Robert A. Pierce II
Fisheries and Wildlife State Specialist
School of Natural Resources

Jason Sumners
Missouri Department of Conservation

Emily Flinn
Formerly with the Missouri Department of Conservation

Implementing a sound, quality deer management program depends on obtaining accurate survey data. Obtaining accurate census data requires the ability to collect reliable estimates of deer density on your property. Many hunters use infrared-triggered digital trail cameras to scout and pattern bucks on their property. This type of trail camera may be the best tool available to landowners for determining important demographic characteristics of the deer herd on their property. A camera survey can be used to monitor population demographic trends of deer densities, age structure, sex ratio and fawn recruitment. This guide outlines how to conduct a camera survey on your property.

Conducting a camera survey

The two time periods during which camera surveys are typically conducted are preseason and postseason. Because attractants or bait such as corn are used during camera surveys, preseason surveys should be conducted in August so as not to be in conflict with baiting regulations. Scheduling a postseason survey in Missouri is much more of a challenge. Postseason surveys should be done before the casting, or shedding, of antlers but not at a time that would violate baiting regulations. For these reasons, we recommend a preseason, late-August camera survey.

To lay out a camera survey, you will need a map or aerial photo of the property. Aerial photos are available through the following websites:

• MU Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems (CARES), https://allthingsmissouri.org/missouri-map-room
• Missouri Department of Conservation GIS Mapping Service, https://dnr.mo.gov/data-e-services/land-geology
• Google Earth, http://earth.google.com/

On the map or aerial photo, lay out a grid that divides the property into cells equal to the number of cameras you intend to use. Usually, one camera per 100 acres is sufficient. Locate each camera station near the center of a cell in an area with convenient access that is likely to be visited by deer.

Once you have identified the locations of the camera stations, bait each area with about 50 pounds of corn about one week before beginning the survey. Replenish corn as necessary to ensure bait is always present.

Set up the cameras when deer begin to visit the bait site on a regular basis.

• Set cameras to print the date and time on each photograph (Figure 1).
• Program cameras to take photos on a 1- to 10-minute delay. Although shorter delays may result in numerous pictures of the same deer and will increase the time required to analyze the photos, they may also result in photos of individual deer that appear only briefly at a bait site.
• Use the high-resolution settings on your cameras to aid in identifying bucks. Grainy or low-quality photos decrease the likelihood of differentiating individual bucks.
• At each station, place a camera about 12 feet from the bait pile. Face the camera north or south to avoid sunlight glare. Attach it to a tree or post about 30 inches above the ground, and aim it directly over the bait pile, not at it. Put a small sign with a unique number in the background to make identification of the camera station easier during data analysis.
• Allow cameras to run day and night.

Run the camera survey for 10 to 14 days. Check stations every four to five days to ensure bait remains and cameras are working properly and have sufficient battery life and memory card space. Replenish bait and replace camera batteries and memory cards as needed. Each camera will function differently, so rely on previous experience regarding battery life and memory card capacity.

Figure 1. Identifying individual bucks is easier with high-resolution photographs that are date- and time-stamped.
 

Analyzing the data

When the survey period is complete, begin analyzing the photographs.

• Record the number of bucks, does, fawns and unidentifiable deer in each photo.
• Separate buck photos from the others.
• Identify each individual buck using antler and body characteristics. Then, count the number of unique bucks photographed.

Managing thousands of photos can be a challenge. To make it easier, develop a system for organizing all the photos taken during the survey. One good way to manage the photos is to create a folder for each camera station and put all the photos from each station in the station's folder. Then, copy all the buck photos into a "buck" folder for further analysis.

Use the time and date stamp, as well as location, to help differentiate bucks. Yearling bucks are especially difficult to identify as many of them look exactly the same. Opening multiple pictures for viewing, or printing all buck pictures may allow for better differentiation of individuals. After all photographs have been analyzed, calculate population estimates as illustrated in Table 1.

Table 1. Example of calculating population estimates using a camera density of one camera per 100 acres for 10 nights on a 1,000-acre property.

Additional information

• Jacobson, Harry A. et al. 1997. "Infrared-triggered cameras for censusing white-tailed deer." Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:547–56.