WiseEye on the prize

When a buck like this one walks by the WiseEye, it not only takes a picture, it analyzes all kinds of data and can track that specific deer’s movements and habits. (Photos courtesy WiseEye)

Wildlife data cams will even track individual trophy deer

Deer trail cameras have come a long way. In fact, one fairly new camera that is the brainchild of several Louisiana entrepreneurs isn’t even called a game camera at all.

“We call it a wildlife data cam, because that is what it is,” said Darryl Monk, CFO of WiseEye Technologies based in Denham Springs, La. “It goes way beyond just taking pictures. What we have is a camera that takes pictures, collects data and then takes that data and loads it into a software system that we created. It instantly analyzes it and basically patterns and predicts the best times for you to go deer hunting, especially if you are targeting a single animal like a big buck.

Who would have ever thought that deciding when to go hunting would be answered with, “Why don’t you ask your game camera?”

The way the system works is that the camera takes pictures, then uses software that sorts them between deer (even bucks and does), turkey, predators, people or even vehicles. When the camera takes a picture, it sorts it into a folder and sends it straight to the camera owner’s phone within a matter of seconds. The options are almost limitless.

This WiseEye camera mounted on a tree is keeping up with wildlife activity and compiling detailed data to aid hunters. (Photos courtesy WiseEye)

Here is the bottom line. WiseEyeTech has developed Species Recognition Technology. They use this technology in their trail camera management system called HuntControl. You can even pattern an individual animal with HuntControl. It’s easy. Every time you see a photo of the animal you want to track, click on the tag button and assign the animal a tag. The more you tag that animal, the more accurate the results.

WiseEye software can compile that information with weather forecasts, wind direction, moon phases, barometric pressure and the like and tell hunters the very best time to hunt that specific animal.

“Say a guy is working for a living and is limited in days off,” Monk said. “We can take his photo data, combine it with weather predictions and other factors and at some point, tell him that hey, Thursday afternoon of this week looks like the best time to harvest this deer.”

HuntControl also gives hunters access to many charts and graphs to illustrate the deer movement on their specific camera. New charts are being added often to help see deer activity by hour, day, week, month, temperature, wind speed and more.

The first time Monk explains it to hunters, he says their response is almost always the same.

“They can’t believe that there is something like this out there to help in deer hunting, or any type of hunting for that matter,” he said.

It is all based on a 10-day forecast of how the buck is moving and all those other factors.

The camera has taken off like a rocket ship with commercial operations, like the big ranches that have clients paying thousands of dollars for hunts, where they need as much data as possible to ensure their clients are successful. And, Darryl said, it is especially useful for hunters who are working and have limited time off to hunt. It can help them determine the very best times to go and be successful. And they can make the best use of their time.

The company is family owned and operated by Monk and his brother, Harold, who serves as the CEO. The system is the brainchild of Harold’s son-in-law, Jason Ray. They live in the Central/Pride area.

They have been developing the system for more than a dozen years and have actually had them on the market for four years now. They sell through major retailers across the country and on their website.

There are two versions of the camera. The only difference is that one camera has dual antennas to get a little better cellular service, especially in more remote areas. The second version is called the Mini and only has one antenna. Both cameras have exceptionally high quality lenses and generate top quality photos, which is a necessity for the software to properly sort the information.

The dual antenna model retails for around $299 and the mini version for around $199.

You can learn more about the company and the cameras on their website, wiseeyetech.com, or their Facebook page.

About Kinny Haddox 589 Articles
Kinny Haddox has been writing magazine and newspaper articles about the outdoors in Louisiana for 45 years. He publishes a daily website, lakedarbonnelife.com and is a member of the Louisiana Chapter of the Outdoor Legends Hall of Fame. He and his wife, DiAnne, live in West Monroe.