Python Cables (lesson learned)

[Antlershed]

Thought I’d share this story in case someone else can learn from it.

I had this camera out in a spot of hung a camera off and on for the last 5 years, and I’ve never had a picture of a person. Went to check this camera last weekend after letting it soak for two months. When I got there I found my camera damaged, but still hanging on the tree I had put it on, but aimed a different direction. I’ve always been one to just use python cables as a way to keep the opportunistic thief away I suppose. Well, this time, after trying to cut thru the cable, the person broke the camera in all three spots where the python cable passed thru it (the two points on the back, and the latch door), took it home and deleted the pictures of themselves, and then brought it back to the tree and hung it back up. All the person had on them was their bow and arrow, and I’m guessing a pocket knife.

I was able to recover the pictures they deleted of themselves, ID him as a local kid, and make him buy me a new camera as hopefully a teachable lesson (his parents were beyond shocked and embarrassed).

So, from here on out, if my cameras aren’t deep in the backcountry, I guess I will have to pack in some bear boxes to keep everyone out.

[pd]

I have bad news for you. 

My story.  I had a camera deep in the woods, in a bear box, lag bolted to a tree, AND held to the tree with a Python cable.  Thieves broke the cable, opened the bear box, stole my camera.  They left the bear box, both the front and rear halves.

The bad news: It is really easy to defeat a Python cable.  All you need is a stout branch to slip between the cable and the tree.  Twist the branch in either direction, eventually the lock on the Python will fail.  It doesn't take any other tools.

The better solution is a bear box with a padlock on the box, lag bolted to the tree.  A hacksaw would then be required.

[luckyman]

I have bad news for you. 

My story.  I had a camera deep in the woods, in a bear box, lag bolted to a tree, AND held to the tree with a Python cable.  Thieves broke the cable, opened the bear box, stole my camera.  They left the bear box, both the front and rear halves.

The bad news: It is really easy to defeat a Python cable.  All you need is a stout branch to slip between the cable and the tree.  Twist the branch in either direction, eventually the lock on the Python will fail.  It doesn't take any other tools.

The better solution is a bear box with a padlock on the box, lag bolted to the tree.  A hacksaw would then be required.

No reason to tell people how to beat the Python cable lock.
I found an even easier way to open one with no tools. Just found the weakness on accident.

[trophyhunt]

It’s no secret how to break the python locks, same thing happened to my python deep in the backcountry.  They used an elk bone and pulled it right out, luckily my heavy azz bear box, lag bots (multiple) and a bolt cutter proof lock kept the dirt bags from getting my camera.  You should post pics of the dbag that broke your camera!  What county or area was your camera in? Not looking for your spot, just curious if it’s in pierce county.

[Antlershed]

Thurston County, not too far from Tenino.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well Antler glad you were able to recoup some of your loss. Was the kid there to tell you why he did this? Sometimes that is embarrassment enough to detour this type of further activity. Sometimes its better to be over cautious and go with the non bolt cut type lock and lag bolting in a bear box even when you think your far enough away from any road. Enough people out in the woods these days that you never know. It usually not a matter of if but when these days especially if its a long soak that the thief has time to return with tools.

[outdooraddict]

I love that story, I'm more interested in the story of how you recovered the photos, and  how that discussion went  nice work.

[Rainier10]

Glad you got your gear back. Would love to hear if he had a reason he didn’t want his photos on the camera. Still awesome that he brought the cam back.

[Miles]

This is why I buy cheap cameras and don’t even bother with locks.   I’ve only lost one out of 20+ in all the years of using them.  It was a $36 Wildgame Innovation camera, so no big deal.

[Skyvalhunter]

1 out of 20 is not bad odds weather its a $5 cam or a $150 cam

[Dan-o]

This is why I buy cheap cameras and don’t even bother with locks.   I’ve only lost one out of 20+ in all the years of using them.  It was a $36 Wildgame Innovation camera, so no big deal.

I run cheap cameras as well.   

Both for this reason and just because I can afford a bunch of cheap ones or a couple expensive ones.

[Antlershed]

A $45 software download let me recover the photos because the card hadn’t been reformatted.

His explanation was that he has had some people messing with his trail cameras and he thought maybe my camera belonged to one of them. Somehow he claims he figured out I wasn’t one of the bad guys (maybe because my name is on the banner of my photos, and we live in a smal town...still not sure on that part), he brought the camera back, and actually left a note apologizing for messing with it.

I showed his photo to my buddy who has coached baseball in town for years, and he knew who the kid was instantly. I sent him a message on Facebook (only way I knew how to contact him), and explained that I had the photos, and he need to buy me a new camera. He sent me his phone number and we talked on the phone to sort it out. Shortly after, his mom sent me a very long apology as well, and she was rather embarrassed as one of her daughters had actually worked for my family’s business in town at one point.

My new camera arrives today.

[Rainier10]

Thanks for the clarification.  What an odd experience for sure.

[Mudman]

Darn kids here.  Good way to handle things. Do any of you hang em higher so ladder needed to access?  I think it would reduce theft.  I don't run cameras so its just an idea of mine?

