Game Camera Hints, Suggestions and Tactics

Game cameras offer the outdoor enthusiast a unique perspective into the habits of many unique and interesting animals. Since I began using these units, I have captured hundreds of different photos and videos of coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, deer, red/gray squirrels, bear, turkeys, porcupine, moose and songbirds.

While the possibilities for the naturalist and wild life watcher are numerous, game cameras offer hunters the ability to use data, collected from the field, to pinpoint game animals, there movements/patterns and target hunting times and locations that will most likely link sportsmen with the animal being hunted. In support of these valuable hunting tools, here are a few hints and suggestions I have amassed through the years.
 -------------------------------------------------
Where & How to Place Your Game Camera: 

1. Place game camera facing north. If faced into the sun the photos will be washed out. 
2. Make sure there is no vegetation in front of camera, for aesthetics and to avoid false triggers. 
3. Point at a 45 degree angle to a game trail (NOT perpendicular). 
4. Set cameras at areas that funnel animals (edges of bodies of water, trails, etc.) 
5. Place camera 15-20 feet from the intended photo area. - Most trail cameras can detect motion out to at least 30'. Unfortunately, some flashes don't reach out past 20'. In addition, night pictures taken at 10' or closer can experience “White Out”. 
6. If you’re strapping your camera to a tree make sure it's large enough to not blow in the wind. 
7. Place camera 24”-36” off the ground. - Also, attach your camera lower than 24” and you'll likely get pictures of small undesirable creatures. Higher than 36” you risk missing targeted animals. 

---------------------------
Hints & Suggestions for Setting Your Game Camera:  

1. Place camera in live mode, wait for time out period to expire and trigger camera to make sure it works. This also sets a reference date and time. 
2. Turn camera on and confirm all settings, especially date & time. 
3. Test batteries and replace as necessary. Buy a battery tester, it will prove invaluable. 
4. Check and verify motion detector's range. Test it out at home. 

---------------------------
Care of your Game Camera: 

1. Your best defense against theft is a well hidden camera. 
2. Place moisture absorbing packs inside camera case if necessary. 
3. Make sure the glass in front of the lens is spotless. Small smudges show up really big in pictures. 
4. Cold temperatures will eventually kill game cameras. 
5. Make sure your hands are free of scent BEFORE handing the camera!

Outdoor Cooking

Photo by @TammyLeaPhoto

I offer a word of caution when working around open flames. Be sure to have a fire extinguisher, water hose and shovel handy should the flames escape the pit. Carefully remove any hazards that may cause an individual to trip or fall in the pit area. Wear fire retardant clothing that will not combust if hit by an errant spark. NO FLEECE JACKETS! Heavy welding gloves are also invaluable. Lastly use your head and think, as there will always be unforeseen hazards. 

Those uninitiated with the art of cooking anything outside need to understand that cooking in this manner is an art form. Using a difficult to regulate heating source is a skill that I have honed over the years. Some of these acquired skills I would like to share in hopes that you pass this tradition on to your family and friends.

Maybe I am a bit of a caveman, but for me there is a primitive allure associated with cooking over the open flames of a wood fueled fire that cannot be duplicated by a kitchen stove or gas grill. It stirs something deep in my soul to gather firewood, build a fire pit and organize a strategy for the food preparation. Cooking outside for me is a labor of love, this is not LOW stress cooking this is NO stress cooking, a time for relaxation and reflection.

There are several good baked bean recipes out there in cyberspace and several I have mentioned in previous blog posts including: Hot and Spicy Baked Beans and Grandmas Bake Beans Enjoyed Outdoors. What I have not until NOW blogged in any previous post is my Grandmother’s actual award winning bake bean recipe. After much consideration, I have decided that I should share so everyone can enjoy it, after all, I know Grandma would have wanted I that way.

The secret to making great baked beans on a fire pit is time and temperature. Beans cook best with a slow, constant temperature . . . not necessarily an easy task over an open fire. With practice, however, even a novice will quickly learn to tame a raging fire and make it into a valuable cooking tool. Hmmm, I think I smell future blog post. 

Grandma’s Baked Beans
2 Pounds of Kidney Beans
4 Cups of Water
2/3 Cup of Molasses
1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar
1 Large Vidalia Onion, Finely Chopped
2 Packages of Salt Pork
2 tbsp. Prepared Mustard 

Directions: 
Put all ingredients in a Dutch oven and slow cook for 3-4 hours.

Hints: 
- Soak and par-boil baked beans ahead of time. They can be frozen as well if needed.
- Adjust fire to simmer the beans and make sure they do not boil over
- For a “kick” add 1 ½ Cups of “Sweet Baby Rays” BBQ Sauce and 6 tbsp. of finely chopped chipotle chilies
- Stir and monitor bean frequently
- Monitor bean doneness by checking the consistency of the bean about every ½ hour. Beans should be soft but not to soft.
-------------------------------------------------
When the beans are about 45 minutes from being done, you should start preparing the bread.

Bannock Bread 
1 Cup White Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 cup Dry Milk Powder
1 tbsp. Shortening
1/2 Cup Water

Directions: 
Put all ingredients in a 1 quart Ziploc bag and mix until no longer lumpy. Use a knife or scissors to cut out one corner of the Ziploc bag and squeeze the bag contents into a frying pan. Spread evenly with spoon.

Hints: 
- Try adding ¼ tsp. Sugar
- Coat your pan with olive oil or cooking spray for a non-stick surface
- Add water SLOWLY! Sometimes 1/2 cups is a little too much!
-------------------------------------------------
There is of course nothing better than washing down a hardy meal with a steaming cup of Maine guide coffee.

Mule Hunting Clothes

Mule Hunting Clothes When You Care Enough To Wear The Very Best! 



"Mule Hunting Clothes” was founded more than 30 years ago by Emet Brohard of Greenville, Ohio. Emet was a beagler and serious hunter who grew tired of wading through briars and the thorny woods, tearing his clothing to ribbons. Mule Hunting Clothes grew out of Emet's desire to give back to the hunting community, by designing a line of clothing able to stand up to the rigors of the outdoors. He wished to create clothing that was puncture resistant, tear proof, waterproof and a benefit to any hunter whether they pursued rabbit, coon, hog, deer, moose or squirrel. Even those who horseback ride, ice fish, ATV or snowmobile can benefit from these reliable and rugged bibs, pants, chaps and briar proof shirts.

Seeing their ad in a local sporting magazine, I called ”Mule” and ordered a set of their hunting pants and shirt. Not knowing exactly what to expect, I was excited when the package finally arrived and anxious to check out the items. I was immediately impressed by the quality of the merchandise and determined that the first order of business would be to see how it would hold up to the rigors of a serious Maine rain storm.

Not yet being hunting season here in Maine, I decided that if the pants could stand up to the rigors of a long day on the woodlot they would likely be a valuable addition to my hunting arsenal. The test day was typical of Maine in the fall, cold and wet. While I certainly don’t mind being cold and I also don’t mind being wet, a combination of the two can make for a long day in the woods and potentially even be life threatening. Since it is a frequent occurrence in Maine to be hit by inclement weather with very or little notice, having good clothing to keep you dry is an absolute necessity. Not only did it keep me dry through several downpours but it also wears like iron. One thing that stands out with Mule clothing is that it is not clothing easily worn out, made of 1000 Denier Cordura and will last for many, many season of hard use.