Abandoned game cams

[grundy53]

I have a camera in the Gifford Pinchot I haven’t seen since I think 2015. I’m assuming it’s still there. It’s in a really secure lockbox. I’m also assuming it’s probably ruined because the batteries leaked or something. I would not appreciate someone checking my pics and batteries, even though they won’t get in my lock box. You didn’t do the work to put it there. You didn’t pay for it. You should just leave it alone.

So you have a camera, presumably strapped to a tree somewhere, which you haven't checked on for 3+ years, that may or may not be leaking it's battery contents, and you still consider it your property?  Personally I think that sounds more like littering. What is the point of even having it out there if you aren't using it or checking on it? 

Seriously? Yeah it his property! He knows where it is and he spent his hard earned money on it. Littering? Doubt it has caused any harm to the environment. Bottom line, don’t mess with someone’s cam. A lot of time and money is involved with many cams. I had a cam jacked last year and it was a very sickening experience. Scum of the earth in my opinion if you take someone’s cam. Month or 5 years not yours to touch

I never said anything about touching them. I said that in my opinion it is littering. I am also of the opinion that if you pack it in you should pack it out. I just can't see the justification for leaving cameras or other equipment unattended long-term on public land.

Luckily your opinion isn't law. And no one has to justify anything to you. Just because you don't agree with something doesn't mean it's wrong.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[KFhunter]

It is littering *if* they never come pick it up, problem is only the owner knows that. 

[Curly]

I'll tell you what, if a cam of mine ever gets tampered with, I'll be the last person I would ever blame...and I don't care how or where I place it. If it gets stolen or messed with that action rests on the vandal or thief.

[LDennis24]

I can't fathom why anyone would leave anything on public land and assume it's going to be left alone. IT IS illegal to leave items unattended on most public land in most cases. First of all, I have never messed with another person's camera in the woods. I have found them before though and had run ins with people who put them up and lost them to theft and then tried to interrogate me on if I knew anything. They act like not only do they own the camera but they also lay claim to PUBLIC land surrounding it. ITS PUBLIC LAND and if I want to sit in front of your camera and hunt how will you act? What if I put up a blind in front of it and leave that with intentions of coming back later? Not once have I met a person who had a cam up on public land that seemed to realize that they do not have exclusive rights to anything in that area. And the law does state that it's littering and abandoned if it is left unattended. I can't believe that people even on here are instantly calling others thieves because they tell you it's at your own risk. It's your fault if your camera gets stolen or maybe even taken down by a Ranger or Officer. That is a fact...

[Curly]

 

[whacker1]

one of the most fascinating conversations yet.        I know others that have lost cameras.....or as previously mentioned, passed away, or are no longer physically able to find them.  Personally, I only own one and leave it out for short durations.  Maybe more and for longer intervals next year.

[grundy53]

I can't fathom why anyone would leave anything on public land and assume it's going to be left alone. IT IS illegal to leave items unattended on most public land in most cases. First of all, I have never messed with another person's camera in the woods. I have found them before though and had run ins with people who put them up and lost them to theft and then tried to interrogate me on if I knew anything. They act like not only do they own the camera but they also lay claim to PUBLIC land surrounding it. ITS PUBLIC LAND and if I want to sit in front of your camera and hunt how will you act? What if I put up a blind in front of it and leave that with intentions of coming back later? Not once have I met a person who had a cam up on public land that seemed to realize that they do not have exclusive rights to anything in that area. And the law does state that it's littering and abandoned if it is left unattended. I can't believe that people even on here are instantly calling others thieves because they tell you it's at your own risk. It's your fault if your camera gets stolen or maybe even taken down by a Ranger or Officer. That is a fact...

I can't fathom why anyone would leave anything on public land and assume it's going to be left alone. IT IS illegal to leave items unattended on most public land in most cases. First of all, I have never messed with another person's camera in the woods. I have found them before though and had run ins with people who put them up and lost them to theft and then tried to interrogate me on if I knew anything. They act like not only do they own the camera but they also lay claim to PUBLIC land surrounding it. ITS PUBLIC LAND and if I want to sit in front of your camera and hunt how will you act? What if I put up a blind in front of it and leave that with intentions of coming back later? Not once have I met a person who had a cam up on public land that seemed to realize that they do not have exclusive rights to anything in that area. And the law does state that it's littering and abandoned if it is left unattended. I can't believe that people even on here are instantly calling others thieves because they tell you it's at your own risk. It's your fault if your camera gets stolen or maybe even taken down by a Ranger or Officer. That is a fact...

Your wrong. It isn't illegal to leave cameras on most lands. Reread Bigtex's post. Also, I'm well aware it's public land and open to anyone. I have no problem with anyone sitting in front of my camera. As long as they don't mess with it. If you put a blind in front of it, that's fine.  I'll just move my camera.

"Abandoned" cameras is always a controversial subject. Realistically, for public lands it comes down to the land agency's regulations.

WDFW and DNR do not have regs for their lands.

BLM does not have a nationwide regulation.

USFS prohibits people abandoning property on USFS lands but does not define the timeframe as to when property becomes abandoned.

For US Fish and Wildlife lands property (including cameras) left unattended for over 72 hours is considered to be "abandoned property" and can be removed by USFWS employees.

For National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and US Bureau of Reclamation lands (including those areas you can hunt) property left unattended for over 24 hours is considered to be "abandoned property" and can be removed by employees.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[fishngamereaper]

So I'm chasing a big bull. Ditch my day pack to drop weight and end up farther from my pack than planned. No worries though I'll get back to it in a day or so...Is it now unattended and considered litter...  

I don't understand the mentallity of some of these post's....guess I was raised to leave other people's stuff alone...

[grundy53]

Sounds like a lot of these "fellow sportsmen" would consider it litter and have no problem taking it home. They would probably think it was their lucky day to score someone's hunting set up. Heck, maybe they will stumble across your tent if they are lucky.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[fishngamereaper]

Sounds like a lot of these "fellow sportsmen" would consider it litter and have no problem taking it home. They would probably think it was their lucky day to score someone's hunting set up. Heck, maybe they will stumble across your tent if they are lucky.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Ah yes... I've been known to not return to camp for a few days from time to time...

[Curly]

I guess I can only blame myself the time someone came into our camp and helped themselves to our cooler with all of our food.  I should have known that someone might come into camp and simply take what they wanted while I was out hunting.  Silly me.

[Bob33]

It seems to me there is a distinction based on the object's condition based on time in the field. If I see a truck parked on the side of the road and the hood is warm it's obviously in use. The same truck on its side, rusted through with windows smashed out and four flat tires has probably been abandoned.

[grundy53]

It seems to me there is a distinction based on the object's condition based on time in the field. If I see a truck parked on the side of the road and the hood is warm it's obviously in use. The same truck on its side, rusted through with windows smashed out and four flat tires has probably been abandoned.

Agreed. But even then, do you take the obviously abandoned truck home or do you report it to the proper authorities?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[KFhunter]

It all boils down to not messing with stuff that isn't yours. 

[Bob33]

It seems to me there is a distinction based on the object's condition based on time in the field. If I see a truck parked on the side of the road and the hood is warm it's obviously in use. The same truck on its side, rusted through with windows smashed out and four flat tires has probably been abandoned.

Agreed. But even then, do you take the obviously abandoned truck home or do you report it to the proper authorities?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I wouldn't take it home, but I would consider it in a different light than something obviously in recent use. I'd probably be irritated that something left it there rather than clean it up.