Trail cam reviews / suggestions

[Dave177]

Looking to add 3 or 4 trail cams to my collection for scouting areas this coming winter.

There is no service in these areas but potential for people to see them so I would rather have a few cheaper cams than more expensive ones if the get stolen.

I used to use bushnell cameras years ago and they were ok, just very complicated to set up. The Cabelas 30mp outfitter ones seem to have good reviews online, any real world experience of these?

Thanks

[Redthies]

I bought a pair of these Moultrie A700i cameras (links to both USA and Canadian ‘Zon) from Amazon in the USA. They are surprisingly good! Super crisp images. At $69 for two, I didn’t expect a lot, but I’m happy and they come with batteries and SD cards too. I might have to buy two more…

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW8WZ9Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NW8WZ9Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07NW8WZ9Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sample images:

https://i.postimg.cc/bNmVYLJN/EB53-D9-CF-B383-4722-A7-FE-625-B876-F7314.jpg (https://postimg.cc/GHsxqFGZ)

https://i.postimg.cc/KjHTwKGF/00-B78-F84-F8-EE-4601-9-FCB-E980709-C85-B3.jpg (https://postimg.cc/dZGDTVZS)

https://i.postimg.cc/yd6SNhWs/54-B72-D63-F2-EF-49-AA-9244-DCE148-B257-E9.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Lq7sC1zb)

[XPEIer]

You may as well ask what kind of truck to buy as you will get similar responses. I run Browning, Bushnell, Moultrie and Stealthcam and it seems my oldest ones (Moultrie) have been the best. The Brownings are a close second and I use the Stealthcam in areas where theft is quite possible. I might set them all up on one tree in my yard for a week and compare them, but I do like the Browning and Moultrie. What I also do is I set one up (Browning with mic) in video mode and one of the others in photo mode just in case one craps out. The Bushnells worked ok, but over time the power pack seemed to crap out on them and even though you can use an external powerpack I could never find a plug that would fit and finally gave up on them.
One other tip for anti theft is get rid of those straps that come with them that wrap around a tree, that solid ring stands out like a sore thumb, I use about an 8 inch strip of that plumbers wire with all the holes in it, screw that to the tree and cover with some old mans beard and you never see it.

Good luck,,, I am addicted to it and cannot wait to get mine back out in the field.

XPEIER

[J_T]

I've run a number of different cams over the years. Currently I'm running Browning. Versions of the Dark ops and Strike Force.

FYI, I've never lost a camera. Well, ok, two to a forest fire (and I eventually got those back), but never to the hands of another human. I will offer two thoughts for consideration. One, remove the cloth wrap strap the camera comes with, and find another purpose for it. Use bailing wire to attach your camera to the tree or whatever. Second, consider the colour of the bark you most often put your camera against and add a bit of spray paint to your camera to help it blend in.

The bailing wire reduces your scent, removes the risk of an animal licking, bumping and disturbing your camera as the wire bites into the tree, but most importantly it reduces the visibility of the camera to passersby.

[Redthies]

Some good tips on the attachment fellas. Only bottom-feeders steal cameras, but we know there is no shortage of those people…

[Dave177]

Thanks for the replies so far guys, all good info so far. To those guys running different bramds do you find much difference in battery life?

[XPEIer]

I put mine out in May / June and have only had to change batteries in one Browning during the season, I had it set to videos and a branch got in the way, so it was firing damn near constantly.
Thanks for the replies so far guys, all good info so far. To those guys running different bramds do you find much difference in battery life?

[J_T]

I put my cams out in May with fresh batteries. Video burns through the batteries for sure. I set my cams on still photos and a 2 shot burst. I take in about 3-5000 pics, per camera over a 3 week period.
My older Moultries with 6 "C" batteries, run until August and I only replace the batteries ( down to about 60%) in August because I don't want to be replacing them during the hunting season.
My Browning cameras use "AA" batteries. Some require 4 batteries and some require 8.

All cameras are put out in May, batteries changed in August. I move the cams in late September and they run until January on the batteries from August.

[Gun Dog]

On thing I want in a trail camera is time lapse - a picture every minute for example - so the wind or clouds doesn't set it off every few seconds. It's also handy to watch a field and see what's going on out there.

[LBM]

Looking to add 3 or 4 trail cams to my collection for scouting areas this coming winter.

There is no service in these areas but potential for people to see them so I would rather have a few cheaper cams than more expensive ones if the get stolen.

I used to use bushnell cameras years ago and they were ok, just very complicated to set up. The Cabelas 30mp outfitter ones seem to have good reviews online, any real world experience of these?

Thanks
You looking for picture or video, day or night shot quality. There is various Brands on Amazon some of which are knock offs made by
different companys but are quite good and are reasonable priced. I would suggest looking at some of the reviews on you tube showing
actual pictures and video o you can see if quality you are looking for.

