This past Saturday I put out a brand new Cuddeback capture camera and a new Reconyx 500 series camera. In fact, I placed them out side by side on my feeder pen fence. I feed protein out of a gravity feeder here so I knew there would be plenty of opportunity for photos. I did this to examine the difference between these two trail cameras as I have had a few problems with my Cuddeback game cameras.

The protein feeder is going through about 300 pounds of protein every seven to 10 days, so there is a lot of activity at this feeder. The next morning I went out and retrieved both flash cards to see what the game cameras had seen. I have to admit that I was not surprised by the results. I have been told that the Cuddeback has a narrow motion sensing cone as compared to other camera manufacturers. The purpose of this is to cut down on all the pictures of moving grass, tree limbs, and what not, but I also thought it could mean missed animals.

The Cuddeback had six pictures on it and the Reconyx had 40 photos! The Cuddeback took photos of one doe and one raccoon, but the Reconyx had pictures of six total deer, three bucks and three does, as well as the raccoon. More than a bit discouraging considering the Cuddeback missed five other deer that were in the feeder pen during the course of the night with out capturing any of them.

After this test, I tend to believe that the Cuddeback is all hype and a lot of high-dollar advertising. In addition to having had a lot of functional problems with the Cuddebacks, it also lost the head-to-head contest to Reconyx. I don’t know how it would compare to other game cameras used in scouting for whitetail hunting. The Reconyx does cost more, but it sure seems worth it after comparing the photos.

Most hunters do not realize that Texas has a special black powder season hunting season for white-tailed deer. In most cases, it takes place after the general hunting season, but it could be well worth the wait. Black powder is an effective way to extend your hunting season and put some additional venison in the freezer. Check out the following story submitted by a Colorado County deer hunter:

Well, after doing some research at stores and on the internet, I went out and purchased a Thompson Center Omega for Colorado County’s Muzzleloader Only Extended General Season.

Well, I went hunting on Saturday afternoon and had 3 Spikes and an 11 to 12 inch wide 8 point come out to the food plot. I passed on these guys (the spikes; the 8 point was not legal) in hope of something better, but those were the only deer sightings of the evening.

I returned Sunday for another afternoon of whitetail hunting at about 5:15 and the 3 spikes came back out again. Being the last day of the season, I decided to pick out the biggest spike (body and antler) and take my shot at 100 yards. In the excitement of pulling the trigger–and all the smoke surrounding the stand–all I see is 3 deer running away.

Unknowing if I had hit or missed, I reload and walk out to examine the site where the deer was standing. Finding blood, and very nice blood trail, I walk 30 steps into the timber and find the buck down–a perfect lung shot behind the shoulder!

The 250 grain bullet packed with 100 grain of powder entered between two ribs on the right side of the buck and exited breaking three ribs on the left.

An exciting year of whitetail hunting! This year I killed my first buck with a bow on October 17 and took my first buck with a muzzleloader on January 17. I don’t think I’ll ever pull my 30.06 out again.