White-tailed Deer Camera Surveys

Improving habitat for and sustainable herd management of Indiana’s most abundant and popular game animal, the white-tailed deer, has become increasingly popular among deer hunters and forest landowners. Estimating and examining local white-tailed deer population characteristics may aid private landowners and forest managers in making various decisions regarding wildlife habitat improvement and management, as well as strategic and sustainable deer herd management.

Trail/game camera surveys are a relatively reliable and cost-effective method for estimating white-tailed deer population characteristics. Various research suggests trail/game camera surveys are capable of photographically recording 80 to 90 percent (or more) of a local deer population, depending on the survey length and design. Using camera surveys to estimate deer population characteristics, such as density, sex ratio, fawn crop, and age structure, provides valuable insight in the demographics and productivity of a particular deer population.

A trail or game camera photo of three white-tailed deer bucks feeding on a bait pile of corn.

What’s Included in Our Deer Camera Surveys:

The following are provided to the client/landowner in a formal written report (PDF):

  • General survey information (location, survey length, bait used, etc.)
  • Total estimated number of bucks, does, and fawns
  • Total estimated deer population
  • Does per buck ratio
  • Fawns per doe ratio/Fawn recruitment rate
  • Density Estimate
  • Survey Results: Interpretations & Discussion
  • Management Recommendations
  • Graphs displaying population trends (when consecutive surveys are conducted)
  • A sample of the collected camera photos (if one of our cameras were utilized)

Timing of Deer Camera Surveys:

Ideally, camera surveys should be conducted in the summer, but before hunting season begins (approximately June through August in Indiana) AND/OR after active hunting has stopped/slowed, but before the bucks shed their antlers (approximately December to early February in Indiana). While biannual surveys provide the best insight into deer population characteristics, if you only desired one survey (or one survey per year), we recommend conducting it in the summer before hunting season begins for best results.

Survey Options

Surveys are offered to clients in two ways: (1) The client sets up the camera(s) and is responsible for re-baiting the camera station(s) as necessary and for providing us with the photos necessary, OR (2) We will provide all the materials and labor necessary to set up the camera(s), rebait the station(s), and retrieve the photos. Contact us for a quote!

To learn about the benefits of a deer camera survey, visit our blog post: Benefits of White-tailed Deer Camera Surveys