Trail Cameras

[atfrith]

I've never used one and am thinking about trying them out this year. We hunt a relatively small and "so far" un-crowded mountain that we've had to ourselves the past few years. Public land but for whatever reason is passed up by so many people every year and its turned into a honey hole of ours.

I'm going to do some summer hiking/scouting and would like to set 1 or 2 trail cameras on a couple game trails we frequently see elk on, i'm not too worried about them getting stolen due to the lack of attention this area gets but have you guys had problems with that in your experience?

Also are they any brands you'd recommend? Tips/tricks on where to place them etc? Sorry if this topic has been burned to the ground in the past but i tried doing a search and didn't come up with much

[cnelk]

Anthony
I put a couple trail cams out each summer. For me, thats plenty.
Its a lot of fun.
With the wide angle that the cameras have, I like to place them about 5-6ft above the ground and tilt the cam down just a bit.
If using them on a trail, face the camera going down the trail because the trigger speed sometimes wont catch the game if it is placed perpendicular to it.
If using them on a wallow or other sort of area, place the camera no more than 20 away to get good pics, both day and night
I use Stealth Cameras, and I just saw some on Camofire recently for ~$60 each.

If you would like to see some pics mine have taken, let me know

[atfrith]

Thanks Brad! I hadn't heard of camofire before....awesome site! This is going to turn into a problem....for my wallet

[Trophyhill]

Anthony
I put a couple trail cams out each summer. For me, thats plenty.
Its a lot of fun.
With the wide angle that the cameras have, I like to place them about 5-6ft above the ground and tilt the cam down just a bit.
If using them on a trail, face the camera going down the trail because the trigger speed sometimes wont catch the game if it is placed perpendicular to it.
If using them on a wallow or other sort of area, place the camera no more than 20 away to get good pics, both day and night
I use Stealth Cameras, and I just saw some on Camofire recently for ~$60 each.

If you would like to see some pics mine have taken, let me know

let's see a couple photos. I got a Stealth Cam for Christmas and still trying to figure it out. can't wait to set it up this summer. that is if I can figure out how to use the darn thing

[cnelk]

Here are some variations - Night - Day - Trail

[Trophyhill]

wow that thing takes great pics!

[atfrith]

awesome pics!

[Swede]

cnelk: I think the night "variation" looks like the one I would like to get.

[WapitiTalk1]

Anthony,
How ironic that you started this thread today! I have one older Bushnell trail cam and have been really thinking about picking up one of the newer, lighter 6 MP cams. My wife is not a hunter nor outdoorsman but she knows I am and is constantly "surprising" me with outdoor themed goodies. Most are nothing to write home about, just little doo hickeys and gadgets she sees when she is out shopping. Well, she gets an "A+" tonight! Went to get her nails done and stopped at our local farm supply store (Del's) to pick up some birdseed and another deer feeder block (she likes to watch the blacktail in our back yard). After woofing down the Italian sub she brought me home, she piped up and said "oh, there's something I got you at Del's". Deer block I asked? Ya, got one of those Primos blocks but got you something else too. In the bag was not one but two new trail cams! Woo hoo! It's a golden day. Not sure how good they are but the sale was good. She picked up two of the WGI Trails Cams for 50 bones apiece. Gotta love Mrs. Phantom. Good luck in your shopping. I'll let you know how these work as I will certainly be "trail camming" my rat dogs tonight .. RJ

BTW.. sweet pics cnelk! Hope to get a few like that myself in ID and WA this year.

[SoCo Mark]

I have a couple of questions on trail cameras.

