Trail cams on crown land?

[Big Chris]

I'm a new bc resident and haven't hunted here yet. I have never owned a trail cam because I dont have private land to hunt. In ontario, you are taking a chance leaving trail cams up on crown land and every season cams get stolen. Is it the same here?

[r106]

Yup theres always a chance some asshole will find it. Lots of people still put them out and have no issues.

[brn2ryd]

There is always a chance your cams could get stolen. there are a lot of assholes in this world. I'm careful where I put mine for that reason and have never had one stolen.

[Wentrot]

If you put them where others are likely to walk yes they will most likely disappear. Myself and many others have never had issues though, look for seclusion.

[HighCountryBC]

Lock box lagged to a tree. Cable lock through the box and a small padlock over the front will deter most criminals.

[Wild one]

It’s always a possibility and odds increase in busy areas.

Knock on wood I have not lost one yet but I know lots of guys who have

[Fella]

You also need to worry about bears messing with them

[jac]

I put 2 out in a remote area never had a pic of a human. First human that did walk up to them stole both of them, I was mad!!!

[bigredchev]

You also need to worry about bears messing with them



I'm more worried about bears tha n people. I have had 5 out for 2 seasons now and no issues.


As stated, well off the beaten path.

[bighornbob]

I put 2 out in a remote area never had a pic of a human. First human that did walk up to them stole both of them, I was mad!!!

You always here about the lazy slob hunters that throw beer cans on the road or shoot signs. So I would expect to have cams close to roads taken. But I keep hearing more and more stories of cams like yours way off in the middle of no where being taken. These aren’t taken by the Slob hunters, they are taken by by what most would consider ethical hunters. Time to rethink who’s actually out there.

Bhb

[ryanb]

Just cause someone isn't lazy and hunts well away from a road DOES NOT make them ethical, and vice versa.

[northof49]

Maybe some folks simply don’t want their pictures taken when they are out and about on Crown land doing their thing....just sayin.

[Fella]

Maybe some folks simply don’t want their pictures taken when they are out and about on Crown land doing their thing....just sayin.
So that makes it ok to steal stuff?

[Wild one]

Maybe some folks simply don’t want their pictures taken when they are out and about on Crown land doing their thing....just sayin.

With cell phones and how people use them trail cams are low on the list of ways you are going to have your pic taken without you wanting it

becoming a theif because you’re pic was taken by a trail came is pretty low

[Brez]

You always here about the lazy slob hunters that throw beer cans on the road or shoot signs. So I would expect to have cams close to roads taken. But I keep hearing more and more stories of cams like yours way off in the middle of no where being taken. These aren’t taken by the Slob hunters, they are taken by by what most would consider ethical hunters. Time to rethink who’s actually out there.

Bhb

Assholes walk too.
We had one taken down by an elk and then a pack of wolves (the pups) played with it a couple hundred yards away - where the other camera caught them. If it wasn't for the second camera, we would have thought that a human had taken it and would not have looked for it and found it. I had 2 stolen one time but the third camera caught the SOB. I got them back.

[northof49]

So that makes it ok to steal stuff?

Those are your words, not mine

[caddisguy]

I've never had a problem and I have had some as close as 300M as the crow flies from busy main stems in Region 2. Actually recently I have a few wintering within 50M but I have expect I could lose one... we will see.

We usually run 5-7 cams and haven't had any issues with people. We saw a mushroom picker once. That's about it.

As others mentioned, the further your get your cameras from human traffic, the less likely you are to see a human. It doesn't really take much. If it involves going up hill, through anything thick or even if it feels like a bit of a workout, that has already eliminated 95% of the human traffic

Bears are more of a problem. I think cameras mimic bug nests... like termites, wasps, etc. but regardless bears will be bears and chew up anything even if it is just for satisfy that lingering plastic craving. We have had two damaged and one clawed off a tree then dragged off. Not bad for running cams for several years though.

I stick to cheap cams, aside from a few pricey ones that were gifted to me. If you're ok with the possibility of losing a camera in the $75-100 range once every few years, it is definitely worth it. I probably get a few dozen hours of video footage for each camera that gets roughed up. Well worth it to me.

Worth noting, there is also no shortage of posts from guys having trailcams go missing from private property too.

I find salt works best for stopping deer and not attracting bears. A little goes a long way, even 1/2lb. It will stop them whenever they walk by for months after it appears to have dissolved. You can get away with putting the camera further from the animal trail that way too which further reduces the odds of human discovery. That said, salt won't stop deer much after mid September, so if you want to see much in the way of fall bucks, it's best to go big stick them right on the trail, pointing up or down the trail so they are in frame longer. I tried putting down a few apples (3 apples on 2 different cams) hoping it would stop them for a better look but they just walked over them LOL

[RackStar]

I run about 6 cameras and have only had 1 fishermen hike by and 1 dog walker that waved.

Although i was in the farthest spot I’ve ever been away from the road into some late season mule deer above the river in old growth timber, i must have been in someone’s honey hole, as my SD card was mysteriously popped out of my camera on the last day of the season.

This tells me I’m in the right spot =P.

[358mag]

Lock box lagged to a tree. Cable lock through the box and a small padlock over the front will deter most criminals.

Most times , have had 2 stolen and one they tried but gave up on with the above set up .
Seems like some so called hunters are now carrying bolt cutters in the packs . *******S !!!

[HighCountryBC]

Most times , have had 2 stolen and one they tried but gave up on with the above set up .
Seems like some so called hunters are now carrying bolt cutters in the packs . *******S !!!

