Hunting & Fishing Trail Camera Advice

[borefodder]

Hi All,

I am still somewhat new here on this forum. I did a search but didn't find anything on this topic so forgive me if this has already been covered.

I was wondering if anyone had any input or advice on a good trail camera to monitor some hunting trails. I have no exp with these prior so i thought I'd as for your personal exp. I need something that will not frighten off any animals as it is a hunting trail and on private property so don't want to spook everything out. It will be in an area where temps will fall south of 20 below at times in the winter. If they don't make one that goes that low we can always remove it after the main season in the fall. Needs to be able to take both video and pics. Color preferred, HD not necessary. Needs to have a quick response time when taking picks. The main thing is that it doesn't scare away any deer.

This is a fathers day present for my father in law. Thanks for any advice or input.

Joe

 

[LeviSS]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

I've been happy with my Bushnell Trophy Cam.

 

[khall540]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

If you don't want it to "scare" away the deer you may want a "no flash" or IR (infrared) camera. However I don't think the photos will be in color at night time with the IR. I have used both flash and IR and have been sitting in my treestand when deer walk past the camera and it flashes at them. I have never seen one take off running when the flash goes off. They may stop to stare at it a bit...

 

[hunter530]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

Moultrie IR game cameras work well for me. I'm currently using 3 M80-XT cameras with excellent results. They haven't scared bear, deer, coyote, moose, rabbits, etc.

The daytime pictures are full color and the nighttime pictures are gray scale, due to the IR flash. The camera LEDs glow red when the camera is activated at night. They are barely noticeable when they are triggered.

 

[borefodder]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go for an IR camera. The night time pics are fine in black and white I think. I just need to try and find the one that will operate in the coldest temp possible. So far I've seen ones that go to -5 but where this will go it will hit 1 15 or 20 fairly often in the dead of winter and sometimes beyond.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

The cold problem is not so much the camera itself, but the batteries. Battery efficiency goes WAY down as the temperature drops.Google cold battery efficiency and try to find out the most cold tolerant battery...maybe make up a much larger battery supply and run a wire to the camera to help out the internal battery.

 

[Outdoorsman9]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

When I was looking at trail cameras I was trying to decide whether I should get 1 or 2 "nice ones" of if I should spend a little less and get a couple more "decent ones"

I ended up going the cheaper route and went with the Primos Truth Cam 35 for around $75. So far they have been working pretty well. Left one out the entire winter and it still had like 70-80% battery life. Motion pictures at night are sometimes a tad blurry, but overall I think these are great for the price. Daytime pictures are nice and deer walking at night are also easy to see. Running pictures at night is the only place it struggles.

 

[zimmtex]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

I have two of the Stealth Cam Rogue IR digital cameras. They will do video or still pics. The animals don't pay any attention to it at all. It stamps the pictures with date, time, temp., and moon phase. It holds 8 'C' batteries and lasts many months before it needs to be checked. Below is one of my pictures from last year.

 

[S_Lunsford]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

This website has a lot of good info on trail cameras and it helps you find the one that fits your needs and budget.

If your looking for the flat out best trail cam and your not concerned with the price then Reconyx is the way to go.

 

[borefodder]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steven Lunsford</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This website has a lot of good info on trail cameras and it helps you find the one that fits your needs and budget.

If your looking for the flat out best trail cam and your not concerned with the price then Reconyx is the way to go. </div></div>

Steven was there a link to a site in there? It didn't come through.

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

 

[leagle2]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

www.chasingame.com is the site I think that he is referring to and as good as Reconyx is, the best, imo, is BuckEyeCam. www.buckeyecam.com

 

[buildertj]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

I bought a few of the Covert cameras last year. They are very affordable and they have IR and also video if you want. I never had any problems with them last season and for the price you can pick up two or three for the cost of other cameras.

Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UIX5HS/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

TJ

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

It's been my exp that most critters that walk past my cams know it's there. The IR lights up a little and even during the day they'll typically give it a look.

 

[Tunanut]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

Cheap Moultrie's work great. Cuddybac and Ryconx are great, but more money. Stay away from Steathcam/wildview if customer service is important to you. Their parent company GSM sucks the two hole much like this deer porn I get on my cheap ass moultrie's.

I got to remember to reset the date when I change batteries.

 

[wyosniper]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

I have had two bushnell trophy cams, first one got ate by a bear, the first time i used it, but the second i bought seems to be real good after you figure out the settings, i set mine up early to learn which setting and how many pics to take. I also will recommand the new trail camera holder made by hme trail camera holder. in cabelas Item: IK-460386.

 

[SHWILL]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

I have 5 of the older Cuddebacks and they have given me years of great service. I have both IR and flash models. Easy to set up and battery life is good. Don't forget ebay as some people just have the latest and greatest.

 

[sdhunter]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

We have 10 cuddebacks 2 Bushnells and 2 moultrie cameras. The old cuddebacks are the best out of what we have. Moultie next and the bushnells sucked. If money isn't an issue get a reconyx it doesn't produce any flash at all day or night. It also has a wide and far detection range.

 

[sdhunter]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

Also if there is any chance of it getting stolen get 2 and have the other one watch the the one for the deer. Thats the only way they ever catch them according to game warden I talked to after some ass**** stole mine. Along with my stand and climbing steps. This was all after he poached a deer on or ground. This year I will have a couple up high in the trees waiting for him.

 

[Paul38]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

Reconyx 600

 

[KHill3611]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

I use cuddeback's for years with no promblems, my buddies use the moultrie camera & it seems like the only last a couple of years. I have one cuddeback that is six years old.

 

[Pr0VideR]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

If it's already been mentioned I apologize, but go hit trailcampro.com and read up on the reviews. I am using a Moutrie M80xt this year. I have yet to get out and check it but it got good reviews.

 

[jdr724]

Re: Trail Camera Advice

bushnell trophy cam 8 megapixel works great. You can usually find them at the big box stores in between seasons for around $170.