1. Can you check the pictures at the camera, or do you have to have a lap top? Or, I assume since they have a card, I could put it into a simple point and shoot camera?
2. Do you get lots of pictures of "nothing"? For instance, a squirrel or bird goes in front and trips it?
3. I assume you strap it onto a tree or something. Is there any way to check and see you have it pointed in the direction you want? I can see me installing one only to come back and check the pictures and find I got great pictures, from the knees down....Or maybe I'm over thinking this. It wouldn't be the first time..
Thanks,

[Daved270]

SoCo Mark, when it comes to game cameras you have lots of options. Most come with cards that you can view in any card reader. Some cameras have a built in viewer so you don't have to remove the card to view it. I have taken pictures of squirrels and birds. Every once and awhile I will get a pic with nothing on it but I think it was that the camera speed was to slow to capture it. As far as setting it up. I have had cameras that had a red light that would come on when you walked into the cameras coverage. Some have a red lazer that will shine on you and you can line the camera up to point right where you want it to. I haven't had a lot of cameras but this is some of the features that my cameras had. I hope this helps you out.

[cnelk]

There is always the chance to get 'nothing' on pics.
It could be a bird, wind blowing a branch or an animal running by.
If you set it over water, you tend to get lots of 'nothing' pics because of birds
Try to remove any branches or tall grass that may blow in the picture area.

I place an extra SD card in the camera case. That way when I check the camera, I just place the new one in.
I tend to always carry a digital camera [you may have figured that out ]
I just view the pics on that in the field too.
But its ALWAYS a good idea to view on a computer screen too as I have seen stuff that I didnt see on my camera

Most cameras have a 60 second 'Test' time.
You strap the camera to the tree, point it the direction you want, open the door and turn it on, shut the door.
You have 60 seconds to leave the area.

I dont strap one of my cameras to trees. I drilled 2 small holes in the back cover and use 1 1/2 deck screws to screw it to the tree.
This way works good to tilt and/or aim.
A downside to some may be that a screw driver is needed - but a Leatherman takes care of that

I always give my cameras a work out at home before they go to the woods.
I also place mine around the place if Im gone for extended periods too

[fm]

Brad how did you drill the holes to mount yours with the screws. I would like to try that. Can you take the camera part out of yours to get at the back of it?

[cnelk]

Francis

Here is a pic of the back where I drilled the holes.
I screw it to the tree, the camera part is the part that swings open.
Other models may not be able to do this

I also number my cameras in correlation to SD cards

In this camera, there wasnt any extra space for the extra SD card but I found that one fit in the spot where the picture counter is.
A piece of tape holds it in place

[cnelk]

I also use camo tape on my cameras too

[itsnlkthing]

Is your stealthcam the same model that was on camofire? I almost pulled the trigger on that but read a couple of reviews on that model and they weren't very favorable. Yours seem to take great pics...

[cnelk]

I dont think they were the same model, but I would buy Stealth Cam again

[fm]

Thanks Brad I forgot the stealths open that way. The tape will work good to help hide them and cut down on the shine.

Thanks for the tips.

[fm]

I have two Stealth cam skout-7's and have had no problems with them. I'll try and post a couple of Whitetail pics from this year for you.

[atfrith]

Anthony,
How ironic that you started this thread today! I have one older Bushnell trail cam and have been really thinking about picking up one of the newer, lighter 6 MP cams. My wife is not a hunter nor outdoorsman but she knows I am and is constantly "surprising" me with outdoor themed goodies. Most are nothing to write home about, just little doo hickeys and gadgets she sees when she is out shopping. Well, she gets an "A+" tonight! Went to get her nails done and stopped at our local farm supply store (Del's) to pick up some birdseed and another deer feeder block (she likes to watch the blacktail in our back yard). After woofing down the Italian sub she brought me home, she piped up and said "oh, there's something I got you at Del's". Deer block I asked? Ya, got one of those Primos blocks but got you something else too. In the bag was not one but two new trail cams! Woo hoo! It's a golden day. Not sure how good they are but the sale was good. She picked up two of the WGI Trails Cams for 50 bones apiece. Gotta love Mrs. Phantom. Good luck in your shopping. I'll let you know how these work as I will certainly be "trail camming" my rat dogs tonight .. RJ

HAHA, dude thats awesome! She's a keeper for sure. Mine and myself are actually getting ready to head out to cabelas now, maybe they'll have a deal in their bargain cave or somethin'.

