Purchased a trail cam

[Bob Jameson]

I have seen photos and video clips from these units for some time now. It would certainly have been very helpful some 30 years ago or more to have had the technology that is available today with these cameras.

The time in testing lures and baits with respects to an animals reaction to them during the formulation process would have been a priceless tool to utilize. Weekly progress reports with respect to reaction behavior via photos or video clips to various ingredients would have been the deal. Knowing what ingredients that were added or deleted in a formula to obtain the best possible combinations for the desired results. What is better fresh or aging processes? These short cuts of being able to see the immediate responses of specific animal behavior would have saved me years of trial and error.

I hope to have alot of fun and I know I can learn a few more things about response behaviors on single scent materials and synthetic vs. natural organic materials etc. and other testing I have interest in.

I did some cam set ups this evening on some lured and baited presentations for fox and coyote on my place. I must say I am anticipating the results and I am looking forward to the photos and video clips that I will see this coming week. I Will keep all posted as to the results but need to learn how to post the pics.

[FWS]

Not too hard to make trail cams either Bob if you want to save some $$$'s.

[gunny]

Bob,

What brand of trail cam did you buy?

I am looking to purchase a couple to catch a trap thief that plagues me every year.

I want to set two, one at the trap site and one to take a picture where he parks his truck. I don't think he will find them both.

[foxtail]

I don't know how bad you want his ass, but they make a cam that has an infrared flash which is invisible to us and the critters.

They are expensive, but they are very difficult to locate to because the dirtbags can't see any flash to locate them by.

Cabellas has them, the PC kits are extra.

[woodie]

Bob,I'll be looking forward to your findings.If you need help posting pics let me know,its actually pretty simple .I got a trail cam last year,they're pretty cool.
Mike

[Bob Jameson]

The models I purchased I got a a Sams Club locally. It is called a Wildview digital scouting cam and video combo.It does single shots multiple bursts or pics and video clips. Not sure how long the video clips are as of yet.

I can see the many values beyond the obvious intended use as in the case with theft as well. I agree with using the infrared types as they would most likely find the cam if it flashes in the dark. I dint believe the flash would be a problem during the day as I dint think the cam will flash if it reads good lite conditions.

I would be interested to learn to make several of a similar type unit if it was time and cost efficient.I have heard of others doing this.I dint think I could make one as weatherproof but never attempted this task either.

For under $100.00 they aren't too bad but if planning on multiple set ups they could run into a bit of money. Then if you lose a couple, "ouch".

[tmalone]

I got a Moultrie from Wally world for $98.00 2 weeks ago. I've got it set on a bear bait barrel. I haven't got any bear pix yet, but did get some coon pix.

My biggest disappointment so far is that the $7 battery only lasted 9 days. I just got a new $8 one, we will see how long that one last. I guess I'll be investing in a rechargeabel battery set up, will be cheaper in the long run.

Also got 2 memory sticks to switch out rather than have to take the camera home to view the pictures, then I had to get a reader to view the pictures.

With a 256 mb memory stick, this will take and store over 1000 pictures at a time, and take 15 minutes of video. Another great feature, is that each picture is stamped with the date and time.

To catch a thief I believe I would turn the flash off, the camera makes no noise when it operates, so the theif would never know a thing. Unless he is strickly running in the dark you would have him!

[cameron2]

I knew if I hung out on this site long enough, a topic would eventually come up that I knew something about.

I've been using trail cameras all summer "scouting" an area that is new to me. So far I've gotten dozens and dozens of pictures of fox, deer, horses, burros, elk, people, chukar, quail, bobcats, mourning doves, packrats, lizards and so forth. I set up a camera for a week on a desert spring and it took over 600 pictures of all types of animals. It's amazing what goes on out in the desert. It's been fun, and a great education about the critters and the cameras.

I have a total of 7 cameras right now, all types and brands. If you are just looking for one camera to do everything and want the very best, get the Cuddeback no flash camera. They retail for $449 at Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc. However, you can pick them up brand new on Ebay for about $370-390. I know that's a lot of money, but they are worth it. However, it really stings when someone steals them. I know, because I had one stolen two weeks ago. They have a password protection system that prevents anyone else from ever using them, but it apparently doesn't deter the thieves. Perhaps a note inside the camera telling the thief that what he's stolen is useless to him . . . ?

The Moultree and other $100 cameras do a good job. They take color pictures both day and night, and they're simple to operate. They are kind of large and clumbsy, but they get the job done. Someone mentioned the battery issue (they take the large 6V lantern batteries). Go to Bass Pro and get the rechargeable 6V batteries -- they are about the same price as the regular ones -- and get a charger ($14). That will solve the expense of the batteries.

Also, most cameras take an SD disk. This is pretty cool because a lot of the cell phones now adays (like a Treo) allow you to insert the disk and view the pictures on your phone. That's what I do. Just walk up to the camera, pop the disk out, put it in my phone, look at the pictures, and if the camera is in a good place, I put a new disk in it and leave it there. Then I can take the old disk home, down load it to my laptop and manipulate/study the photos from there.

A couple of hints on using the cameras. Most of them have a slight delay in the triggering of the motion sensor, and the camera shutter. In other words, if you set the camera up at a right angle to a trail, for example, the camera may miss the critter going by, or just get a picture of its tail. Set the camera up so it looks up or down the trail at an angle, and you'll get better pictures. Also, if you're testing baits and lures, set the camera up so it's looking at the bait or scent from the direction you think the animal will approach the set. You'll get a more thorough evaluation of the animal and it's reaction to the bait or lure. Also, keep the camera elevated as much as you can. That way you'll avoid the washout from the ground that occurs when the flash goes off.

It's my experience, by the way, that some game will spook with the flash. If you can afford it, the infrared "no flash" camera is the way to go. For the money, the Bushnell Trial Scout with Night Vision is the least expensive way to go. I just bought 3 of these on Ebay for $298 each, delivered.

Finally, the theft issue is what will keep a lot of people from plunking down the money to buy a trail camera. One thing I recently did was construct an artificial "rock" out of wood and covered it with Bondo, then painted it. It was easy to do and the camera sits inside the rock, and isn't easily detected by thieves. I'm experimenting right now with doing the same thing to make an artificial tree stump for the same purpose.

Have fun with the cameras.

[cameron2]

Here's a picture of a bobcat working over some cat scent I'd made.




And here's the same camera taking a picture of a female hiker who, well, walked through my walk through.



These were both taken with a Moultree camera.

[cameron2]

Here's an elk that apprently spotted the camera, photo hog.

[FWS]

You can also build a camera trap that uses a pressure sensitive pan, like a leghold but larger, that would simulate a set. I'll have to dig out the plans for the ones we built.

These guys do a good job of explaining the hows and whats on building your own with a passive infrared motion sensor,

www.jesseshunting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=76190