Hunting & Fishing Cellular Game Cams

DeathBeforeDismount · Aug 26, 2024

I did a search and the newsest threads are from like 2020.

What do you guys recommend for cams? I got some property in WV I used to hunt as a kid, that got passed down. Its 6 hours away so we would like to set some game cams up to monitor the wildlife and anything else going up there. The top half of the property according verizons map gets LTE data.

Between all the game cams and the different plans its kind of overwhelming. Do you guys have any suggestions for reliable cams with LONG battery lives (we may only get up there once or twice a year.

hlee · Aug 26, 2024

My experience may be the outlier, but both of the game cameras that I bought failed to get signal where I wanted to place them. Even though I was talking on a cell phone at the time. But, truth be told, the cell service sucks there, and having service was a bit of an outlier.

But, I have 2 buddies that use cellular game cameras and are happy with them. One of them owns a game ranch in S TX. The other lives about 1600 miles from his property. I’ll post up the models when I hear back from them.

hlee · Aug 26, 2024

Ok, one said he uses a Cuddeback camera, but he’s not sure he would recommend them. He sends me pics and video from it, and the quality of them are fine. But, he said it was a pain in the ass to set up.

The other buddy recommends Spartan cameras without reservation. He said he has 24 of them- of various models- across his ranch. He uses the goLive models where he wants to be able to livestream from the camera (gates).

roostercogburn98 · Aug 26, 2024

I run browings with solar panels. I pay like 18 bucks a month for 2,500 images I believe. That’s more for than enough for my two spots, but you can add unlimited pictures as well, the cost just goes up. If you watch the browning site, you can catch some good sales from time to time.

They take decent quality pictures

DeathBeforeDismount · Aug 26, 2024

hlee said:
Ok, one said he uses a Cuddeback camera, but he’s not sure he would recommend them. He sends me pics and video from it, and the quality of them are fine. But, he said it was a pain in the ass to set up.

The other buddy recommends Spartan cameras without reservation. He said he has 24 of them- of various models- across his ranch. He uses the goLive models where he wants to be able to livestream from the camera (gates).

Awesome. When my buddy gets back from Alaska on his Hunt i will see he uses as well. I think he uses spartan too.

Taylorbok · Aug 26, 2024

The Spypoint ones are absolutely terrible. Admittedly they were the Link Micro (cheapest option) Spypoint was constantly doing updates which would cause it to stop working so you'd have to go update it and they really liked to do these updates right before or during hunting season. I think maybe the more expensive ones can update remotely but I wouldn't take the chance, the updates were the main cause the camera would stop.

I went to a Tactacam and I have been so happy with it. I use their solar panel also and it's been out for 3 years with no issues. I highly recommend.

diggler1833 · Aug 26, 2024

Exodus cameras are pretty solid from what I hear. My problem is that they run off of Verizon signal, and I live in one of the few Verizon black holes. I use Tactacam right now with pretty decent success for shooting hogs and coyotes off of bait.

Crgchck · Aug 26, 2024

DeathBeforeDismount said:
I did a search and the newsest threads are from like 2020.

What do you guys recommend for cams? I got some property in WV I used to hunt as a kid, that got passed down. Its 6 hours away so we would like to set some game cams up to monitor the wildlife and anything else going up there. The top half of the property according verizons map gets LTE data.

Between all the game cams and the different plans its kind of overwhelming. Do you guys have any suggestions for reliable cams with LONG battery lives (we may only get up there once or twice a year.

I often question Verizon’s info.. I placed SPYPOINT cameras in an area that supposedly had great service. Put them left them and couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting pics.. went to remove them from the woods and after driving less than 10min my phone blew up w pics. That said, I went back and sure as shit my cell phone was showing 4bars but I could not make a call, text, or go on any website. When trying to call out, it would suddenly switch to SOS.
As far as the cameras themselves, the appoints with solar panels lasted an entire year in the field with no battery issues.. I did fully charge the batteries prior to putting them out. Also set the cam to only transfer only 2 times a day.. I’m not sure of the bear population in your area but I’d recommend protecting the cameras if they are in your area. I learned the hard way. Forewarned my buddy and he literally sent me this pic yesterday .. I make a bear box from 6x8 HSS and lag bolt them to the trees with cordless impact.
If the cameras ever get the bear’s attention, they will F-k them up if not protected.

