placing a trail cam high in the tree to prevent theft

[Stickerbush]

I was thinking instead of investing in a lock box system, does anyone have success climbing a tree and placing their camera at an angle to prevent theft? Just trying to think out of the box and keep from getting a cam stolen

[Band]

That's what I do after having one stolen a couple years ago at eye level.  Use screw-in steps and a screw-in adjustable holder to point your cam on a downward angle.  Make sure you remove the steps and take them with you to improve your odds of people leaving the cam alone in case they see it up there.

[Stickerbush]

I think we are on to something

[Katmai Guy]

I bought 3 sections of strap on ladder to set my cameras.  I put them anywhere from 7' to 20' high. if Somebody wants my camera they need to bring a chainsaw or go buy some ladder sections.

[cougforester]

I do three screw in steps, knock off as many lower limbs as I can on my way up to prevent easy climbing, then use a cable lock to secure the camera to the tree. Stick a couple sticks behind the camera to get the angle right, then pull the steps as you climb down. I also put a mini-padlock on the door of the camera to prevent anyone from just taking the SD card.

[luckyman]

I have set mine high before and got great pics looking down. I have had some cameras stole before but not for a very long time. The thing I decided was the ones that were taken where all placed in a bad way. easily spotted. I place mine where you have to weave or step carefully like at a large log laying across the path or a sharp drop. I have pictures where all traffic is looking at the ground as they walk by and the cameras are in plain sight. I think careful placement is the key.

[Jeremy S]

I think careful placement is the key.

About half of mine are 12' up in trees. I don't lock them up. Bears haven't messed with them yet and people don't see them so far. Great pics at eye level can be apealing enough to be wall hangers but don't have the same feel from up high. Also you will miss animals that might possibly be passing by because your frame of view can be much smaller.

[trophyhunt]

The dirtbags will catch on eventually, they now carry bolt cutters because we started locking them, some carry hacksaws.  They will also start carrying screw in steps i bet, we need to keep getting pics of these A holes and putting them on social media. 

[Blacktail Sniper]

The dirtbags will catch on eventually, they now carry bolt cutters because we started locking them, some carry hacksaws.  They will also start carrying screw in steps i bet, we need to keep getting pics of these A holes and putting them on social media.

It just fascinates still, me how hard these oxygen wasters will work to steal vs just working honestly...

[trophyhunt]

The dirtbags will catch on eventually, they now carry bolt cutters because we started locking them, some carry hacksaws.  They will also start carrying screw in steps i bet, we need to keep getting pics of these A holes and putting them on social media.

It just fascinates still, me how hard these oxygen wasters will work to steal vs just working honestly...

me too, especially because most are probably fellow hunters.  I’ll never understand.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Or they will just shoot it. Few years back one of mine was shot. 

[Skyvalhunter]

hopefully it didn't damage the sd card

[Blacktail Sniper]

The dirtbags will catch on eventually, they now carry bolt cutters because we started locking them, some carry hacksaws.  They will also start carrying screw in steps i bet, we need to keep getting pics of these A holes and putting them on social media.

It just fascinates still, me how hard these oxygen wasters will work to steal vs just working honestly...

Boy! That was dyslexic moment if there ever was one... 

[Naches Sportsman]

After I saw this thread, I went up to change batteries and an SD card out of my current cam and put another one up to take pictures along with cam 1 taking video. I put the second cam facing the opposite direction of camera 1 10' up. We will see how it does this winter. I doubt anyone will go down there, but better to be safe than sorry. Especially when I had one stolen this year 5 nautical miles from this cam.

[Machias]

Curious, every camera I have, has a security code to turn it on.  Making it useless if someone stole it.  Aren't most cameras made, have the security codes?

[The scout]

Curious, every camera I have, has a security code to turn it on.  Making it useless if someone stole it.  Aren't most cameras made, have the security codes?

I have owned 20ish cameras and never had one that had a code

[huntingfool7]

Reconyx needs a code

[haugenna]

Delete this thread. Unfortunately there are thieves among us. We are telling them how we operate to catch them.

[justyhntr]

I've started carrying a stripped down climbing tree stand on a pack frame. It makes it a little easier to set the camera and get it to the right angle .

[Machias]

Curious, every camera I have, has a security code to turn it on.  Making it useless if someone stole it.  Aren't most cameras made, have the security codes?

I have owned 20ish cameras and never had one that had a code

I have 5 and they all need a security code, won't turn on without the proper code.   Seems like this one thing would virtually eliminate thefts as the thief would not be able to use the cameras after they stole them.

[lokidog]

Curious, every camera I have, has a security code to turn it on.  Making it useless if someone stole it.  Aren't most cameras made, have the security codes?

I have owned 20ish cameras and never had one that had a code

I have 5 and they all need a security code, won't turn on without the proper code.   Seems like this one thing would virtually eliminate thefts as the thief would not be able to use the cameras after they stole them.

But is it obvious that you would need a code?  Might be taken and tossed later if not obvious while on the tree.   

[Machias]

No it's NOT obvious, but I was under the impression they were all this way (wrong assumption).  If they were then it would become common knowledge and would probably greatly reduce thefts.  Of course maybe the Trail Camera industry knows that and does not want that as a standard feature...how else would they get you to continue buying trail cameras to replace cameras stolen?  I would not buy a trail camera without the security code and I will start putting a little note on the outside of my metal boxes.

[Skyvalhunter]

What will the note say?

[Machias]

"This camera requires a security code to operate, stealing it is pointless"

Think about it though, if all Trail Cameras made had a security code and most people know that, what would be the point of stealing it, you couldn't use it.  I'm not saying it would prevent all thefts or damage, but it would seem it would certainly curb a lot of it?