Predator Trail Camera

If you ask me what I could not be without this season, I would have to say I absolutely could not be without my Predator trail cams. These cameras (I have one Xtinction and one Evolution XR) get big thumbs up from me. We have been tracking our split-tine buck and his movements and these cameras have been invaluable. They are so easy to use and to program.

They take 10 AA batteries and I can change them out with rechargeable batteries that I have ready to go, right in the field. Predator says the batteries will last up to 6 wks.  I tried the nicad throw away batteries and got close to 4 weeks out of those. I am finding that I get about 4 days out of the rechargeable batteries I bought. I think a better quality rechargeables would work better.

It is a “True” IR trailcam meaning it never flashes in the faces of the deer and there is no glowing light, yet it provides quality pictures and videos every time even at night.

I love being able to view the pictures or videos on 3.5” color touch screen display out in the field with the ability to pan or zoom in to get a better look . I know right away what has been there, or not been there.

I just lock the pictures or videos I want, delete the ones I don’t want with one push of a button and upload my locked ones onto the flash drive.  I trade-out flash drives and head home. The trail cam never has to come down from where I have it placed eliminating unnecessary trips into the woods. With a two-year old, the less trips the better!

 

The only trouble I have with these cameras is it is a little hard to get the locking device opened when I want to check them. That probably means neither can the bears.  I can usually get it open but it takes some real effort on my part. My hubby on the other hand has no problem opening it. I guess I am just a wimp!

Other Features include:

• MOSSY OAK® Camo

• 4-digit security code to prevent theft

• 5 burst images in under 5 seconds

• Date/time on each image/video

• High resolution, day/night video clips (10-30 sec.)

• Activation delays from 10 sec. to 1 hr.
by 10 sec. increments

 • All glass lenses for superior clarity, not plastic like other leading competitors

 • Built in power jack for optional external 12 volt battery (sold separately)

 • Up to 4 GB per storage device. Store to either a USB

jump drive or compact flash card (sold separately)

 • 100% waterproof indestructible case. Guaranteed for life against anything mother nature can dish out!

Battle of the B.O.W.-Another Pass on the 9pt. Buck

We have totally regrouped. Washed all of our hunting gear again and going after the big guy. We decided to try going after the split-tine since the wind was right for the stand. We got in around 4:30. It was pretty quiet initially.

All of a sudden I feel a tap on the head. Joe is pointing directly behind me and saying buck. I am looking back to see what, and where, when I realize he is 10 yards from the stand, and looking right at us. We sit like statues. Apparently we passed inspection and he walks around the stand doing a scent check. I turn slowly to my right side to watch as he walks right by the stand. I am struggling to get a good look at his horns.

It is the 9pt I passed on the first week. He is bigger than I remember and my heart is pounding wildly again. He gives me several perfect broadside shots, he is taunting me. I am very tempted to shoot since he is bigger than anything I have on the wall, but I know he is still hanging out with the split-tine. He stays there for 1/2 hour eating. It is getting too dark to video but we can hear another deer coming. This one comes from the left of the bait from across the creek. It is too dark to shoot into the woods but we can see flashes of horn and it is a very big deer.  We know it is Split-tine.

We have coyotes start howling very near and the deer disperse.  This gave us a perfect opportunity to get out. A few rocks out of the Grab-it bag to make sure and we are on our way.

OMG, what an awesome hunt that was. The only thing better would have been better lighting to film a shot at the split-tine. We were well within shooting hours. We checked the trail cam pictures and found that both bucks had both been there at noon. Unbelievable!