Trail cams on public land

[jonnyboy]

What do you guys think about putting trail cams on public land, if it's deep enough in the back country and high enough in the trees pointed down? Is it not worth the chance of being stolen? Have any of you guys hung trail cams on public land?

[B-Nut]

I have and haven't had a problem. I am new to it so mine hasn't had much time out there. Just find a spot away from the main traffic that you want to watch and hide it well.

[adictd2hunting]

 

Or buy a cheap camera for public land so your not out a bunch of money if someone steels it.  With that said i just set my cheap camera out today on public land im going to check it next saturday.  I will let you know if i still have it.   

[jonnyboy]

  But even the cheap ones are around $100 right?

[adictd2hunting]

Mine was a $60 walmart special.   But it takes pretty good pics.  I think its a tasco camera.  It works.   Nothing fancy just a camera. 

[norsepeak]

I run 6 camera every year on public land and have never had a problem.  Just gotta be smart about where you put them.

[jonnyboy]

Ok cool. I'll try to find some that's cheap and set them up this winter.

[deaner]

if somebody sees your cam and wants it theyll get it regardless of locks.  python locks and such make cams more visible.  take 2 sections of portable tree stand ladder with you and set your cam up 15-18 feet off ground, with a slate river mount to angle it right.  cant steal what they cant find

[Expedition Scout]

I run 10 camera's each year on public land. I use the bear boxes bolted to the tree. For the locks, i picked up the four lock packs so I only carry three keys that will unlock them all.

fact is, if anyone really wants to get a camera they will. I check them about once a week, so that would give someone 7 days to locate one and return with bolt cutters, that is if they didn't have a chain saw with them first.

Locate cameras in out of the way places or above the line of sight. if you find a trail that you think you want to view, then walk up the trail to a more secure location, then walk a little further.

[huntnnw]

keep an eye out on amazon or natchezz for cams

[Bookworm007]

Also if you take your camera down during modern firearm season. It can keep it out of the hands of others.

[jonnyboy]

  Thanks for all the tips. I'll try my luck and see what happens. I plan to set them up after we get some snow. There probably wont be very many people out in the cold and snow that I would have to worry about.

[Back Country]

most of the cams that I have had stolen have been when there was snow on the ground I lost three this year two this spring and one in archery season if there is snow it seems some people like to follow other peoples tracks

[HoofsandWings]

I had my two cameras on public land all summer. Not one picture of a human.
The cameras were only a couple of hundred feet off the road. In plain sight.
Apparently, there were only road-hunters in the area.
But yes, don't put the cameras where people are frequently seen.