You'll have to make deer "tacos" now.

Even though deer season is now finished for us, my son & I decided to leave the camera system up & operational for the time being.
The data about deer movement on the property is unquestionably relevant.

Several of the cameras have proved to consume "D" cell alkaline batteries fairly rapidly. (40 to 50 days and replacement is needed)
Cuddeback sells several optional accessories for reducing the hassle of changing out batteries.

The "Home" camera that connects to the cellular network for sending out pictures via the cellular data connection is located inside the cabin.
I purchased a 120 VAC power cube with a short cord that plugs into the bottom of the "Home" camera unit.
Power management is set up so external power is always utilized first, then internal batteries second.
As long as grid power is up and running, internal batteries should last indefinitely for the "Home" unit inside the cabin.

The outside trail camera mounted fifteen feet up in a tree for watching the cabin for security purposes is also a battery eater.
Due to the ground contour between the cabin and the nearby woods, that camera has to be mounted up high for achieving a reasonably centered picture in the camera field of view.
Needless to say, hauling a ladder up to the property during winter for removing the camera from fifteen feet up in a tree for swapping batteries out is a supreme pain in the ass.
Having that surveillance camera up high in the tree also discourages casual theft of the cabin surveillance camera, a camera thief would need to bring an extension ladder to get up to it.

I purchased a remote battery box that contains six "D" alkaline batteries and a special ten foot long wire mesh armored connection cord that plugs into the bottom of the camera and into the
bottom of the remote battery box. I installed about a dozen 3" drywall screws into the rear side of the tree trunk and zip tied the armored cord to the drywall screws.
The ten foot cord length has the remote battery box down at face height now and a ladder is no longer needed for swapping out external power source batteries in the remote battery box.
The same power management plan applies here, external source is consumed first, then internal batteries second.
The armored connection cord and the remote battery box are mounted on the back of the tree trunk, out of casual view.

Cuddeback sells solar panels for indefinite camera operation, but in my humble opinion, that's an invitation for having camera equipment stolen due to solar panel size and visibility.

The daily system report lists all camera battery power levels expressed as a percentage. It even reports which units are connected to an external power source, and reports external power source levels.

Cuddeback also allows switching cellular data plans between ATT and Verizon with the click of a mouse on their website. It's totally seamless and without any hassle.
It's much easier than switching cell providers on a cell phone.
We run Verizon on our personal cell phones and must use a cell network extender at the cabin for using our phones there.
Using the network extender requires keeping the fiber optic broadband internet on.

There is a new ATT cell tower in the valley within five miles of the cabin.
During the middle of winter, we are not using the cabin for recreational or hunting purposes, it's too difficult getting into the cabin from the road due to snow depth.
I switched the camera system data connection over to ATT for the winter, and the cabin broadband will be turned off from January until May, with a savings of $70 per month.

Here are a few recent pictures.

IMG_1987445867 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_1987753861 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_1989300226 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_1990853969 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_1993188582 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_1993384572 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_1994802492 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

The pictures are worth the price of admission (D batteries) solar would be great for the one 15 ft in the tree, think I'd just go with that and stick an Apple Airtag in the case so if some neer-do-well takes it you can track them down and drag them to back 40 of the farm

I bought a solar panel on Amazon for $20 to charge the one battery operated Ring camera.

Always enjoy seeing the pictures of snow from my patio in Florida!

I finally saw the estimate for the Tacoma. And of course, this is before they disassemble the vehicle and spot any hidden damage the original estimate missed. $5300.00 with a $500.00 deductible.
I put the Tacoma back together enough with zip ties so nothing would fall off and get me a flat tire.
I also zip tied a piece of wood behind the left headlight assembly so it's reasonably well aimed so it can be driven while the dealership makes the initial parts order.

The better half was driving the Tacoma the first time it pasted a deer.
So it isn't a deer "virgin" this time. Virtually everything that will be replaced for this time, has already been replaced before.
Those fancy plastic modular headlight pods? In excess of $1000.00 each. This time, maybe only one of them. Last time both of them had broken mounting tabs.
Things are moving along at Insurance Company speed!