Great info and help so far fellas'! I love this forum

[flystrait]

Make sure you always turn it on before you leave. Also mark your SD cards if you are going out to change a couple out at a time. There is nothing more frustrating when you go to pull your cards and the camera was never turned on! I have had over 20-30 cams really lost track. Almost all brands and price ranges. Started way back when we where paying out the yin-wang to get our 35mm developed. The best ones I have ever had and still have with the best results all around are the Reconyx. They are not cheap but I have not had to ever replace them so in all they have been cheaper for me. The best trigger speed, picture quality,trigger distance, no blank picts, battery life, etc.

[fm]

Here is a Stealth Cam and one from a moultrie

[Lefty]

[

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I think I posted this one last year

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[irishevox]

Really nice pics, i am hoping to get my camera out of the woods in the next week or so. I hope to have captured some good photos

[Moose-head]

I would suggest setting it up close to home the first few times you do it. That way you will learn not to have it pointing south because you can't see anything because of the glare from the sun, and you can also figure out how not to get a couple of hundred pictures of a branch blowing in a windstorm or any of a dozen other things that can cause you not to get the pictures you are looking for. I have hiked more miles than I care to admit to for no pictures even after trying it out in town.

[Lefty]

My daughter and friend taking the afternoon off from school

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Never know what you will get

[Csrbowhunter]

I have had a lot of cameras and for me reconx is the best. They are really expensive but I've had the same one for five years and the cheap ones die in a year or two. Cuddyback are pretty good too. The reconx you don't get picture of nothing. It works on heat and motion and the trigger speed is awesome. I've got white tails as they are running by during the rut. I don't really like the night photos though,but there is no flash. If you have a flash the night pics are way better but it spooks the game. Both the reconx and cuddy the batteries last all year where the cheaper one sometimes kill the batteries in two weeks if it's cold. Now if you can check them every week I also like the plot watcher. It takes a picture every 5seconds only during the day light hours. But it's good if you are looking at a large area and need to see which trails are being used the most. It's just quicker then going from trail to trail to find the most used one.when I go down south for ten days that's what I scout with.
It really all depends how much you are going to use it and what kind of scouting your doing.

[chesapeakesam]

I run about 15 for whitetails and turkeys in Al and TN. Reconyx is the best I have used but will put a major dent in your wallet. Covert cameras are really good are my favorite considering their cost.

The Bushnells are not bad.

[Fireball]

We run about 20 cameras on ranch in OK.
Reconyx is the best.
Has a fast trigger speed & will take 2 frames per second.

[Csrbowhunter]

Might be a stupid question but how are you guys posting your whole picture? I have to crop mine down to get it to post. Or if I do a link to photobucket it's really small picture.

thanks for your help on loading pics

[cnelk]

open your pic using MS Paint
Resize the pic to 800x600 pixels
Then save
You should be able to attach it then

[Z Barebow]

Might be a stupid question but how are you guys posting your whole picture? I have to crop mine down to get it to post. Or if I do a link to photobucket it's really small picture.

A couple of ways. The way I do it is using my e-mail (Outlook). I will have a picture open and it will ask what size I want to send it. I pick the 600x480 size (Elknut size). I save the file back (renamed to not overwrite original size). I now have a size which Elknut will accept.

[Csrbowhunter]

Z,CNELK Ok thanks guys I'll have to try that!

[Eldonvieira]

Anyone have trouble with them getting stolen

[Garrett Drach]

Here is a link to a great resource on trail cameras. They put each trail camera through a bunch of tests, explain how the major components work and match up against other models, and do a very thorough review.
http://www.trailcampro.com/

Garrett

[atfrith]

Here is a link to a great resource on trail cameras. They put each trail camera through a bunch of tests, explain how the major components work and match up against other models, and do a very thorough review.
http://www.trailcampro.com/

Garrett

GREAT website! That's exactly what I need to waste the last couple hours of work with.