I started with trail cameras about 2-3 weeks ago. I've got 4 now, and my total investment, including 32g SD cards and batteries is about $375-400, with the cameras being $99, $54, $54, & $50. I've been to "my area" 6 times now in the last few weeks, and have seen people out there 2 times. All my cameras are still there, however, one of them i just relocated literally right on the side of the fire road. I have it wrapped in burlap and camouflaged with some brush and branches, but, if you stand right in front of it it sticks out like a sore thumb. I'm hoping someone riding by on their bike is going more than 1-2MPH and will never notice it. It was raining when I set it up so hopefully my scent was washed off.
The way I see it, deer hunting in SoCal is always going to be a roll of the dice, and you gotta pay to play. If I can't afford to lose a camera or two every year, perhaps I should stick to getting all my meat from Albertsons and Costco. I feel pretty fortunate that I work for myself and earn a good living, which allows me to basically go out whenever I want
