I read a series of articles about using trail cameras to conduct deer population surveys. I have summarized how to do it here. Thought it might be useful to some folks.

Conducting a scientific deer survey on your hunting property can yield valuable information about the deer herd in your area. It can be done very cost effectively, especially if you already own trail cameras. To conduct such a survey on your property, follow these steps.

1> Select one site for about each 100 acres on your property where deer normally travel. Avoid selecting sites that are close together, but use common sense in selecting areas commonly used by deer.
2> Pre-bait each site about one week before you plan to take your survey. If using corn as bait, use 10 to 15 lbs at each site. Lower amounts of corn help guard against aflatoxin, which can occur when corn becomes damp.
3> When you are satisfied that deer are eating your bait and not other animals, re-bait your sites and place your cameras at the sites. Place your cameras well within the cameras flash range of the bait in order to obtain the highest quality pictures.
4> Ensure that your batteries and film are fresh every two or three days. If you are using digital cameras, make sure your storage media is not full. After the cameras have been in place for ten days, collect your pictures.
5> Count the number of identifiable UNIQUE bucks, taking care not to include duplicate animals. If you are unsure as to whether a particular buck is unique, leave it out of your count.
6> Count the TOTAL number of bucks in your pictures. Each buck is counted if it is identifiable as a buck, whether or not the animal is unique.
7> Divide the number of UNIQUE bucks by the number of TOTAL bucks in your pictures. This is your population factor.
8> Count the TOTAL number of does and fawns in your pictures.
9> Multiply the TOTAL number of does and fawns by your population factor obtained in step7.
10> Add the number of UNIQUE bucks to the population adjusted TOTAL number of does and fawns obtained in step 9. This is your estimated total deer population.

Once you have obtained this information, it is a simple matter to calculate your buck to doe ratio and your fawn to doe ratio. You may even determine the age structure of your population if your age classing skills are sufficient to age deer from photographs.

Can this be done any time of the year ? Something tells me winter time would be a better time . Less of a food source for them and they are on the look out for food .

I just may try this . Only thing I have to do is find a spot the deer like

A really good time to do it is a couple of weeks after season ends. Food is short and after a couple of weeks the deer usually drop their guard somewhat.

Great idea. How often should the camera take a picture? or video?