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Infrared scare deer

cecil30-30

cecil30-30

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I've been useing my moultrie D50 with the white flash in the same mineral site for the past 2 years,but when It stopped working I put a Bushnell trophy cam in its place,the one with the infrared flash where it glows red.I noticed that I have alot of deer looking at the camera when the camera takes night time photos. Can deer see the red glow of the infrared? And do you think it bothers them? I mean I got tons of night time photos.Just curious because im needing to purchase another trail cam while my bushnell is being sent off for warranty work,and not sure if I should get another white flash or infrared.
 
I always thought that the deer couldn't see the infrared light. Is it possible that the camera is making some sort of noise? They hear purdy dern well.
 
They can see the red glow cameras just fine. I have found that they will tolerate the regular white flash more than they will tolerate the red glow. I have seen them spook very easily from the red glow.

I will not buy anything except black flash from now on....maybe a white flash for food plots (distance pics). But with the black flash, deer will hang around for hours. I have seen some particular bucks hanging out on one point ALL night long....sometimes triggering the cam every few minutes to every hour ALL night. It's amazing what you can learn when they're not spooked at all.

They have a new Bushnell black flash out now that (so far) has had good reviews, but only time will tell - $299.00....just something to think about
 
Yes they can see it. Only ones they cant see are the black flash models. I have noticed less scare with my white flash models over my red glow cams but everyone experiences different.
 
As others have said, the so-called "infra-red" cams use both infra-red and visible red light for illumination purposes, hence are commonly called "red-glow" cams. Deer can easily see the red glow.

Now every deer is an individual and some won't care what type of illumination is used, but most deer will become wary of both white-flash and red-glow cams. The only illumination that can't be seen by deer are the black-flash (true infra-red) cams. As JCDEERMAN pointed out, you won't believe how much you're missing by using visible flash cams until you try a true black-flash.

The problem is, few companies are trying to make black-flash cams because it is difficult technology to perfect. Until recently, the only choices were very expensive ($600+). However, last year, Uway made a somewhat successful foray into the market, and this year several companies are producing black-flash units. Only time will tell if they function well, but so far, the Bushnell 466c and 467c models are getting good reviews.
 
As others have said, I have found more deer spook at the infrared cameras than the white flash. However, not all deer spook at the infrared. To me, the benefit of the infrared was worth the downside. I look forward to the day when the black-flash cameras become affordable.
 
jw0312 said:
I always thought that the deer couldn't see the infrared light.
Click to expand...
If it were "true" infrared, you would be correct.
Unfortunately, many of the trail cam manufacturers have been putting out false advertising about their "infrared" cams.

Only the ones advertised as "black" flash infrared are invisible.

Generally speaking, I've found little difference in which is more likely to spook a deer regarding traditional white camera flash vs. the red-glow so-called "infrared". Most deer will not take off running from either, but older deer in particular will quickly start walking around the cam to avoid setting it off. On the other hand, some deer don't seem bothered by bright flashes repeatedly going off just a few feet away, but most will start avoiding spending much time in front of the cams that "flash" them with either "red" or "white" light.
 
The main advantage I see to the "red-glow" so called "infrared" cams is they are less visible to humans when they flash than traditional "white" flash. That may or may not be worth much, depending on the set-up.

The disadvantages are you get a shorter flash range, black & white nighttime images, typically "grainier" nighttime images than most white flash cams, more problems with "blurry" images on moving deer, and relatively higher cost vs. white flash.

Others have pointed out the obvious advantages of true "black" flash infrared, but the black-flash models also have some disadvantages. Black-flash disadvantages include even less flash range than red-glow, and even more problems with blurry images on moving deer, not to mention being more expensive than comparable red or white-flash cams.

One more disadvantage to true black flash:
They can be more time consumptive to set-up, check-on, and service in the field, since you cannot see them flash. I often walk in front of my cams that are out during deer season, just to see them flash, verifying they are working. Can't do that with black flash cams.
 
Wes Parrish said:
jw0312 said:
I always thought that the deer couldn't see the infrared light.
Click to expand...
If it were "true" infrared, you would be correct.
Unfortunately, many of the trail cam manufacturers have been putting out false advertising about their "infrared" cams.

Only the ones advertised as "black" flash infrared are invisible.

Generally speaking, I've found little difference in which is more likely to spook a deer regarding traditional white camera flash vs. the red-glow so-called "infrared". Most deer will not take off running from either, but older deer in particular will quickly start walking around the cam to avoid setting it off. On the other hand, some deer don't seem bothered by bright flashes repeatedly going off just a few feet away, but most will start avoiding spending much time in front of the cams that "flash" them with either "red" or "white" light.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I've never bought or used any trail cams, but I've been thinking about starting to use 'em. Dang deceptive marketing...
 
Wes Parrish said:
Others have pointed out the obvious advantages of true "black" flash infrared, but the black-flash models also have some disadvantages. Black-flash disadvantages include even less flash range than red-glow, and even more problems with blurry images on moving deer, not to mention being more expensive than comparable red or white-flash cams.
Click to expand...

Well said Wes. Every type of camera has avantages and disadvantages, black-flash included. And you did a good job of detailing the negatives with black-flash.
 
I'm running five ir cameras and I know my deer are scared of it. They will even run away sometimes. They csn see it. I have 1000 pics this week on them and all of them were scared of the infared.
 
Used an infra red for the first time this year, and yes I had plenty of "looking" pics...looking at the cam that is, way more then with the traditional white flash I've used in the past out there.
 
BigWes5o said:
Interesting never would have thought that deer would be more scared of red glow to white flash cams
Click to expand...

My take is deer have been conditioned by natural lightning flashes (most of which are distant and not in the presence of loud thunder). The "white" flash of a trail cam may be perceived as just another "lightning" flash in the distance.

By contrast, deer possibly associate the red glow with the glow of a predator�s eyes. At the very least, a "red glow" is probably not as natural as a flash of lightning.

"Scared" my not be the best work to describe a typical deer's reaction to either white or red-glow flashes. It's usually more like they notice, then avoid. They don't typically leave the country, but rather avoid getting back in that same exact spot. If it's a spot they really want to get to badly, such as a salt lick, their reaction may be to simply visit less often and stay for less time per visit.

They tend to "avoid", as in simply walking a few feet farther away from or walking behind that "flashing" tree when they want to come thru the area. I do not think trail cams typically put much "scare" into deer. However, it does seem that more mature deer are more likely to completely stop using a particular salt lick once they've been "flashed".

Can often point that same trail cam in the opposite direction and find these deer walking behind the tree, but not visiting that salt lick. To have the best odds of seeing more different deer, the cams need to be relocated a few yards periodically, and/or simply placed on the opposite side of the tree. But once an older deer has been "flashed" all around a particular spot, he will likely start going farther around that spot (such as another 30 yards farther away when he passes). Then again, SOME deer seem totally not bothered by repeatedly being flashed even at close distances.
 
I have 20 pics. last night of one that just stomped at the white flash ,they are not afraid of it,curious ,I guess.
But put something in their environment that they have never experienced and away they will go. especially this time of year with the young not far off.
 
Just remember we are talking about two different behaviors. One is camera "spook," where deer jump away from the camera's flash, and the other is camera "avoidance," where deer learn to avoid walking in front of the camera and triggering the flash.
 
I use the moultrie d -40's or 50's...?.....and i can say for sur
e that after several pics the deer just start noticing....
 

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