Yes, I remember when those dirty rotten bass turds gave their best attempt at getting that camera. It is always a risk placing our cameras on crown (and even private) land no matter how far off the beaten path we go. If someone wants our stuff bad enough they will get it. The best we can do is try and deter them.

Between guys attempting to steal our cameras, blinds etc., guys hunting over an established spot - oh and guys hanging tree stands 50yds away from your site (personal favourite) there seems to be no bar low enough for some people to go.

[northof49]

With cell phones and how people use them trail cams are low on the list of ways you are going to have your pic taken without you wanting it

Yes this is true....but some folks might like going for a walkabout to get away from all that stuff and maybe they dont want to unknowingly become entertainment for others.

[hawk-i]

I think the legal term is salvaging abandoned property on crown land...private property is a different story.

How do people think they can leave items on crown land for weeks and months on end and not think it will be messed with? Just like the guy puts up a tree stand and thinks he now has exclusive hunting rights to the area....bewildering!


So that makes it ok to steal stuff?

[rocksteady]

I find that most cams are put onto a stripped tree with no foliage so it sticks out.. maybe a few left branches or relocated ones would not make it as obvious..

[caddisguy]

I think the legal term is salvaging abandoned property on crown land...private property is a different story.

How do people think they can leave items on crown land for weeks and months on end and not think it will be messed with? Just like the guy puts up a tree stand and thinks he now has exclusive hunting rights to the area....bewildering!

We had a guy salvage our "abandoned" blind chair a few weeks back. My wife tucked it behind a rock fire pit at the end of an FSR before running off in the treeline to drop an urgent #2. Less than 2 minutes and some guy drives up and swipes it. You'd figure the fact it was tucked away and the only remotely dry thing in miles that the owner was near by.

Pretty sure they saw me chasing them down the hill on foot too, but played dumb and didn't stop. That's how it looked from seeing them in their side mirror anyway. I was tempted to fire one in the dirt to make sure they heard me, but at the same time didn't want them to think some crazy dude was chasing and shooting at them LOL. Gave them the benefit of the doubt and didn't post up the plate, but I'll definitely be asking for her chair when we bump into them again though. She was pretty upset about it. First time she found a blind stool she could sit in for hours and be comfortable we haven't been able to find the same one.

Anyway just one example (that could have been an honest mistake) but no shortage other examples of sticky fingers types out there who like to pretend things are abandoned as self justification to make them feel better about being a dirty thief. "I came across it and didn't see anyone around... must be abandoned... yoink!".

Guessing a lot of the trailcams swiped with this justification have fresh salt in front of them and batteries at 90% too. I can't see too many expensive trailcams being truly abandoned. Someone is coming back for it. I can see someone maybe forgetting where it was, but that's a rare exception and I'd give the guy a good decade or so before I even thought about touching it.

[jac]

I think the legal term is salvaging abandoned property on crown land...private property is a different story.

How do people think they can leave items on crown land for weeks and months on end and not think it will be messed with? Just like the guy puts up a tree stand and thinks he now has exclusive hunting rights to the area....bewildering!


So stealing or taking or borrowing those items is ok. If someone comes along and pulls my card and checks pics well good on them. Stealing is a different thing. I park my truck on crown land for a week when hiking I hope no one takes it.

[358mag]

Yes, I remember when those dirty rotten bass turds gave their best attempt at getting that camera. It is always a risk placing our cameras on crown (and even private) land no matter how far off the beaten path we go. If someone wants our stuff bad enough they will get it. The best we can do is try and deter them.

Between guys attempting to steal our cameras, blinds etc., guys hunting over an established spot - oh and guys hanging tree stands 50yds away from your site (personal favourite) there seems to be no bar low enough for some people to go.
No shortage of AssRats and Gut Pile hunters these days .
Sad state of affairs in the hunting community .

[Wild one]

Threads like this show the lack of respect some have for other hunters

degrads a little more each year

[Brez]

I think the legal term is salvaging abandoned property on crown land...private property is a different story.

How do people think they can leave items on crown land for weeks and months on end and not think it will be messed with? Just like the guy puts up a tree stand and thinks he now has exclusive hunting rights to the area....bewildering!

You are joking, right? It's not left at the side of a road or dropped in a ditch! It's strapped to a tree - a deliberate act! If it's not yours, leave it the f@ck alone!!! and that includes the card for that matter. If you want to see pics, put your own camera up. Have a great New Year.

[hawk-i]

You just don't get it! No one said stealing is ok! Leaving your shyt on public land will always and always has had a high probability of it going missing....you have to be pretty dense not to understand that.

What the hell do parents teach their children these days? In the good old days when people where supposedly more trustworthy my grandfather taught us, if you want to keep your stuff safe for another day...put it the hell away when youre done with it and not around! :)




So stealing or taking or borrowing those items is ok. If someone comes along and pulls my card and checks pics well good on them. Stealing is a different thing. I park my truck on crown land for a week when hiking I hope no one takes it.

[jac]

You just don't get it! No one said stealing is ok! Leaving your shyt on public land will always and always has had a high probability of it going missing....you have to be pretty dense not to understand that.

What the hell do parents teach their children these days? In the good old days when people where supposedly more trustworthy my grandfather taught us, if you want to keep your stuff safe for another day...put it the hell away when youre done with it and not around! :)

Trail camera don’t work well when i put them away in the closet at home you need to leave on the trail. If I’m going to sit there and watch them then I don’t need them. It’s a risk i know leaving on crown land but if someone take a trail cam off a tree or a tree stand that stealing to me not salvage.