The last deer I hit with a vehicle was about 51 years ago. 1964 Chevrolet Impala. It broke one headlight bulb and bent up the bezel ring that holds the headlight bulb into the headlight pot.
My Impala survived and that deer didn't. The 64 Impala was all heavy gauge steel, while the Tacoma is certainly mostly flimsy plastic.

I did have a deer run into the side of a pickup truck I owned more than a decade ago. The pickup truck was stationary when the deer ran into the passenger door.
$300.00 cash to the paintless dent Doctor and it was as good as new without Bondo & painting.

Wildlife pictures continue arriving on an almost daily basis. The deer seem to be struggling now as the only thing green to eat is pine needles.

IMG_2012894004 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2008254870 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2012379341 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2009024346 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2008673926 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2008673925 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

The deer were very active yesterday (01/24/2026) as they are franticly looking for food before the big snowstorm. I have read that whitetail deer have the ability to sense barometric pressure.

IMG_2019302919 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019302918 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019302916 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019302912 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105186 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105185 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105184 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105183 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105182 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105181 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105180 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105177 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105176 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2019105175 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

Ah yes, the infamous white tail butthole shot.

Seen it live too many times

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:
I have read that whitetail deer have the ability to sense barometric pressure.

All deer and elk can, as well as many other animals and insects (bees in particular). Many older folks with arthritis can as well. That's how grandma knew there was a storm coming.

Caught a bobcat with my security cam

https://youtube.com/shorts/_9Q...?si=KFVz_y9VkyhZSx1n

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Caught a bobcat with my security cam

https://youtube.com/shorts/_9Q...?si=KFVz_y9VkyhZSx1n

I've been HRKrolled!

I have been driving a Enterprise rental since January 28th while the Toyota Tacoma was at the Toyota Dealership body shop.
From my deer collision back in mid December.
The rental was a late model GMC Terrain. Not a bad car, but I would never purchase one. It just felt lightweight and flimsy.

I was correct with my collision guesstimate. I said it would exceed $4k. That was low by a lot, the total including my share of the rental, just short of $6500.00 with a $500 deductible.
Everything that was replaced for the this body shop visit has been replaced before when the better half swatted a deer a few years ago.
I was hoping for a discount because all the nuts/bolts/hardware hadn't had time to rust up yet after the first repair.

Something not seen every day, A Fisher. I have seen them twice in person at the property, and twice photographed them with a trail camera.

IMG_2049220034 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

The Tacoma is back from the Toyota Dealership Body Shop, they did a very nice job!

We did a camera system battery change out with all the "D" cell alkaline batteries a few days ago. I carried 32 "D" batteries around in a backpack. The snow is mostly gone.
I had a few days where a few cameras would disappear from the network during cold overnight temperatures, and would reappear the next day when the "almost dead" batteries warmed back up.
All the cameras were also flashed with the most recent firmware version.
Battery recommendations follows for "D" cell alkaline batteries.

Duracell Copper Top. Excessive leakage, potential loss of electronic devices due to corrosion/leakage. Do not use.
Ray-O-Vac. Famous name. Half the number of days of camera operation compared to several other brands. Do not use.
EverReady Energizer. Lasts about 90 days. Stellar performance.
Amazon Basic. Works as good as EverReady Energizer. Stellar performance.

IMG_2052069623 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_2053196437 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

I received another Cuddelink trail camera for my recent birthday.
All the existing Cuddelink cameras have the invisible Black Flash. (to humans and most animals)
The new camera has the IR flash, which has greater distance night capability and better night picture clarity. The downside, it's slightly visible to humans and animals.

We have a patch of Hemlock forest that is a natural game funnel for wary bucks sneaking out of my neighbors woods and into mine.
My plan is to take the camera presently set up on my interior field, and relocate it over into that natural game funnel location.
The new IR camera will go in the same spot in the interior field where it's wide open for nearly 75 yards out in front of the camera.
The interior field is likely the best location for the new IR camera with it's better night/distance capabilities.