[elker]

all of my cameras failed over time. Browning have slow trigger speed. I saw the black bear walked past the camera but it had no image/video on it. Spypoint has good trigger speed, but failed and and started to consume too much battery. From now on, I only care about quality/reliability. My next one will be Reconyx (https://www.cabelas.ca/product/109839/reconyx-hyperfire-2-covert-ir-trail-camera)

[Sitkaspruce]

I run mostly Brownings and have had very few issues. I am now adding the Amazon specials and have been very happy with them as well!

I put most of my cameras 9-11' up a tree using a section of tree stand ladder steps and have the camera looking down. I stack a bunch of stuff around the base of the tree and that seems to keep the bears away. Being high up in the tree stops elk from slobbering on it as well. Downfall is the site view is smaller and you don't get see anything back in the bush.

I build my own mounts using this design

https://cambushcamo.com/blogs/news/9586237-do-it-yourself-trail-camera-mount

I am now running my Brownings on 12v10ah lithium batteries from the end of October until the spring. Up until the end of December, they had taken between 12000 and 15000 10 sec videos and were still around 100%. If I was running AA lithiums, each camera would have gone through 24 to 30 batteries at ~$2.75/battery. I am into each set up for $93 including battery, case and wired plug in.

Lost of choices out there. Check out https://www.trailcampro.com/ Lots of good reviews on there

Cheers

SS

[Husky7mm]

I leave mine out 365 days a year in northern Alberta, they all do ok but there is the odd random turd, some right out of the box. I have had the least problems with primos and wildgame innovations. I have tried bushnell, u way, spypoint, wildview, and moultrie, and a few really cheap ones I have forgotten the names of. The bears will eventually poke a hole in them and then moisture get in. They used to get messed with alot more but they are quieter and the IR flash helps so animals don’t mess with them as much. Never lost one to theft, only had 1 person walked by one of them in 12 years of running cams up until this year when some real nosy ****s pounded every single trail in my area for a week, but went home with nothing.


I have about 12 cams going at all times.

Lots of good advice in this thread. Like the tie wire idea.

[Bugle M In]

How to get a camera from taking a bunch of pics on windy days?
I made sure no branches were in the way.
Even with the other trees at a distance, cam still picked up wind on them.
So you get some days with hundreds of photos.
Calm days, no problem.
And yes, bear seem to like readjusting the camera.
Deer and sheep just sniff in my case.

[huntcoop]

...Like the tie wire idea.

Razor wire would be an even better idea for those asshats!

[sjhawes]

+1 for the DIY mounts. I made a few up with parts I was able to get at my work. Haven't put them up yet, but similar store bout mounts start at 14$ per unit. I had a decent sized buck actually destroy my stealth cam a couple years ago. Should be able to position them higher and angle them much easier from now on.

[Sitkaspruce]

How to get a camera from taking a bunch of pics on windy days?
I made sure no branches were in the way.
Even with the other trees at a distance, cam still picked up wind on them.
So you get some days with hundreds of photos.
Calm days, no problem.
And yes, bear seem to like readjusting the camera.
Deer and sheep just sniff in my case.

When you put them higher up, you reduce a lot of interference from the surrounding bush, plus bears seem to leave them alone.

Cheers

SS

[LBM]

I run mostly Brownings and have had very few issues. I am now adding the Amazon specials and have been very happy with them as well!

I put most of my cameras 9-11' up a tree using a section of tree stand ladder steps and have the camera looking down. I stack a bunch of stuff around the base of the tree and that seems to keep the bears away. Being high up in the tree stops elk from slobbering on it as well. Downfall is the site view is smaller and you don't get see anything back in the bush.

I build my own mounts using this design

https://cambushcamo.com/blogs/news/9586237-do-it-yourself-trail-camera-mount

I am now running my Brownings on 12v10ah lithium batteries from the end of October until the spring. Up until the end of December, they had taken between 12000 and 15000 10 sec videos and were still around 100%. If I was running AA lithiums, each camera would have gone through 24 to 30 batteries at ~$2.75/battery. I am into each set up for $93 including battery, case and wired plug in.

Lost of choices out there. Check out https://www.trailcampro.com/ Lots of good reviews on there

Cheers
SS

Have you tried any with the solar panel ,think may give one a try next have a couple spots in the opoen that would get day light most of the day.

[TheObserver]

How to get a camera from taking a bunch of pics on windy days?
I made sure no branches were in the way.
Even with the other trees at a distance, cam still picked up wind on them.
So you get some days with hundreds of photos.
Calm days, no problem.
And yes, bear seem to like readjusting the camera.
Deer and sheep just sniff in my case.

From my experience in some places I set them up I think sunlight can have an effect on this, the way it comes up or goes down in a certain area hitting a certain hillside and the shade moving along the ground. I have had a few places like this that took lots on some days and none or few on others. Captured Elk and Deer too but a looot of shadows/sun going up/down, I remember one spot in particular I set up on a draw, it got annoying and the trail was not being used too much so I got it out of there. Other places same cam no problem.

[Treed]

I like to hang old man’s beard on cameras. Makes them almost invisible. I also put them up at about 8-9 ft by screwing some climbing screws and then taking the out once the camera is up. I like the idea of the baling wire. That’s a good one.