[hawk-i]

You are joking, right? It's not left at the side of a road or dropped in a ditch! It's strapped to a tree - a deliberate act! If it's not yours, leave it the f@ck alone!!! and that includes the card for that matter. If you want to see pics, put your own camera up. Have a great New Year.

I don't use trail cams and couldn't be bothered to look and someones spy pics....I'm proficient enough of a hunter that I can get all the game I want without relying on electronic surveillance to aid my short comings! Some may need it though! enjoy your electronic day...most of the guys i know that have to rely on pics are the same guys that get skunked year after year but they keep showing everyone all the game they caught on their cams like they are some kind of heros.

LOL....what a joke! I'll just leave my shyt in the bush and be "holier than thou" when it goes missing.

[hawk-i]

Trail camera don’t work well when i put them away in the closet at home you need to leave on the trail. If I’m going to sit there and watch them then I don’t need them. It’s a risk i know leaving on crown land but if someone take a trail cam off a tree or a tree stand that stealing to me not salvage.

Dude, I've seen trail cams on the same tree multiple years in a row...thats abandonment!

[bankshot]

Just a tip on making theft a little more difficult.


https://youtu.be/mWfoh5qfwJ0

[dana]

Threads like this show the lack of respect some have for other hunters

degrads a little more each year

I personally see the lack of respect coming from both sides of the fence. I don't run trail cameras or pop up blinds etc but I have encountered plenty of these things in the bush far away from the roads. It seems many people use these items as a way to stake their claim. If a blind or a trail cam is set up, others must just 'f off' and leave the area immediately. I have had hunters come at me for parking at the same trailhead. They were there first so the area is theirs. Funny thing is, who is to say who was first? I know a guy that saw a trail camera placed in an area he has hunted for 25 years. He did the moon salute as he triggered it. Turns out the owner of the camera got right pissed over that. My friend had no right to moon the camera and had no right to hunt that spot because it was obvious that another hunter was set up there. Really, true story. So, with the use of cameras, you can claim an area for yourself. All other hunters that hunt it are unethical dicks because that camera proves you were there first. Doesn't matter if you were still shitting yellow in your diaper when someone else was hunting it the old fashioned way. You put the modern technology there, you claimed it. It is yours.

[Rieber]

I personally see the lack of respect coming from both sides of the fence. I don't run trail cameras or pop up blinds etc but I have encountered plenty of these things in the bush far away from the roads. It seems many people use these items as a way to stake their claim. If a blind or a trail cam is set up, others must just 'f off' and leave the area immediately. I have had hunters come at me for parking at the same trailhead. They were there first so the area is theirs. Funny thing is, who is to say who was first? I know a guy that saw a trail camera placed in an area he has hunted for 25 years. He did the moon salute as he triggered it. Turns out the owner of the camera got right pissed over that. My friend had no right to moon the camera and had no right to hunt that spot because it was obvious that another hunter was set up there. Really, true story. So, with the use of cameras, you can claim an area for yourself. All other hunters that hunt it are unethical dicks because that camera proves you were there first. Doesn't matter if you were still shitting yellow in your diaper when someone else was hunting it the old fashioned way. You put the modern technology there, you claimed it. It is yours.

I suspect this could be one of the reasons that trail cams go missing. Someone gets pissed that someone has stuck a trail cam in the other guys spot. Yup, I would also feel pretty pissed if I found a camera in a spot I like.

[twoSevenO]

Proguide66, who runs more cams than anyone I know of (locally at least), says that the only cameras he has had stolen over the years have been his Stone's Sheep cameras. Apparently SOME sheep hunters think just because they hiked 2 days into a remote spot that no one else is entitled to it. Doubt they even packed the cameras out. Probably just threw them away so he can't find them. Lame.

I climbed 6hrs up into one of my alpine spots to find 3 new guys in the area. As disheartening as it was, its public land .... not much you can do about it but adapt your hunting style to it.

[Rieber]

The messaging cameras seem like an unfair advantage. Set them up in a perimeter around your area and then wait for picture messages. Get the message and walk to the perfect ambush spot for that animal. Seems like cheating - like using drones.

[RackStar]

^^^^^^^^
must be the same guys who park the truck so no one can drive by.

Had some twats do that to my elk spot. Jokes on them because the elk are 2 hr walk away from them. Funny ass reaction as I stroll by in the dark while they are in their blinds ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD lol. They were nice enough to cut a tree down on the road to try and ruin my day. Didn’t work out as I had a old shit truck I didn’t care about, that was great to break trail in.

[BimmerBob]

The messaging cameras seem like an unfair advantage. Set them up in a perimeter around your area and then wait for picture messages. Get the message and walk to the perfect ambush spot for that animal. Seems like cheating - like using drones.

Seems the same sentiment was held by the spear hunters when bows were new, then the bow hunters when firearms came into play, then the wagon users when engine powered vehicles started showing up, then outfitters when ATV's arrived on the scene. Always something new that makes it easier for some and cheating for others...

[dana]

So if I mooned one of Proguide's cameras would he be pissed? I think he would laugh his ass off and I would be his next internet viral post. You see, there is a different mindset with some hunters these days. Back when I was a kid, you would find real treestands built on the edg s of meadows and natural openings. No one would bat an eye at you if you climbed up and sat a while. But, now, someone puts a modern prefab stand on the edge of that same meadow, they have just claimed that for themselves. It doesn't matter if people have hunted there for 50 years, that new stand claims it for the new guy. All other hunters just need to f### off and leave that spot immediately.

