I recently picked up a new Moultrie i40 trail cam and I thought I would quickly share my preliminary thoughts with ya’ll. When I was looking for a new camera last week, I was primarily concerned in getting a good deal on a middle of the road camera. What I settled on was the Moutrie i40, which according to my research was comparable to a Cuddeback Capture, but a little more affordable for a young guy like me. I was actually able to purchase my camera on the Moultrie official website, as a refurb with a 1-year warranty,  for $119 bucks! This same camera retails for $199 at Cabelas, so I was pretty happy with this find. I knew this wouldn’t be the most amazing camera, but I wanted to focus more on accumulating a higher quantity of decent cameras, rather than just one or two really good/expensive ones.

My Initial Thoughts on the Camera and Picture Quality

• Picture quality in “enhanced mode” was really nice, much better than my other two cameras
• My color photos looked great, my night shots with infrared were about what you can expect with a typical IR
• Of 119 shots on the camera, less than 10 captured any wildlife. Whether this was because of slow trigger speed, my own set-up, or just the realities of wind, I’m not sure.
• I had one MAJOR issue. When trying to switch my camera from “set up” mode to “auto mode”, it would not allow me to switch. I was essentially stuck in “set up”, which means that my camera would not take pictures if I left it. I messed with it for 5 or 10 minutes and finally removed the SD card, powered the camera off and then on again, and this then allowed me to switch to “auto.” This was pretty annoying.

Overall I’d say I’m pretty happy. I knew this wouldn’t be the perfect camera, but provided I don’t have any more issues with my “auto” mode, this ought to be a serviceable and afordable addition to my scouting camera arsenal. If you don’t have a lot of money to throw at cameras, this may be a good option for you to get started with. Here are a few of the pics I captured with my new Moultrie i40.

Can’t get the day off of work but you still want to watch some deer feeding over the corn? Well you’re in luck and you have the ESPN Outdoors Wildlife Camera to thank! The folks at ESPN have set up 24/7 video cameras over a 3 acre food plot. Two cameras cover the area, where corn feeders and C’mere deer has been spread. I think the cameras have been rolling for around a week and there have been sightings of big deer, turkeys, hogs and bears! As I am writing this, I literally watched a black bear walk onto the screen and it is now chowing down right in front of me, LIVE. This is very cool and I can really see myself getting addicted to this. If you can’t be in the blind this morning, you might as well watch some big deer on a live webcam! Awesome idea ESPN!

Here is the description of the Wildlife Camera idea from ESPN.

“This page highlights the wildlife on a food plot we have planted specifically for our readers to enjoy while sitting at their computers.

There’s nothing like being on a deer stand to relieve the stress of the work week. Now smack dab in the middle of the work week, we’re bringing the deer stand to you.

We’ve been monitoring these cameras for about a week and already they have become a regular part of our viewing. Deer and turkey are using the plot on a regular basis. In that short time period, we’ve viewed two bucks sparring, a flock of Jakes running a couple of does around and numerous deer coming in and out of the area.

Just like on a hunt, we don’t know when these deer, turkeys and other wildlife will show up. But like sitting on your stand, morning and evenings are good choices for watching. Even with those peak times, we’ve seen deer and turkeys visit at all hours of the day and night.

Because the wildlife that appears on this camera is free-range and easily accessible, we can’t reveal the location other than to say it’s in the center of the country.

We’ve taken approximately 3 acres, planted it with Evolved Habitats ProVide Forage Clover and Chicory, added a couple of corn feeders, two video cameras with infra-red technology, three motion-sensitive game cameras and sweetened the whole plot with a variety of C’Mere Deer products.

Our expectations are to keep the lines open on this plot from now until May with a continuous stream 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During that time you should be able to watch deer, turkey, possibly bear and other wildlife as they go about their day and night in the wild.”

And for a little update while I’m writing this, a nice big doe has just walked into the area now. Doesn’t seem to be too bothered by the bear…Wait, make it 3 doe haha. I can see my productivity at work going down the drain real fast!!! Check out the ESPN Outdoors Wildlife Camera!

Nice buck getting caught on camera

Trail cameras have been one of the most game changing innovations in the deer hunting world over the last ten or so years. Not only can they provide exciting pictures of wildlife on your land, but they can be a valuable tool for scouting and patterning wily old bucks. Today trail cameras can range in price anywhere from $79 to $600. You can choose from traditional or digital film, flash or no flash, or even with heat detection. The options seem endless as there are dozens of cameras and brands on the market today. Not only can it be difficult to choose the right camera, but it is just as much of a challenge to properly set up and choose the right location to place it. Here is a link to a great video produced by Cabelas providing some helpful tips on setting up your new trail camera. Also check out these other helpful resources for selecting the right camera and setting it up correctly.

Trail Camera Resources:

• TrailCam.com
• North American Whitetail: Trail Cameras. Toy No More
• BigGameHunt.net: An Introduction To Trail Cameras