Trail cameras boon to Aroostook big game hunters

By Bill Graves
Special to the Pioneer Times
    If you recognize the name Alan Funt and his stock phrase, “Smile —You’re on Candid Camera,” chances are you’re from the Baby Boomer generation. Back in the 1960s, Candid Camera turned into a big hit TV show for several years. Ordinary folks were caught on hidden video cameras in some really outrageous and hilarious situations. It’s safe to say those of us who turned into avid hunters never realized how important a role hidden cameras might one day play in our own lives.
TROPHY — Andrew Brown, formerly of Houlton and currently residing in Cornville, last Wednesday shot this 801 pound, 15-point bull moose in Township 6 Range 13 in northern Piscataquis County. The animal had an antler spread of 55 1/2 inches. Pictured from left are:  Brown’s brother-in-law, Ryan Burton of Mt. Vernon; Brown; his father, Wayne of Houlton  and his brother Chris of Gray.
    As an outdoor writer, I’m in the habit of carrying at least a couple of cameras year around in hopes of photographing wild game of any shape and size. And like most regional anglers and hunters, a camera in the vehicle, boat or backpack serves to record successful cast and blast outings with trophy photos. Over the last decade however, remote, self-operating field cameras have become just as much a key to deer, bear, and moose hunting success as a rifle and shells.
    Scouting is and always has been the key to locating bragging size bucks, bruins and bulls, but one man can only check out a limited number of areas. With increased hunting pressure, more and more posted land, and a devastating decrease in deer population, locating good gunning locations has become even more of a challenge. This is where a couple of properly placed trail cameras can winnow out and eliminate certain areas that would be a waste of precious hunting time.
    Twenty-five years ago, there were few spots in Aroostook’s forest where deer didn’t pass by regularly due to the vast numbers of whitetails. Nowadays, still-hunting or sitting in a stand yields a long, fruitless day if proper scouting hasn’t preceded the hunt. While tracks, rubs, scrapes, beds and game trails all indicate regular deer use, proof of the pudding lies in regular photos of bucks during legal shooting hours. Bear and moose hunters need the same guidance—perhaps most of the animals are traveling at night or are too small to warrant setting up a stand. Trail cameras yield irrefutable evidence while saving sportsmen time, effort and money on gas for travel.
    Several reputable companies manufacture a wide variety of game cameras with reasonable prices and a selection of features. Original models used 35mm film, but digital units are now the rage and offer instant info to the user. Crisp, clear photos with time and date stamp on each, regardless of weather, temperature, or light conditions. Besides time and date stamping, other desirable features include a fast trigger speed and dependable motion sensor, adjustable interval between photos, rapid-fire multiple photos per trigger, a tough exterior with simple operating buttons inside, and a durable tree attachment system.
    A few fancier outfits boast an interior monitor to view photos on the spot, infrared flash to prevent spooking wild game, internal memory and an interchangeable SD card slot, multiple mega-pixel settings and even temperature, barometric and moon phase imprints. One expensive top-of-the line unit will even auto dial your cell phone or home computer and transfer the photos from miles away!
    Prices range from less than one hundred dollars per trail camera to well over one thousand for elite models. Proven name brands include Bushnell, Moultrie, Cuddeback, Wildview and SteathCam. I’ve used the Bushnell Trophy Cam and the Bushnell Bone Collector for the last two seasons with great results, they are currently the most compact trail cameras on the market and take lightening fast, crystal clear digital photos. Best of all, they are simple to set up and easy to use.
    Whitetail deer are scarce and bucks-only hunting make success difficult, our moose seasons are short, allowing shooters only six days to fill what may be a once in a lifetime permit. Black bear are more plentiful this season, but big, old bruin are smart and extremely crafty. Matching wits with big game animals is always a challenge and when Aroostook weather conditions and hunting pressure add on, modern miracles like trail cameras help even the odds. As we swing to prime hunting in the Crown of Maine, give some thought to trying a candid game camera and you really will have a reason to smile.