[Wild one]

I personally see the lack of respect coming from both sides of the fence. I don't run trail cameras or pop up blinds etc but I have encountered plenty of these things in the bush far away from the roads. It seems many people use these items as a way to stake their claim. If a blind or a trail cam is set up, others must just 'f off' and leave the area immediately. I have had hunters come at me for parking at the same trailhead. They were there first so the area is theirs. Funny thing is, who is to say who was first? I know a guy that saw a trail camera placed in an area he has hunted for 25 years. He did the moon salute as he triggered it. Turns out the owner of the camera got right pissed over that. My friend had no right to moon the camera and had no right to hunt that spot because it was obvious that another hunter was set up there. Really, true story. So, with the use of cameras, you can claim an area for yourself. All other hunters that hunt it are unethical dicks because that camera proves you were there first. Doesn't matter if you were still shitting yellow in your diaper when someone else was hunting it the old fashioned way. You put the modern technology there, you claimed it. It is yours.

I am not saying the lack of respect is restricted to any one group

Just an overall lack of respect not just the subject of trail cams, blinds, and bait stuff. I truly hate even settling up camp in well known hunting areas.

[Wild one]

Oh and Dana if you moon my cam I am posting it on a gay porn site lol

I might laugh and cringe at the pick but not get mad at all

[MOWITCH SLAYER]

I have 7 trail cameras. two are on our farm. The other five go out over most of region 8 and i move them around every two weeks. I've had bears tear them out of trees and iv had the cards disappear. But so far they have all come home. i hide then as good as i can, mostly near water. Trail cameras is a fun and rewarding hobby. My cameras go out from as soon as the snow leaves and come home the end of hunting season. last year i got over 1700 pics . everything from grizzlies to gophers. Im retired so all summer i spend my time on my cameras. i shot my buck oct.1 he had been watering at my camera all summer.

[HarryToolips]

^^I too have had sd cards stolen, and bears wreck cams....

To the OP you can do cams to your heart's content on crown land, but yes there's always risk of the above, or getting them stolen

[twoSevenO]

I own 7 myself
None have been stolen yet, or damaged by bears. I do consider myself lucky. But i wish i could know how many have been spotted by people (if any) and left alone. So far no people on any of them. However, one did have an unusual gap in the pictures. I have been wondering whether someone pulled the card, deleted some and put it back? I guess i'll never know ....

[rocksteady]

Confession...

I have gone full moon on someones cam..

Never stole it or broke it.. hope the owner had a good giggle

[Rieber]

I would rather not find a camera but if I did, I would likely bring a gorilla mask, next time and sneak up on the camera with the gorilla head on for a close up inspection.

[northof49]

^^^^you probably did find one or two....just never knew it.

[Rieber]

^^^^you probably did find one or two....just never knew it.

Yes, no doubt. I don't look up trees when I hunt deer so it's very possible. Since I won't walk in or out in the dark anymore I've never seen one flash so you may be right. Dang it - there is no privacy. Great, now if I crap in the woods is it going up on the Internet?

[caddisguy]

Me and caddisgirl have a little skit planned if we ever run into a cam. I guess I'll spoiler it. She's gonna pretend to smoke me in the head with a rock, treelimb or some other blunt object and then drag me out of sight from the cam. Hopefully it will make a good WTH moment for someone seeing the pics or video.

I think the "I put a camera there so nobody else can hunt it" is a bit of a derail. While I'm sure it happens and it is a ridiculous claim, it doesn't really have anything to do with the original post in regard to theft. It certainly doesn't justify theft (not clear if that if that is being implied, but I'd hope everyone here is better than that)

As for it being high tech spying or cheating, aside from putting up a bunch of cell cams and using them to hunt real time, that is also a ridiculous claim. It's pretty much a hobby in itself that takes time and energy away from hunting if you really get into it. I think I have only ever shot one bear I caught on cam a year or two prior. Didn't even realize it was the same bear until I was looking back at old footage. The trailcams certainly haven't helped me in any way. It's just lots of fun.

I feel like a little kid on Xmas morning when I do a cam run and know I have hundreds of unknown videos in my pocket. I've caught all sorts of surprises. I think I even take a good share of the credit for busting the "there's no whitetails in Region 2" myth LOL

Anyway, theft is theft. Anyone who takes someone else's stuff is a lowlife, period. Thankfully it does not seem to be incredibly common given how many people run multiple cams and have never had issues, or only with bears.

[Ron.C]

to the OP. Sounds pretty obvious but don't set your cameras up in spots where there is a good chance of others seeing it. I use relatively inexpensive cameras for two reasons. 1, I can afford more and watch more areas and 2, I can't accept the risk of someone running off with a $500 camera.

In certain spots, I elevate a couple of mine using screw in tree steps, gets them out of your normal field of view. If I need to leave a camera at eye level to watch a trail, I orient it so anyone walking is unlikely to see it. But in the end, you just can't guarantee some idiot wont destroy or steal it "or salvage it" as hawk-I puts it.

Like others, I have had bears relocate my cameras so I now wash my hands and de-scent my cameras as best I can.

[wos]

I just got into the trail cam thing this year. The only person i have caught on camera was some guy snooping around my cabin. The other ones have never been discovered and if they were i would doubt anyone would touch them. I still have faith in mankind!

[caddisguy]

Dang it - there is no privacy. Great, now if I crap in the woods is it going up on the Internet?

No sir! I would keep that in my private archives. Hope that makes you feel better!! :) j/k

Funny about that though. My neighbour and fellow HBCer caught me on a cam a few years back and sent me the pic. I had gone #2 right around that same spot. Half wondered if he might have caught it and was saving me the embaressment LOL

The odds are slim, but the possibility exists enough that I have a look around before dropping a #2 or having a bush nooner

TBH I don't think anyone would post #2 footage. That ranks about as bad or worse than theft from a respect standpoint and the poster would get eaten alive. Might even be illegal... not sure. I'll still check out the trees to be safe :)

[hunter1947]

Yes its true trai cams get stolen all the time,,what I do is put the trail cam in a remote area less chance of it getting stolen

[Redthies]

I would also feel pretty pissed if I found a camera in a spot I like.