[chiwawadan]

These can be pivotal experiences for young people - perhaps this will be a significant landmark in the young man's psychological development, hopefully toward the good. One can hope!

Glad you got your gear back and thanks for the warning!

[7mmfan]

That was an ideal way to handle the situation. The kid obviously had some good in him to begin with to return the camera. He could have kept it or tossed it and no one would have been the wiser.

Calling him out on it in a respectful way, and not calling the cops/pressing charges will be enough to keep him straight from now on I bet.

[Antlershed]

Darn kids here.  Good way to handle things. Do any of you hang em higher so ladder needed to access?  I think it would reduce theft.  I don't run cameras so its just an idea of mine?

I’ve hung them 10+ feet up the tree before, but sometimes the tree canopy is too thick to allow it.

[davk]

Not that the python cables are any good ... but I laugh at all the camera companies that have little plastic tabs that the cables go through.  That camera is robust compared to my Moultries.  Might as well have a zip tie holding the cable onto the camera.  I dont even bother.

[Thorny]

What program did you use?  I accidentally deleted a video from the SD card if the Dr singing to my newborn son in the NICU.  Haven't used the card since.

[Antlershed]

What program did you use?  I accidentally deleted a video from the SD card if the Dr singing to my newborn son in the NICU.  Haven't used the card since.

I’ll need to look when I get back home.

[Antlershed]

What program did you use?  I accidentally deleted a video from the SD card if the Dr singing to my newborn son in the NICU.  Haven't used the card since.

It is called Wondershare Data Recovery

[Gus]

Darn kids here.  Good way to handle things. Do any of you hang em higher so ladder needed to access?  I think it would reduce theft.  I don't run cameras so its just an idea of mine?

I hung one about 20' up a in tree, well camouflaged at a whorl with bark covering most of the front and sides. Someone still saw it and busted it off of the tree. The strap and bracket was still attached to the tree, camera gone. They must have beat it with branches or something, no way to climb the tree, I hung the camera with a ladder. Some good pictures before it got stolen though, may have to put up in a separate post. In the Tenino area as well interestingly enough...

[yakimanoob]

I was able to recover the pictures they deleted of themselves, ID him as a local kid, and make him buy me a new camera as hopefully a teachable lesson (his parents were beyond shocked and embarrassed).

A+ detective work! 

[bowhunterforever]

I was able to recover the pictures they deleted of themselves, ID him as a local kid, and make him buy me a new camera as hopefully a teachable lesson (his parents were beyond shocked and embarrassed).

A+ detective work!

[Thorny]

What program did you use?  I accidentally deleted a video from the SD card if the Dr singing to my newborn son in the NICU.  Haven't used the card since.

I’ll need to look when I get back home.

Thank you sir!

[Antlershed]

What program did you use?  I accidentally deleted a video from the SD card if the Dr singing to my newborn son in the NICU.  Haven't used the card since.

I’ll need to look when I get back home.

Thank you sir!

I had to buy a license for the software. If you’re close to Tenino, I could try and help you out and save you some money.

[ljsommer]

Darn kids here.  Good way to handle things. Do any of you hang em higher so ladder needed to access?  I think it would reduce theft.  I don't run cameras so its just an idea of mine?

I hung one about 20' up a in tree, well camouflaged at a whorl with bark covering most of the front and sides. Someone still saw it and busted it off of the tree. The strap and bracket was still attached to the tree, camera gone. They must have beat it with branches or something, no way to climb the tree, I hung the camera with a ladder. Some good pictures before it got stolen though, may have to put up in a separate post. In the Tenino area as well interestingly enough...

What?!? How?! I can hardly find my own cameras often when I go to retrieve, and I am the one who hung them, at roughly eye level (or a couple feet above).

[ljsommer]

Also this thread is realllly making me antsy about the 6 cams I have in the woods right now! I am always so paranoid about animals of the two legged variety getting up to no good with other peoples property.

[Britt-dog]

Lost two cameras during spring bear season. the first was in a padlocked bear box, They beat the padlock off and stole the camera. The second was in a very remote area where I was unconcerned about thieves so I didn't use a box, it was the first camera I've ever actually had eaten by a bear. Oh well

[AROTTY]

Do you guys think its worth to go with cables or a box? I just got my first 2 cams from Midway USA. I spent a $100 for both so it won't break my heart if they get stolen. I'm thinking of just using the strap and making sure its camouflaged well.

[Elkcollector82]

Do you guys think its worth to go with cables or a box? I just got my first 2 cams from Midway USA. I spent a $100 for both so it won't break my heart if they get stolen. I'm thinking of just using the strap and making sure its camouflaged well.

I would least put a cable around it. Bears even elk and deer will pull on the straps and make it come loose. So you will get pictures of the ground or looking up into the tree’s. Only reason why I use a cable it to hopefully keep it secured to a tree and not down in some drainage from an animal. Now for thieves. Cables will keep the honest person honest. But if some jack wagon wants your camera. Cables or a lock box isn’t gonna stop him. Just slow them down is all.

[cohochemist]

Buy cheap cams and expect that you will loose a few.  It sucks, I hate having this mentality, but seriously. If you run cams on public land, treat it as a donation to the "common good".