I have put my cameras out around May 15th for the past 3 years. This is at the end of our turkey season and the beginning of what I called the deer growing season. This is where does are having their fawns, bucks are growing antlers, and both are putting weight back on for the winter. I put my cameras out to see where the deer are located, take a count of the unique deer we have, see how our fawn recruitment is in June, and to monitor the antler growth of bucks over the summer. The antler growth is the real reason to check these cameras. Around July, I will start to pattern these deer getting ready for the September bow season. I place my cameras in known deer areas with some type of attractant usually corn, soybeans, or left over peanuts.
I just checked my first batch of trail camera pictures. I currently have 13 cameras placed on our hunting lease in Georgia. I was pleased in some areas and disappointed in others. This year is the earliest I have gotten two shooter bucks on cameras with outstanding antler growth. These two deer are shown below and I think they are 4 ½ year olds no worse than 3 ½ year olds. I also got some pictures of some very pregnant does that I also showed below. They are definitely carrying twins. I will keep updating this BLOG as I get pictures during the summer.
