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| Great Horned Owl |
Trail cameras are simply a camera (film or digital) mounted on a tree, along a recognized game trail to photograph animals in the vicinity and using that particular game trail. There are many names for trail cameras, deer cams, game cams, scouting cameras, however, no matter what you call them they are all about photographing animals, birds, or anything along the trail that moves. Trail cameras have evolved from the 35mm film to today’s 6.0 MP digital technologies. This has evolved over the past twenty years.
Typically these trail cameras are associated with big game hunters, especially deer and elk. Although the lions share of trail cam sales are to the hunting fraternity, there are a number of us outdoor photographer types who have recognized the value for photographing everything in nature. From a security standpoint, they also may have a place protecting your home while you’re away on a trip or vacation. Begin to think outside the box. There can be many uses for this equipment.
Some folks are making their own cameras in an effort to reduce the initial cost. Check out:http://www.shomeoutdoors.com/Trailcam.htm if you are interested in building your own. Costs vary considerably. Store bought trail cams can range from a moderate $100.00 up to $300-$400.00 or more. The film cameras cost less than the digital cameras. There are advantages to both, however the advantages favor the digitals and the disadvantages appear less with the digital technology. Much of the price depends on the “bells and whistles” you want or need. As an example: flash units increase the cost, then you can have no flash, a normal white light flash or an infrared flash. Solar powered units add big costs. If you really want to pursue this type of hobby, you can go to video scouting systems that range up to $900.00.
Some of the accessories you may wish to consider are metal safety housings which secure your camera by anchoring the housing to a tree or post to prevent a person stealing your equipment or the heavy-duty housing to save your equipment from a bear mauling. If you are concerned about theft, you’ll need to look seriously at the more expensive cameras or ones that can be contained within a secure metal housings to discourage theft and/or bear maulings. Obviously, if you leave your equipment out for a couple of weeks at a time, someone may notice it and relieve you of your valuable equipment. Should this happen, typically this equipment will be covered under your personal homeowners insurance policy. Check with your insurance agent to verify this. Your agent may suggest scheduling your equipment, especially if it was expensive to purchase.
If you purchase a digital camera, most likely you’ll want a card reader. This way you’ll be able to read a printout of what has transpired over the past couple of weeks and conceivably move locations, if there is nothing on your card. There are a zillion manufacturers and most of them have numerous models. I am going to limit my discussion here to two of the popular brands, the Cuddeback and the Moultrie and not get into who makes the best, as I know everyone has their opinion and this is no small business.
Something to remember when purchasing your equipment is if you have decided upon digital, then be sure you have the appropriate connections to your computer. One other advantage to the digital is the software may be free! I have Picasa2 to download my digital camera to. You can find it at www.picasa2.com and it is free software.
Just for the fun of it, set your camera up in your own back yard. You may be amazed at the wildlife that lives in and around your neighborhood. All the way from rabbits, squirrels, an occasional skunk, raccoons, coyotes, owls, etc. If you are close to water, there will be an additional menu of wildlife to photograph. The really nice thing about a trail camera is you won’t have to stay up all night waiting for something to come around and let you photograph it. All the photography is being done while you sleep. Normally, you will be leaving your trail camera out for a couple of weeks at a time. Check it shortly after you first locate it and make sure there is some sort of activity in the area you are attempting to photograph. This is the advantage of having the digital camera as you can either substitute a fresh memory card or read your card with another digital camera or card reader.
Choose a location to set-up your camera along a popular game trail. By popular, I would be looking for multiple tracks, droppings, chomped down grasses, leaves, shelled acorns, tree rubs, areas of scrapes, beds, etc.
Another great location would be a pond or overlooking a water hole. An animal stopping for a drink will linger long enough for a good photograph.
Before you leave your camera in the field, be sure you wipe it down or spray it with some scent (don’t get it on the lens). Anything you touch will leave a telltale scent to spook any animal. Spray scent around the bait area, as you want your target animal to remain long enough to trigger the camera. If it is sniffing the ground, bushes and/or trees it should be there when the camera goes off.
Baiting (corn, apples, birdseed blocks, table scraps or salt licks) are always good attractants. HOWEVER – PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL GAME & FISH DEPARTMENT TO BE SURE YOU ARE NOT DOING SOMETHING ILLEGAL! Make sure you talk with the folks at your state wildlife offices and in particular the Law Enforcement Office. On occasion a law will get changed in a recent commission meeting and may not actually be in a printed regulation. It is your responsibility to make sure you are not in violation. I should tell you also that this might also apply to the use of scents and scent dispensers.
Let’s discuss location and mounting of your camera for this event. I would suggest mounting around 3’-0” to 4’-0” above the ground. Assuming you’ll be mounting it on a tree or wood post. Most cameras will use bungee cords for attaching.
Now, where to place the bait in front of the camera. I would suggest placing the bait between 10’-0” and 20’-0” in front of the camera. Point the camera and focus it on the bait before attaching it to the tree. Be sure to check before you leave your site to be sure everything is, as you would want it to be. Be sure you aim the camera away from the sun. You want the sun behind your camera. Game appears just prior to sun down and will be in the area around at sun-up.
The most dependable batteries are Rayovac or Duracell batteries. These are generally your best choice. Depending on the temperature your batteries should last for about 60 days. For flash cards/memory cards I would suggest you stay with the better-known products and a type I or a type II. I would stay away from off brand or after market products.
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