Really?

If I find a human on the one trail cam I own, I will be SUPER pissed, but then, it’s mounted to my house and faces down into my entirely fenced property posted with no trespassing signage. If I see a camera when I’m hunting on crown land, I have ZERO right to feel upset or infringed upon. Public land is just that. Public! I’ve used permanent tree stands that others have built on public land, and will continue to do so. If you put up a portable stand or blind, I won’t use that, but it certainly wouldn’t stop me from hunting that spot if unoccupied. If you are IN your stand or blind, I’m obviously going to move on and find a new and possibly better spot for that day.

Thats just how I see it. I know some would feel fine using a portable stand or blind, or even move in to someone’s wall tent if it’s empty and on public land, but to me, that’s just wrong. Public land is for all of us to use, and no single person has any more claim to it than anyone else. First come, first served.

[Redthies]

Oh and Dana if you moon my cam I am posting it on a gay porn site lol

I might laugh and cringe at the pick but not get mad at all

This forum needs a “like” button!

[Piperdown]

Yes you stand a chance of getting ripped off. I have a funny story about one of my cams. I went in to check it and as i walked up to the camera i could see toilet paper right beside my mineral rock :eek:. So i insert the sd card and i get a picture of a dog on a leash then the next picture is of this gal surveyor pulling up her pants, next picture after that is her seeing my camera with a shocked look on her face. Then there is one when she is calling on her radio to her fellow workers, i am assuming asking what to do, she opened the cam up but closed it and left the sd card in it, i hope to run into her one day and have a good laugh about it :mrgreen:

[glennw89]

I run 10 -15 trail cams on Ontario public land and (touch wood) never had one stolen. I'm guessing this area gets far more hunting/human pressure than the vast majority of BC public land. Even then I very rarely get other people on camera, despite some of the cams being only 100 - 250 meters from a logging road. Most of my trail cams are located in thick cover/steep terrain/far from trails/roads - the places deer live and people don't travel into. I've only had one SD card stolen in nearly a decade (this fall unfortunately). Most of the people my cams capture appear to have no idea the cams are there - as mentioned before do what you can to hide them. The few people who have noticed them have simply looked at the trail cam and carried on.

[Rieber]

Really?

If I find a human on the one trail cam I own, I will be SUPER pissed, but then, it’s mounted to my house and faces down into my entirely fenced property posted with no trespassing signage. If I see a camera when I’m hunting on crown land, I have ZERO right to feel upset or infringed upon. Public land is just that. Public! I’ve used permanent tree stands that others have built on public land, and will continue to do so. If you put up a portable stand or blind, I won’t use that, but it certainly wouldn’t stop me from hunting that spot if unoccupied. If you are IN your stand or blind, I’m obviously going to move on and find a new and possibly better spot for that day.

Thats just how I see it. I know some would feel fine using a portable stand or blind, or even move in to someone’s wall tent if it’s empty and on public land, but to me, that’s just wrong. Public land is for all of us to use, and no single person has any more claim to it than anyone else. First come, first served.

I know public land is exactly that - public and free for any users to use within the Law. See, I like to hunt where I believe there are no people hunting. I invest a fair bit of time once I decide on an area and I don't want to see any sign of humans in that immediate area. If I find "my" spot is getting other human traffic, I'll find another spot. It's not a big deal but I do get the sense of a lost investment and number of these spots has really diminished since I've come back into the hunt. I'm not physically fit to hike the mountains for mile any more. Terrain is a limiting factor for me as well and thus, I don't like to venture too far from the vehicle. This year my longest trek was 2km away from the vehicle and that was only because my kid was with me and I wanted to show him my old favorite area before I could no longer get myself into there. We came out with a W/T buck so that was a huge success because my kid heard my stories but didn't really believe a place like that existed - well we proved it still existed and was just as exciting as I ever remember.

When it comes to hunting, I don't trust what the other human is thinking or doing so I don't feel at ease or enjoy myself as it do if I believe I'm completely alone in my immediate vicinity. That's just my preference and the way I am. Whenever I hunt with others, well then that's a slightly different story and at that stage I'm more concerned about the location of the other person as I like doing staggered two-man drives.

[guntech]

"Salvage" is a term used by thieves as a substitution for stealing ... it makes them feel better about being a thief.

[barry1974w]

So far my two cams have been untouched. Knock on wood. We’ve hung cams at the gate a couple times to see who’s trespassing (you’d be amazed how many people don’t care about signs and gates), but 20 feet up and they’ve never been spotted.
But as an aside, my coworker had some cameras taken on public land, a third camera caught the perps in their vehicle with his cams sitting on the dash and a clear view of the front plate. He went to the cops, they wouldn’t do anything about it.

[Redthies]

I know public land is exactly that - public and free for any users to use within the Law. See, I like to hunt where I believe there are no people hunting. I invest a fair bit of time once I decide on an area and I don't want to see any sign of humans in that immediate area. If I find "my" spot is getting other human traffic, I'll find another spot. It's not a big deal but I do get the sense of a lost investment and number of these spots has really diminished since I've come back into the hunt.