Taylorbok · Aug 26, 2024

I've lost one camera to bears also.
Good tip on turning down the send frequency. If you set it to send everytime it takes a picture that hammers battery power.

swamper2 · Aug 26, 2024

I use Tactacm by Reveal. I add a small 12v battery from Bass Pro and they run for 4-5 months No issues

zeroz · Aug 26, 2024

The Spypoint g36 has been a total piece of shit and their overseas CS even worse. The moultrie has been pretty good. Dont have experience with others

Snafu_again · Aug 26, 2024

+1 on Tactacam.
Been using them for a couple of years now, without any issues. They come with Verizon and AT&T SIM cards (eSIMs in the latest model) so you can use whichever network has the best signal. Service starts at $5 a month.

jbuck88 · Aug 26, 2024

I hate those things. Wish they would be outlawed. Nothing like getting out in nature to wind up on someone's phone. Someone set me this from a deer I got. Nothing illegal going on but sure feels like a invasion of privacy.

Mr. Z · Aug 26, 2024

jbuck88 said:
I hate those things. Wish they would be outlawed. Nothing like getting out in nature to wind up on someone's phone. Someone set me this from a deer I got. Nothing illegal going on but sure feels like a invasion of privacy.

View attachment 8488307

Buy your own property and don’t have them there. Don’t try to fuck the rest of us out of our freedoms.

Your toaster probably listens to you but a picture is an “invasion of privacy”…

And yes, I’m abrasive occasionally.

jbuck88 · Aug 26, 2024

Same as a done flying over our backyard then comes back to hover once it sees we are in the hot tub on the deck. Perfectly legal but I feel the same way.

I have zero issues if they are used on personal property. So I agree go by some land to use them on and don't mess with our freedom.

hlee · Aug 26, 2024

“There aught’a be a law aginnit” is how we got where we are today. You don’t have a presumption of privacy on public property. If you’re that private, buy some land and put an 8 ft privacy fence around it.

roostercogburn98 · Aug 28, 2024

jbuck88 said:
I have zero issues if they are used on personal property. So I agree go by some land to use them on and don't mess with our freedom.

I reckon you’ll be real upset when you buy land and then the DNR sneakyfucks onto your place and sets up cameras.

Heartstopper · Sep 1, 2024

Agree on Tactacam. I use the reveal 2.0 have had zero issues with them. Can manage all the settings from your phone once set up. Set up is easy. If you look for them they run decent sales on them occasionally. I don't have the solar panels on mine but they run a decent amount of time on good batteries.

Keeper22 · Sep 1, 2024

The store I manage sells cell game cameras and the owner runs about 70 of them on his out of state hunting property, we almost sell nothing but Tactacam and that's what our store owner runs. If battery life is a big concern buy a solar panel charger they work great. We do a lot of thermal hunting and the cell cameras were a game changer, several of our hunting areas are close to the house, camera goes off, jump in the truck and go kill hogs.

RedTimber · Sep 2, 2024

Had spy points that all went dead mid way through a season. Going on 3rd season with 5x Moultrie mobile units and am happy with cameras and service

Gtscotty · Sep 2, 2024

I have a couple Spypoint G36 cameras on my property not too far from the house. They were reasonably well rated online, but the big reason I got them is that they will send 100 pictures a month for free and I can get a plan if I want more/better pictures during hunting seasons.

The quality on the free pictures is kind of potato, but I can usually tell what's going on, and can change any settings remotely. Not sure I'd give them a glowing review for picture quality, but I haven't had any real problems.

I wish I could find a camera brand that will connect to my WiFi at the house. The Cuddeback cameras have a meshnet kind of system that connect through each other to one cell base, at one point they were going to sell a Wi-Fi base, but I think they backed out on that.

diggler1833 · Sep 2, 2024

I've used my Tactacam twice this weekend to alert me to hogs coming onto my property. Unfortunately my POS shooting sticks failed me, but I still have 9 fewer pigs to start tearing crap up once we ever get rain again.

diggler1833 · Sep 2, 2024

jbuck88 said:
I hate those things. Wish they would be outlawed. Nothing like getting out in nature to wind up on someone's phone. Someone set me this from a deer I got. Nothing illegal going on but sure feels like a invasion of privacy.

View attachment 8488307

No offense boss (I'll not be abrasive like the other response); but as long as you are where you're supposed to be, doing what you're supposed to be doing...does it matter that you walked in front of someone else's camera?