We did batteries in all the cameras on March 9th and re-flashed camera firmware additionally. Version 3.3.0
Several days ago, I was reviewing a trail camera report (arrives via email several times per day) and happened to notice on the report, the listed firmware version was 3.4.0
So the manufacturer HAS figured out how to send firmware updates from their server out through the cellular data link and it's then sent to each camera via the mesh wi-fi connection.
Outstanding use of technology! Bi-directional data systems, pictures move in one direction out of the woods, and camera firmware updates move in the opposite direction.
No need to be out in the woods fussing with cameras at all now, other than filling them with fresh batteries. Cuddeback sells solar panels negating periodic battery replacements,
but in my opinion, that makes the trail cameras highly visible to people.

Is it a shadow or a bird, you be the judge.

IMG_2061743883 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

We don't see them often in person or on the cameras.
During the winter after deer season ends, all the snow covered ATV pathways are littered with coyote tracks.

IMG_2062170785 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

04_12_2026 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

04_10_2026 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

04_09_2026b by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

04_09_2026a by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

04_09_2026 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

My neighbors home, in the back yard. 1.9 miles from my house.

IMG_20260409_211835 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

I am impressed with the Interior Field grass growth rate this year. So far it is a wet spring.
I'm also impressed with the ability of the Cuddelink trail cameras for detecting motion at a distance.

05_09_2026 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

05_08_2026 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

05_08_2026a by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

05_07_2026 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

05_05_2026 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

I love this thread! It’s amazing the variety of wildlife you’re able to capture.

In another month or so, we should start seeing horns in velvet.
January 1st or so until now, they are all flat tops.

A very good friend of my Girlfriend did a watercolor painting of the cabin and surrounding lawn. It is loosely based on this drone photo I took years ago. The painting was a Mother's Day gift.

Drone photo.

DJI_0065 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

The watercolor painting here twice, with different lighting.

PXL_20260510_232702769 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

PXL_20260510_232733206 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

The painting is bittersweet for us as the cabin soon will be our full time home. My Girlfriend (who is a Sig Forum Member) was diagnosed with limb onset ALS in January. She just turned 52.
ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) is a rare neurological condition, and is always fatal. The only question is how long.
There are no medications that cure the disease, all available medications only slow disease progression speed.
One medication she is using now has an annual cost of $189,000.00 and fortunately her employer insurance has covered it.
She has been out from work since the beginning of 2026, and is returning to work (telecommuting) starting later this month.
She is a heavy highway and bridge Engineer and will be doing design work from home.

I have my hands full being a full time caregiver. I am retired.
I've learned how to set up, adjust, and configure electric wheelchairs. Our living room looks like a used car lot with wheelchairs.
We are selling our home as it has a mortgage. The cabin and land is fully paid for so we are moving there sometime in July.
We figure we should get ahead of the "curve" while we have two incomes and move to the cabin location as it's much lower cost living expenses.
My Girlfriend's youngest child is graduating high school (4th in her graduating class) in the end of June and heading off to college in late summer. Majoring in Chemical Engineering.
Her other child, he's a work in progress.

Several items ongoing at the cabin. We are insulating it, likely with Rock Wool, as it's slightly better performance than pink fiberglass.
We have running water at the cabin now, but it's a developed spring and somewhat seasonal.
A friend and neighbor drills wells (actually they are pounded wells, not rotary drilled) so we will have a new well pounded and hooked up inside the cabin that will operate year round.
He will also be installing an on-demand water heater with the well system upgrade.

We have quite a bit of downsizing to do before July.
Fortunately we have a good support system, friends and family, and money in the bank for doing our cabin upgrades.
After our home sells, we have quite a bit of equity, and we will be doing several other projects at the cabin.
Long term, we will add an addition on the cabin, one large rectangular room. With a shower/bathroom/wet room in one corner, mechanical systems in the other corner.
The other end of the addition will have a powered hospital bed and a powered recliner. No carpet or flooring, as a Hoyer lift is terrible on carpet or soft surfaces.
I also need a garage/shop building put up. That will likely be a pre-fabricated metal structure, and at least 24' x 36' and larger if it fits the budget.

I guess when you get a lemon, you do your best and make lemonade.
Instead of buying a new firearm recently, I bought a cemetery plot.