I understand how you feel completely. I also have a couple of good spots that fortunately see very little traffic. I camp in a perfect spot in region 8 that holds a good sized population of elk, mule and wt. It is only about 200 yards off pavement on an FSR, but in 5 stays at this spot, I’ve only ever seen one other person actually stop and hunt, and two drive past. I do feel a sense of “ownership” of this spot, but if someone else is there, I have other spots to camp about 30 mins away. I do try to avoid busier spots as I find people (in general) tend to suck.

[.308SLAYER]

I personally see the lack of respect coming from both sides of the fence. I don't run trail cameras or pop up blinds etc but I have encountered plenty of these things in the bush far away from the roads. It seems many people use these items as a way to stake their claim. If a blind or a trail cam is set up, others must just 'f off' and leave the area immediately. I have had hunters come at me for parking at the same trailhead. They were there first so the area is theirs. Funny thing is, who is to say who was first? I know a guy that saw a trail camera placed in an area he has hunted for 25 years. He did the moon salute as he triggered it. Turns out the owner of the camera got right pissed over that. My friend had no right to moon the camera and had no right to hunt that spot because it was obvious that another hunter was set up there. Really, true story. So, with the use of cameras, you can claim an area for yourself. All other hunters that hunt it are unethical dicks because that camera proves you were there first. Doesn't matter if you were still shitting yellow in your diaper when someone else was hunting it the old fashioned way. You put the modern technology there, you claimed it. It is yours.

X2 feel exactly the same way..love your sarcasm

[Piperdown]

I personally see the lack of respect coming from both sides of the fence. I don't run trail cameras or pop up blinds etc but I have encountered plenty of these things in the bush far away from the roads. It seems many people use these items as a way to stake their claim. If a blind or a trail cam is set up, others must just 'f off' and leave the area immediately. I have had hunters come at me for parking at the same trailhead. They were there first so the area is theirs. Funny thing is, who is to say who was first? I know a guy that saw a trail camera placed in an area he has hunted for 25 years. He did the moon salute as he triggered it. Turns out the owner of the camera got right pissed over that. My friend had no right to moon the camera and had no right to hunt that spot because it was obvious that another hunter was set up there. Really, true story. So, with the use of cameras, you can claim an area for yourself. All other hunters that hunt it are unethical dicks because that camera proves you were there first. Doesn't matter if you were still shitting yellow in your diaper when someone else was hunting it the old fashioned way. You put the modern technology there, you claimed it. It is yours.

Totally disagree. We own 80 acres in 6-04, we live on the island. I go up every May cut fire wood work on the property and cabin, i set out 9 cameras as this is the only way i can do some early scouting. I don't think where my cameras are is my area, i get off the beaten path to see what an area holds and when i go back up in early September i have some intell. If someone else is hunting or scouting the area, no big deal, its a big area room for everyone, well except for the local dick who was running people off the roads with his truck, spraying rocks at their trucks and yelling to gtf out of there as this is his area and his moose. So trail cams are all good just don't steal them when you find them.

[hawk-i]

I think its high time to regulate the use of trail cams....they need to be clearly marked identifying the owner and warning of their presence so other users can avoid being spied on if they so choose.

My vote is for an outright ban on their use, electronic surveillance has no place in sport hunting. Might as well legalize drones if trail cams are allowed. :(

Just like the guy above with 9 cams out....kinda turns the odds in his favour as to where to hunt without applying any skill as a hunter. Might as well just pay for a canned hunt and be done with it!

[jac]

I think its high time to regulate the use of trail cams....they need to be clearly marked identifying the owner and warning of their presence so other users can avoid being spied on if they so choose.

My vote is for an outright ban on their use, electronic surveillance has no place in sport hunting. Might as well legalize drones if trail cams are allowed. :(

Just like the guy above with 9 cams out....kinda turns the odds in his favour as to where to hunt without applying any skill as a hunter. Might as well just pay for a canned hunt and be done with it!


Maybe you should by some they’re really fun i enjoy getting out there all year long to check the pictures. I often don’t hunt near my cameras i just like seeing’s pics of nice wildlife.

[bighornbob]

I think its high time to regulate the use of trail cams....they need to be clearly marked identifying the owner and warning of their presence so other users can avoid being spied on if they so choose.

My vote is for an outright ban on their use, electronic surveillance has no place in sport hunting. Might as well legalize drones if trail cams are allowed. :(

Just like the guy above with 9 cams out....kinda turns the odds in his favour as to where to hunt without applying any skill as a hunter. Might as well just pay for a canned hunt and be done with it!


The problem with your statement is it can be addressed to a lot of things. ATV and side by sides, range finders, bow releases, fibre optic sights, scopes above 4x (or any scope on a rifle), wind meters etc etc etc.

Where do you draw the line on what is considered unfair, how about the guns that can routinely shoot well past 500m.

BHB

[J_T]

^^"A lot of things" Last time I checked, trail cam use did not directly result in lower wildlife numbers. Can't say the same for things like GOS on whitetail does, or rifle hunting in the rut...... if we're talking fair.

[Wild one]

I think its high time to regulate the use of trail cams....they need to be clearly marked identifying the owner and warning of their presence so other users can avoid being spied on if they so choose.

My vote is for an outright ban on their use, electronic surveillance has no place in sport hunting. Might as well legalize drones if trail cams are allowed. :(

Just like the guy above with 9 cams out....kinda turns the odds in his favour as to where to hunt without applying any skill as a hunter. Might as well just pay for a canned hunt and be done with it!

