Abandoned game cams

[JWEBB]

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

[luckyman]

If you leave it and walk away don't cry if it gets messed with.

[grundy53]

It's sad if that's what hunting has come too. Shouldn't have to worry about thieves.

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[Skyvalhunter]

If you leave it and walk away don't cry if it gets messed with.

Spoken like a thief thinks

[fishngamereaper]

If you leave it and walk away don't cry if it gets messed with.

Does the same apply for your base camp, spike camp, or truck parked at the trailhead.....??

[Taco280AI]

If you leave it and walk away don't cry if it gets messed with.

Same can be said for your truck when you park it on public land.

Or your deer, elk, boat... anything.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

If you leave it and walk away don't cry if it gets messed with.

First person to complain if it happens to them.
If it is not yours, hands off.
Period.
Karmas a bitch.

[Axle]

I had a buddy who has cams out. He passed away a few years ago. Had a heart attack while out riding his dirt bike. Those cams would have some serious moss by now. I'm sure a few guys on here knew him. Joe Nelson. Worked for Wesco. Everyone loved him (as far as I know).
Anyway, he sure loved showing off the critters and he lived to hunt. I think he had the cams not far from Duvall and/or Sultan.

[screedler]

I had a buddy who has cams out. He passed away a few years ago. Had a heart attack while out riding his dirt bike. Those cams would have some serious moss by now. I'm sure a few guys on here knew him. Joe Nelson. Worked for Wesco. Everyone loved him (as far as I know).
Anyway, he sure loved showing off the critters and he lived to hunt. I think he had the cams not far from Duvall and/or Sultan.

Ghost cams, this brings an interesting twist to the discussion... not that I have any skin in the game! I wouldn't touch em if I didn't place em


To add some references to a regulation pertaining to leaving property in wilderness areas, i found the following:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5137394

Caching or storing equipment, personal property, or supplies is prohibited (36 CFR 261.57(f)). Caching is defined to mean leaving equipment unattended for more than 48 hours.

[Atroxus]

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.

[GoldenRing270]

Maybe some of these cameras that go missing or get "messed with" aren't stolen at all. Maybe someone is on public land hunting/fishing/birdwatching or whatever then they look up and notice that they are being filmed or photographed. They may get angry and feel like this is a violation of their privacy. Maybe folks are getting pissed off and feeling like there is no safe place to get away from it all anymore. So they take the camera down and deposit it in the nearest dumpster. I know that I don't want to feel like I am being observed each time I enter a public forest. I'm not saying that I would ever "mess" with anyone's trail camera but I wouldn't blame someone if they did. Maybe I am just old fashioned but I don't think trail cameras should be allowed on public land. In some area's it could get to the point where there's a camera on every other tree. At the very least camera's on public land should be regulated. With all the drama that trail cams are creating it would appear that regulation isn't too far off.

[Mtnwalker]

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.

I agree that at some point it does become litter. Regular use sure whatever, but it it were any other item being left in the woods unattended for years at a time people would throw a fit. I'm not speaking specifically of the cam in the OP, and I wouldn't ever take it upon myself to take one down but how is that any different than if somebody were leaving lock boxes full of camping gear chained to trees just incase they decide to come back and camp in a year or two.

[luckyman]

If you leave it and walk away don't cry if it gets messed with.

Spoken like a thief thinks

 Not at all. You take chances. lock your car up lock your house up, Hide your trail cam.
If you leave something laying around in public your'e fooling yourself to think it won't be messed with. Take the necessary steps. I don't lock up any of my cams and they don't get messed with. Don't place them where they can be seen or expect to replace it. 

[AL WORRELLS KID]

Ghost cams, this brings an interesting twist to the discussion... not that I have any skin in the game! I wouldn't touch em if I didn't place em.

"You never want to look into the abandoned camera's, for more than their batteries are cold within."
Doug

[luckyman]

If you leave it and walk away don't cry if it gets messed with.

Does the same apply for your base camp, spike camp, or truck parked at the trailhead.....??

Yes, they do get messed with.