[XPEIer]

This is what I use to mount mine,, about an 8" strip, paint it black, screw to tree so shit rats cannot remove it easily and as mentioned hang some old mans beard on it;
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/masters-all-round-steel-22-gauge-strapping-to-hang-pipes-3-4-in-x-10-ft-0633642p.html?&&&&ds_rl=1283573&ds_rl=1283573&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0oagBhDHARIsAI-Bbgd2VZ0_H6cNr9wqCccmaLczQwtnIV-1okm7ZAJtTprsvd1FmpO__MIaAnSyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=438

XPEIER

[huntcoop]

This is what I use to mount mine,, about an 8" strip, paint it black, screw to tree so shit rats cannot remove it easily and as mentioned hang some old mans beard on it;
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/masters-all-round-steel-22-gauge-strapping-to-hang-pipes-3-4-in-x-10-ft-0633642p.html?&&&&ds_rl=1283573&ds_rl=1283573&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0oagBhDHARIsAI-Bbgd2VZ0_H6cNr9wqCccmaLczQwtnIV-1okm7ZAJtTprsvd1FmpO__MIaAnSyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=438

XPEIER

Great idea.

[358mag]

This is what I use to mount mine,, about an 8" strip, paint it black, screw to tree so shit rats cannot remove it easily and as mentioned hang some old mans beard on it;
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/masters-all-round-steel-22-gauge-strapping-to-hang-pipes-3-4-in-x-10-ft-0633642p.html?&&&&ds_rl=1283573&ds_rl=1283573&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0oagBhDHARIsAI-Bbgd2VZ0_H6cNr9wqCccmaLczQwtnIV-1okm7ZAJtTprsvd1FmpO__MIaAnSyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=438

XPEIER

done that too "Once" some 2 legged RAT cut the steel strap < sure using a Leatherman type tool " and stole the camera !!!
Now just use metal Lock Box

[J_T]

I love the East Kootenay, I pitch my wall tent and leave it for a week or two. I hang cameras, and stands and they don't go missing. I know people find them, but they don't approach, and they don't touch.

Love the respect.

[fozzy]

Ive got a couple garde pro A3's recently. They take pictures and video at the same time. Easy to use and I'm happy with them so far (bought them off amazon) thete are similar looking ones that are very likely the same only branded with different names.

[HighCountryBC]

I love the East Kootenay, I pitch my wall tent and leave it for a week or two. I hang cameras, and stands and they don't go missing. I know people find them, but they don't approach, and they don't touch.

Love the respect.

The EK are no different than anywhere else in BC when it comes to trail cam bandits.

[Husky7mm]

The EK are no different than anywhere else in BC when it comes to trail cam bandits.


Perhaps the shit rats don’t go where JT goes? Just found a great little niche area. These places can be handy, but over looked. I have a few.

[TheObserver]

Just added another 6 to the arsenal today, now I can keep eyes on 2 more places, maybe three if I find really good trees to set up on.

All mine are stealthcam because I can afford to run a bunch and none of them have given me any problems since last May, except for an Elk one I let soak over the winter (could be fine still). Will go back up in May and see if it is still working. All of the rest are down here to monitor BT and Lion and they are all still working good.

May upgrade to better ones in a couple of years. So far the stealthcams have been good for the price I got them for.

[ekul246]

I run Amazon ones and they’re fantastic. I just reach as high as I can and no bears have been able to reach them, though one tried. I had another cam angled towards that one and I caught the big boar trying to reach it but too far.
I run homemade mounts like this https://youtu.be/QjTPa-Jtunc

[XPEIer]

Wouldnt those mounts make them stand out more? It would be a square box suspended in mid air which should catch someones eye or do you push the back against the tree as close as you can?


I run Amazon ones and they’re fantastic. I just reach as high as I can and no bears have been able to reach them, though one tried. I had another cam angled towards that one and I caught the big boar trying to reach it but too far.
I run homemade mounts like this https://youtu.be/QjTPa-Jtunc

[ekul246]

Wouldnt those mounts make them stand out more? It would be a square box suspended in mid air which should catch someones eye or do you push the back against the tree as close as you can?
I exclusively run camo cams and spray the mounts with a matte green paint. I’ve only had that one bear try to get one. My friend has camo ones and black ones and the black seem to get hit more by the bears. But that could be fixed with some camo paint.
I have no one else going through my spots.
One area where my friend and I have a few cams is a pretty popular trail and we wanted to see just how many people come through it. They are locals who come through nearly every day and they have never noticed the cams. My friend initially put them up without me and I did eventually see them when he took me to the spots, but that’s because I was looking for them and knew what to look for. If you weren’t looking for them, I don’t think you’d see them. So I’d say camo cameras and painted mounts are the way to go.

[Sitkaspruce]

Have you tried any with the solar panel ,think may give one a try next have a couple spots in the opoen that would get day light most of the day.

No solar yet, but it is in the plans. I don't have a lot of areas that get a lot of sun, so I am thinking I might see what I can do about running a longer, heavier gauge cable from an open spot to the cam. Although, so far my 12v lithiums can run through November without any charging, so maybe it will be moot point.

Cheers

SS