Just curious because over the years I've came across a couple. I was really surprised that someone would leave a camera on public land. I don't even think someone could be charged with a crime for taking one. You aren't supposed to leave anything on public land.

I use them for bear hunting and i hunt on public land. If someone were to take mine, believe me they would get charged if i could prove who it was. It's legal to leave them in the woods as far as i know. I've talked with game wardens and i've told them about my trail cameras out on my baits and they have never said anything to me about taking them off when i'm not there.

I hang them out before season but the minute season opens up I pull them out. I will hang them up if I plan on hunting there while it is day light out. If I don't plan on checking them everyday I pull them out. The only thing you can't leave out on public land in Iowa is blinds and/or decoys. This isn't something that either attracts game or something you can't just walk in and sit down on.

River Rat

I had a friend who had one stolen out of the woods, and another one he locked up with a chain and padlock on and someone cut the tree down on him....

If it is in an area with little traffic, I will leave the camera up for a week before checking...

I wouldn't worry about it then, where i live we get alot of people from southern wisconsin to hunt the national forest, if you don't own any land or know someone that does you have a hard time finding a place to hunt.

Yeh, I used to leave mine on public land..........until it was stolen. Now I dont have one -so I guess I dont leave it on public land.