Securing Trail Cams/ Catching theives
#1
Thread Starter
Fork Horn
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
So it happened to me for the 1st time this year. Somebody took my trail cam. I had it chained and bolted to the tree. Whoever took it decided they would actually break the camera housing to get it off the tree. Anyhow... I'm kind of on a tight budget and only have 2 cams. I was wondering what you all were doing to keep theives from taking your gear. Im thinking they might come back for my tree stand and have been driving by there every hour or so to see if I could catch em but it's killing me on gas. Anyhow, how are you keeping thieves away or better yet have you and how did you catch them in the act.
PS I tried to look up youtube videos of people stealing cams but there is only like 1 or 2.
PS I tried to look up youtube videos of people stealing cams but there is only like 1 or 2.
#2
I have a friend who had a couple stolen 2 years ago. He heard through the rumor mill who it was but the cops couldn't prove it. This year he had 5 out and someone stole the memory card for 4 of them. There is a version that will send the pics via wireless to a receiver located hidden in another place. In your case my bet is someone was trespassing and saw they were on the game camera and broke it off the tree just to avaid being caught. Low lifes to be sure. Good luck and I hope you catch them.
#3
I use metal fabricated bear boxes and that in its self is no guarantee that someone won't try to take them. But with two Pex - star drive 3" screws used to anchor the box to the tree and does that very very well and then a high grade paddle lock its all I can do.
Link
http://www.nativeoutdoors.com/scouti...MANQ#bearboxes
JW
Link
http://www.nativeoutdoors.com/scouti...MANQ#bearboxes
JW
#4
Thread Starter
Fork Horn
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
I use metal fabricated bear boxes and that in its self is no guarantee that someone won't try to take them. But with two Pex - star drive 3" screws used to anchor the box to the tree and does that very very well and then a high grade paddle lock its all I can do.
Link
http://www.nativeoutdoors.com/scouti...MANQ#bearboxes
JW
Link
http://www.nativeoutdoors.com/scouti...MANQ#bearboxes
JW
I really thought about doing this but I hunt on a military base and they do not allow you to screw or drill anything into the tree. I also looked up the tele receiver ones but to the tune of 250 bucks or so. I just did my drive by and all looks good.
However, I just talked to a buddy that does welding and we are going to try to build on the bear box and make a bracket using 1/2'' steel rod to go around the tree then connect to the box from the inside. If and when we get it built I'll post
#5
Spike
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
May need to aim 1 trailcam at the other to catch the thief.
I know that is two cameras that you risk losing but if he only messes with one of them then you should be able to catch him.
I had a lil buddy heater and a coat stolen from my tent oct 19th
it sucks when people mess with your stuff. Just replaced the heater to the tune of $95. Wish I had a trailcam pointed at the tent when that happened.
Goodluck
I know that is two cameras that you risk losing but if he only messes with one of them then you should be able to catch him.

I had a lil buddy heater and a coat stolen from my tent oct 19th
it sucks when people mess with your stuff. Just replaced the heater to the tune of $95. Wish I had a trailcam pointed at the tent when that happened.
Goodluck
#6
Depending on what Camera you want to enclose - the Bear Box does allow a steel cable - such sa Master Lock Python Cable to be used if tree screws are not applicable.
Another option is to mount them high - using a ladder.
Good luck.
JW
Another option is to mount them high - using a ladder.
Good luck.
JW
#7
Thread Starter
Fork Horn
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
actually saw that on the web site you gave me. It's an arm that you can hang from a tree limb with a camera mount that hangs down from it about 3 feet. The mount swivels where you can face it straight down at an angle or a few degrees off set. The only thing that has me concerned about this is wind setting off the cam. Either way a guy would have to get up pretty high to get at that cam or bring a ladder out with him. Kind of makes it not worth taking it.
#8
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,901
Likes: 0
From: Warren County NJ USA
#9
Typical Buck
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Northern WI
Get a DPS Truth Cam and conceal it well, pointed at the other cam from close enough to get a decent photo. It does not have a flash and takes photos at 5 to 20 second intervals from sunup to sundown. Only costs $53 on Amazon, plus shipping. And it is nice to have to keep an eye on a large area.