I helped a buddy nab a poacher with the game warden two years ago because of cellular cameras. Dude was still on the property sitting near the camera when the wardens rolled up on him.

It has also allowed me to go and speak with a neighbor's nephew, who was scouting my land during deer season with a rifle on his dirt bike. I get the photos 1-2 minutes after they're taken, so I can get a pretty good start on running down whatever I need to.

Cell cameras certainly aren't a burden for everyone.

Hope you have a good season this year.

shields shtr · Sep 2, 2024

I have used the Tactacams with success. Mine run off Verizon and I have noticed that they actually get a better signal than my phone does when side by side. If I have one bar on my phone it is usually 3 on the Tactacam. I really like them, I have captured some really cool shit. Got a pic a few years ago of 3 mountain lions, very unique.

jbuck88 · Sep 2, 2024

diggler1833 said:
No offense boss (I'll not be abrasive like the other response); but as long as you are where you're supposed to be, doing what you're supposed to be doing...does it matter that you walked in front of someone else's camera?

I helped a buddy nab a poacher with the game warden two years ago because of cellular cameras. Dude was still on the property sitting near the camera when the wardens rolled up on him.

It has also allowed me to go and speak with a neighbor's nephew, who was scouting my land during deer season with a rifle on his dirt bike. I get the photos 1-2 minutes after they're taken, so I can get a pretty good start on running down whatever I need to.

Cell cameras certainly aren't a burden for everyone.

Hope you have a good season this year.

Everyone gets their opinion. Mine it just people shouldn't be able to set up private security cameras all over public land.

Walked in front of it this time. Piss or shit in front of it next time? God forbid one of my boys do. There is some expectation of privacy when you in the woods, maybe not legally, but we do have some expectation of privacy.

I get the usefulness I used them when I was building my house. Private property do what you want.

roostercogburn98 · Sep 2, 2024

jbuck88 said:
Mine it just people shouldn't be able to set up private security cameras all over public land.

What’s a good use for public land? I’d like to see a rule book started for this myself.

jrassy · Sep 2, 2024

+ 1 for Moultrie and i have T mobile no issues where i hunt.

R_A_W · Sep 20, 2024

There’s a good chance you’ll be disappointed by those cell coverage maps. I was… I wouldn’t consider anything without a port for an auxiliary antenna (particularly if you want to use it through the spring/summer) and a solar panel.

I learned the hard way using Browning’s Defender Pro Max last year for a similar use case. Other than reception issues, it has been reliable, takes really great pictures, their online system & app are easy to use. Unfortunately it has no attachment point for an auxiliary antenna. Looks like this year’s updated HD model has an antenna.

Browning’s app & website allow you to force sync, delete media, change settings, monitor battery life, cellular signal, etc. from across the country, but I’m pretty sure any other mainstream brand’s app will do that as well. I’d also consider one of those steel lock boxes, depending on how/where you intend to mount it.

smcfarland · Oct 5, 2024

Installed 3 Tactacam Reveal 3.0 on my place this past weekend and have been very happy so far. Super easy setup, ran the updates, and have been getting pictures since. So much easier to manage photos daily than to show up each month and spend the first few hours pulling cards and deleting/managing photos.

CaptNemo · Oct 5, 2024

I joined an established club and bought both box cams and cell cams.
I bought Moultrie Edge and the Delta Base cameras. The Edge cameras were pretty much "set it and forget it" really simple and worked well if the had good cell coverage. If you marginal coverage, it was a pain to get photos back.
The antenna and the memory are built in so you can't swap out an SD Card to get photos off the camera.
You have to bring the camera into coverage and let the photos download ( You may be able to connect to wifi but I didn't mess with that.
The Delta Base cameras had an SD Card as well as the opportunity to connect an external High Gain Antenna that you could place up in the tree. I had one of the Delta Base Cameras go kaput and warranty service from Moultrie was very good, based here in Alabama so I was pleased.
This season I switched over my cell cams to Tactacam Reveal 2.0's and have external antennas on three cams that are in areas of marginal cell coverage.
At the camp, north part of the property has better Verizon Coverage and southern part has better ATT Coverage. That's something you figure out with trial & error.
Going forward, external antenna and SD Cards are a must have. Even if the batteries are low enough that It won't connect to cellular, the camera will still record photos to the SD Card and swapping out cards will allow you to recover the photos ( & Video )
Hope That Helps

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