This is clearly a post from someone with no experience with trail cams and hates them because of some crazy theories

You do realize that getting a pic does not mean you will actually see that animal or even get another pic again. Even if you have multiple pics conditions may always be in the animals favour so they won’t show well your there. There is a ton of animals that may only pass through once or very rarely. You need skill to even find good locations to set them effectively and most fail here. Lots of guys actually check cams too often disturbing the animals making them more wary lowering their odds. Lots of guys get only night pics and will hunt the area anyway ignoring other areas lol

Getting a pic does not freeze that animal in place or lower their intelligence. i know a lot of guys who run some of their cams strictly to get pics with no plans of hunting the area. I actually do this with my kids. I only put 3 cams out this year and all were set up in hopes of catching species I had no plans of hunting

It is clear you have no idea on this subject and they just scare you

[caddisguy]

I think its high time to regulate the use of trail cams....they need to be clearly marked identifying the owner and warning of their presence so other users can avoid being spied on if they so choose.

My vote is for an outright ban on their use, electronic surveillance has no place in sport hunting. Might as well legalize drones if trail cams are allowed. :(

Just like the guy above with 9 cams out....kinda turns the odds in his favour as to where to hunt without applying any skill as a hunter. Might as well just pay for a canned hunt and be done with it!

Cameras do very little in the way of helping someone actually harvest an animal. They only show a very tiny glimpse of what is actually in the area.

For example we usually see a dozen bears in any given year. We also see a dozen or so on the trailcams. I have only ever seen overlap between bears seen in person vs bears on the trailcam twice. One that I shot, and upon reviewing some footage from a year or two prior, I noticed I had shot a bear that was on the camera. Funny enough, that bear was a trailcam thief LOL. The other time there was overlap is the bear that charged me and snuck up on me while I was sleeping on another occasion. I have had 4 encounters with him in person and have him on camera twice. He didn't show up on cam in 2018 but I still bumped into him.

It's fun for wildlife viewing and perhaps gives a little inspiration, but that is all. Unless someone is running a dozen cellular cams and actively hunting based on notifications from the cams, they provide absolutely no advantage. Do you honestly think seeing a deer that walked by a month ago or even 3 days ago gives a hunter an advantage? And compare it with flying around a drone real time? You check your trailcam and see a big mature blacktail buck from 2 weeks ago and now there's no skill involved? LOL come on, be serious.

You know what piece of technology gives a hunter infinitely more advantage than trail cameras? A scope. Binoculars, spotting scopes, range finders, grunt tubes, can-calls, tree-stands, pop-up blinds, etc all give hunters 1000x more advantage than trail cameras. Unless you are going to take the position that all of those things should be "outright banned", I don't think your argument can be seen as viable.

Comparing cameras to drones, bringing skills into question going on about "canned hunts" really comes across as anti-hunting rhetoric. It's not much different than bow hunters who think rifle opportunities should be more limited, and traditional archery guys that think compound bows should not be allowed during bow season. Imagine if all these anti-gear guys had their way? We'd probably have a 5 day GOS season, traditional archery only.

[Keta1969]

The problem with your statement is it can be addressed to a lot of things. ATV and side by sides, range finders, bow releases, fibre optic sights, scopes above 4x (or any scope on a rifle), wind meters etc etc etc.

Where do you draw the line on what is considered unfair, how about the guns that can routinely shoot well past 500m.

BHB

This is a legitimate point and perhaps a start for another thread. What is fair chase anymore and how much tech should allowed? From your list all I would have to do is go back to a 4x scope and my first gun was lever so maybe dig the old 30-30 out. Personally I don't want to use cams, don't really agree with them but they are legal so have at it, just wish it wasn't legal to put bait down in front of them. Look at some of the tech(scopes) stuff coming and the cost and shake my head. Maybe I should buy it all then ride my new quad into the alpine where my trail cam found a deer and shoot it with my long range adjusting for everything scope. Fair chase in my mind is becoming a thing of the past but That is just my opinion and we all know what that's worth.

[blackwater]

I think its high time to regulate the use of trail cams....they need to be clearly marked identifying the owner and warning of their presence so other users can avoid being spied on if they so choose.

My vote is for an outright ban on their use, electronic surveillance has no place in sport hunting. Might as well legalize drones if trail cams are allowed. :(

Just like the guy above with 9 cams out....kinda turns the odds in his favour as to where to hunt without applying any skill as a hunter. Might as well just pay for a canned hunt and be done with it!

I'm in this camp. I understand that there are US states that prohibit them during hunting season...that is the least we should do. I'm talking crown land. Do as you wish on your own land.

[Wild one]

I'm in this camp. I understand that there are US states that prohibit them during hunting season...that is the least we should do. I'm talking crown land. Do as you wish on your own land.

You do realize road hunting is banned in many states as well. There is way more laws against road hunting in way more locations then issues with trail cams these range from out and out road hunting ban to Alberta’s law of 15m from vehicle

way more of a universal ? of ethnics when it comes to road hunting then cam use.

[caddisguy]

Comparing trailcams to drones, suggesting they actually give an unfair advantage, take all the skill out of hunting and make it a "canned hunt".

HBC really needs a "I Support PETA" section for members who want to bash legal hunting activities and derail threads with ignorant nonsense.

[barry1974w]

I think its high time to regulate the use of trail cams....they need to be clearly marked identifying the owner and warning of their presence so other users can avoid being spied on if they so choose.

