Setting Up Your Cellular Trail Camera for Success: A comprehensive guide

In this article, we are going to walk you through some of the key considerations for establishing the perfect trail camera location on your hunting property when utilizing the Stealth Cam Revolver Pro 360° Cellular trail camera.

Planning and preparation are vital for all aspects of a successful hunt. This idea applies to everything from maintaining your firearm skills in the offseason, your general fitness levels, and all the way down to simple tasks like checking the batteries of your electronics. Part of the planning process is how you scout your property and observe animal movement to establish a baseline for what you can expect when opening day arrives.

One of the most innovative products that we have integrated in to our scouting program this year is the all new Revolver Pro 360° cellular trail camera from Stealth Cam. What makes this cellular trail camera so unique is that it is capable of capturing a 360° panoramic view of the area surrounding your camera. Having now used the enhanced image capture functionally of the Revolver Pro 360° cellular trail camera for a few months, it has become very evident that we have been missing out on valuable insights related to animal traffic on our property.

The Revolver Pro 360° enhances your scouting.

With a 360° panoramic capable cellular trail camera, your odds of capturing animal movement increases exponentially. The trail camera not only takes 360° images, it has 360° motion sensors that trigger the image capture. This is what drives the single camera contained inside of the camera body to capture the first image at zone 1 and then move to the 5 remaining camera zones to paint the picture of what is happening at the location of your camera. We have received numerous photos where the motion that triggered the image capture was set off by a deer and on the opposite side of the camera, there was one or more deer grazing through the same area. Without the panoramic view provided by the Revolver Pro 360° cellular trail camera we would have only identified a single deer.

Finding the best location for your Revolver Pro 360°

To find the best location for your trail camera, there is no better way to start than by doing some digital reconnaissance of the area you plan to hunt. you can use aerial maps to help shape the picture of what you will see when you get on site, and this extra step of planning before you leave your house will give you a huge edge when it comes to maximizing your time on site.

One of my favorite tools to use for scouting is HuntStand. The HuntStand app has available integrations with the Stealth Cam Command Pro app and has numerous map layers to help you determine where you can hunt and the terrain of potential hunting grounds. We recently reviewed the HuntStand app which you can check out here.

Once you’ve identified your target areas using aerial maps, it’s time to head to the woods to place your Revolver Pro 360° cellular trail camera.

Let’s jump into some of the key considerations when you are setting up your camera!

How to Optimize Your Trail Camera Placement

1. Select High-Traffic Zones:
   To get the most out of your  Revolver Pro 360°, it’s important to place it in areas with the highest likelihood of animal activity. This seems like a no brainer, but just because you think an area looks like a whitetail super highway doesn’t mean that it is. Look for physical signs such as:
2. Tracks and Trails: Clear indicators of animal movement such as a well-worn path or trail. Try to spend some time following the tracks you find to uncover areas where multiple sets of tracks converge. When you invest the time tracking during the off season, you can better understand where deer may be bedding, feeding, or just passing through. This information will help you understand not only the proper location for your camera, but also for your blind or tree stand.
3. Droppings: Fresh droppings indicate recent activity and can help you determine which animals are frequenting the area. If you are unfamiliar with whitetail droppings, they will look like a small pile of pebbles. You’ll find them along frequented paths, near water sources, feeding areas, and bedding areas.
4. Feeding Areas: Look for areas with signs of feeding, such as disturbed ground or evidence of grazing. While a feeding area is a great place to start, you should also do a thorough investigation of the area as you may be able to better hone in on where the deer are entering or exiting and if they have a bedding area close by.

Once you have identified a high value target area, position your camera at the heart of these active zones. With the 360° capability of the Revolver Pro 360°, your best bet will be to identify a central location to allow the camera to do it’s magic. The Revolver Pro 360° includes a T-Post mounting bracket and we have found that this is one of the best methods for mounting your camera as it provides an unobstructed view for the cameras.  Users can also purchase one of Stealth Cam’s ground mounts as well which work great for placing cameras in the appropriate location.

2. Consider the Terrain:
   Understanding the terrain where you place your camera is also an important factor for optimal performance:

• • Stable Ground: Ensure the camera is mounted on solid ground to prevent it from shifting or falling.
  • Varied Terrain: Place your camera where the terrain varies, such as at the intersection of trails or near water sources. It may not always be an option to set your camera up in an area with a crop field on one side and a water source on the other. What you are primarily looking for is an area that has diversity and the possibility to capture animals as they are lingering nearby or passing through.

3. Ensure a Clear Line of Sight:
   A clear line of sight is critical for capturing accurate and useful footage:

• • Obstructions: Check the area around the camera for any obstacles such as dense foliage or tree branches that could obstruct the camera’s view. I find it is always a good idea to pull and tall grasses or vegetation that surround the camera. I do this because as winds pick up those grasses can trigger the camera and you could end up with dozens of photos of plant life.
  • Camera Height and Angle: You will want to make sure to position the camera about 4-6 feet off the ground. The average whitetail buck stands under 4 feet at the shoulder and a camera that is placed too high will not give you a clear picture of what you are seeing.

4. Consider Your Power Source:

If you plan to use one of the available FieldMAX or SOL-PAK solar solutions from Stealth Cam:

• • Sun Position: Ensure that you have your solar panel angled to receive ample sunlight throughout the day to effectively recharge the built-in battery bank.
  • Cord Management: When possible, coil the solar panel cords around the T-post or ground mount to avoid accidental unplugging caused by inquisitive animals.

5. Review and Adjust:
   After setting up your camera, it’s important to:

• • Review and Adjust:
    After setting up your camera, it’s important to:
  • Review Footage Regularly: Check the images frequently to assess if the camera is capturing the desired areas. When you are onsite, you’ll want to use the on demand image capture functionality within the Command app. This will help to ensure that your placement is ideal and ready for action. Once the camera is in use, don’t be afraid to relocate it if you are not seeing the animal traffic you imagined.

Your Revolver Pro 360° is an incredible tool that will help you truly understand what you have frequenting your hunting land and give you valuable insights to craft the perfect plan for hunting your hunting season. Take the time to prepare and research your terrain before setting the camera up so that when the notifications start hitting your phone, you can be excited about the results of all your hard work.

You can read more about the Revolver Pro 360° in our review and once you have your camera set up, you can submit your photos on the OutdoorHub Game Trail to be featured!

Check out the Revolver Pro 360° on the Stealth Cam website where you can also learn about all of the other great cellular trail camera products they have to offer.