mule deer and game cameras

[Freebird134]

I'm headed back home to southern Idaho for a week of mule deer bow hunting with my dad in september (before my elk hunt). he's supposed to be scouting but has recently been swamped with work and they've got him working nights--so he's stressed about not getting any scouting in. He was talking about buying a couple game cameras to put out in some key locations, but I'm skeptical. Mule deer in open country (Idaho 54 and 47 for anyone interested) have a lot of space to roam, and if they are even 30' from the camera, it might not take their picture. In my experience you gotta scout for good game camera positions, and since he's running low on scouting time it is likely to be a waste of time and money. But who knows?

Anyone have any tips or experience using game cameras in wide open sage country? I'm afraid water holes might be too visible (inviting theft) and this isn't really ag country (where you could aim for a fence crossing). Thanks!