My vote is for an outright ban on their use, electronic surveillance has no place in sport hunting. Might as well legalize drones if trail cams are allowed. :(

Just like the guy above with 9 cams out....kinda turns the odds in his favour as to where to hunt without applying any skill as a hunter. Might as well just pay for a canned hunt and be done with it!

im assuming you’re just stirring the pot/trolling, but..... I only own two cameras, I try to check them two or three times a year. Where I have the cameras it would be almost impossible to effectively hunt, it’s very thick with very limited visibility. I already knew there was game in the area, it’s kinda cool seeing how often individual animals come around and what’s in the area, and it’s something fun to do with my son that helps get him outside and stay interested in hunting/wildlife rather than video games

[Wild one]

The funny thing is so many guys want to ban all these different things but the truth of the matter is most of the guys out there who knock down game time and time again don’t rely on this stuff. They tag game from a combination of skill and knowledge and nothing substations can be made for this. Yes some take part in these tactics as well but that is not the factor in their success

Guys need to worry less about another’s legal methods and focus on improving their own skill/knowledge. Warning though if you do this and your success goes up you will get those who ? your ethics and if they can’t find a target here they will claim you must be a poacher

Knocking you’re fellow hunters down won’t increase your success or protect your rights to hunt

[Piperdown]

I think its high time to regulate the use of trail cams....they need to be clearly marked identifying the owner and warning of their presence so other users can avoid being spied on if they so choose.

My vote is for an outright ban on their use, electronic surveillance has no place in sport hunting. Might as well legalize drones if trail cams are allowed. :(


Just like the guy above with 9 cams out....kinda turns the odds in his favour as to where to hunt without applying any skill as a hunter. Might as well just pay for a canned hunt and be done with it!

Hopefully this is an attempt at a joke, otherwise, you my friend are smoking to much of JT's herb, oh by the way did i tell you we tipped over 4 bulls this season :) Have a good day.

[Ron.C]

I'm an avid trail cam user. If you followed my Vancouver Island archery elk thread that's obvious. I used 8 cameras over 4 months to scout and captured hundreds of elk pics, patterned bulls and herd movements. I have many pics of the bull I ended up shooting " that I shot less than 100 yards from a camera." Did trail cams help me, you bet your @#$$ they did. But I also speant countless hours behind a spotting scope, or wandering the bush scouting for wallows, rubs, bedding and feeding areas, observing wind patterns, thermals ........

What the trail cams failed do was run and arrow through an elk on day one, or two or so on. I was beaten for two weeks straight trying to put arrow in one before I succeeded. And the day I did, I made a 4 hour stalk that took me across a waste deep creek, crawling at a snails pace across 75 yard of open field to stay motionless and try to hide behind a rotten fence post freezing for an 90 minutes before I was lucky enough to get my shot.

My trail cams did help me for sure but they are no magic pill or guarantee of bagging an animal.

To each his own

[hawk-i]

No my friend I'm dead serious, there is no place in sport hunting for trail cams....I tip over a moose every year for more than the last 40+ years...don't need a cam! LOL...whats the WE BS, a real hunter does it alone! :)
Hopefully this is an attempt at a joke, otherwise, you my friend are smoking to much of JT's herb, oh by the way did i tell you we tipped over 4 bulls this season :) Have a good day.

[Wild one]

No my friend I'm dead serious, there is no place in sport hunting for trail cams....I tip over a moose every year for more than the last 40+ years...don't need a cam! :)

Please tell us what should be involved and not be involved in hunting?

[hawk-i]

Please tell us what should be involved and not be involved in hunting?

There will come a time when you don't have to ask questions like that! Well hopefully anyways!

[.264winmag]

I am fairly confident it's tougher to harvest a decent animal you've previously had on a trail cam then just randomly harvest one, on public land anyway. Someone was bragging about killing a moose every year for 40+ years straight with no trail camera? Congrats on such an epic feat on what I believe to be the easiest ungulate in our country to kill Hahahahahahahaha. Bull moose in rut are dumb as shit HA

[Steeleco]

There will come a time when you don't have to ask questions like that! Well hopefully anyways!

Might I remind you of site rule #"6. There is to be no frowning upon a member for the method of hunting used, or the sex, age of the animal. If it's legal then it's legal no if, and, or, buts!"
I'm sure there are members here that think scopes offer an unfair advantage.

Game cams is a "MODERN" method that gov't seems to have no issues with, Drones they have already ruled on.

Don't like what you see MOVE ON!!

[Piperdown]

You are too easy to bait good thing you aren't a fish. FYI bigman look at some of the threads, yes i got a bull moose this year, solo, archery and pushing 60 years of age , the one i got 4 years earlier, same thing so save the hero chit for your boyfriend. Oh and by the way only 1 bull on my cams in a totally different area, have a good day


No my friend I'm dead serious, there is no place in sport hunting for trail cams....I tip over a moose every year for more than the last 40+ years...don't need a cam! LOL...whats the WE BS, a real hunter does it alone! :)

[Wild one]

There will come a time when you don't have to ask questions like that! Well hopefully anyways!

Sadly you are one that will never learn that as ethical high and mighty you think you are in someone else’s eyes you fall short

please tell me you’re amazing ethics and how your above me because at times I use a game cam so I can strive to meet your standards

[hawk-i]

Just wait 'til they start selling underwater river cams, so you will know which runs have the largest fish....They'll be harder for others to find as well! :)

[hawk-i]

Sadly you are one that will never learn that as ethical high and mighty you think you are in someone else’s eyes you fall short

please tell me you’re amazing ethics and how your above me because at times I use a game cam so I can strive to meet your standards

Patience Grass Hopper....you're awakening is near! :)

[Wild one]

Just wait 'til they start selling underwater river cams, so you will know which runs have the largest fish....They'll be harder for others to find as well! :)

Ever hear of an aqua view ;)

[hawk-i]

thats the one you put on a down rigger, no?
Ever hear of an aqua view ;)

[Wild one]

thats the one you put on a down rigger, no?

Tv screen cable and cam can use for whatever your heart desires