Poll: Why Trail Cams Get Stolen

[Bean Counter]

Just curious why trail cameras are getting stolen  I'm thinking of making the plunge into camera ownership, but maybe some of you who have learned the hard way can pass on a lesson or two...

[seth30]

I have been using one for two years now, and no probs.  I dont place near roads, or trails used by humans

[bobcat]

I voted "other". It's because there are dishonest people in this world. If it's not yours, don't take it! Having said that, I've got six cameras out and most of them have been out for the last six months straight. None of them are locked, none are camouflaged. But I do have them in an area that doesn't get a lot of human activity. My main concern is here in a week when archery deer season opens. I'm thinking of pulling a couple of them, or at least moving them to less obvious trails.

[GoldTip]

I agree with wholeheartedly with Bobcats assessment, it's because there are POS thieves in this world, thats why camera's get stolen.

[huntnnw]

Brush footprints? I dont hunt in sand and silt ground you cant even see a boot track around here maybe  the occasional mole hill.. I voted other...the biggest reason I ve noticed them getting stolen around here is the cams being hung in high human traffic areas...semi urban woods lots and foothills where people hike,bike,hunters and kids playing around in the woods.

[runamuk]

because we live in a society where stealing is no longer considered a bad thing...its only bad if you get caught.....

at the core its a lack of manners

[christopheri]

I put other. It is the lack of morals and ethics. That is why game cams get stolen.

[rebal69972]

because we live in a society where stealing is no longer considered a bad thing...its only bad if you get caught.....

at the core its a lack of manners

 
 in other country's they cut off the hands of theifs in this country we slap there hands. 200 years ago we hung theifs.
 but we know the world we live in so for the cams i have had stolon i will take some of the blame. now my cams are chained and bolted (with 6" lag bolts) to the trees and i make sure they r a long way from anywhere another person will be or where people wouldn't want to go

[backyard bucks]

the last 4 years i have come across several cameras/tree stands each year. and with all of those i simple thumbs up or smile and wave for the pic.
i told a buddy about camera/self climber i came across in a local spot.. the first words out of his mouth was "why didn't you take it"!! i said are you kidding me... how do you like it when you have had your stands stolen? he understood at that point.
i myself have had more than 1 tree stand stolen from areas and I'm crossing my fingers my camera doesn't vanish. i think like others have said.. there is no consequences for actions anymore.. people figure why work for something that they can get for free.. sad!!!

so if you see someone on your camera's from north of spokane to lake stevens on the west side smiling for a pic it could of been me.. 

[backyard bucks]

one more thing to add..
i see where some have already said " it is because it is in a heavy traffic area or off a main trial"  WHY SHOULD THAT MATTER???
people should "should is the key" respect others property.. if not yours don't F@CKING TOUCH IT!

[huntnnw]

it doesn't matter...he asked why cams are stolen reasons. we all know the obvious,so I didn't state its not yours dont touch

[h20hunter]

I've been know to smile for a camera or two. Wouldn't dream of messing with one unless I noticed it was off kilter or something, then, maybe i'd take few minutes to square it up for the owner.

[Curly]

The reason for cams getting stolen is because of the reasons others have already stated..............there are a lot of dirtbags who have no respect for other people's property.

But, for the purpose of your poll, I selected "because they aren't locked".  I've heard of some that were locked but still got stolen, but most cams you hear about that are stolen are not locked.  If you have a good lock box and it is bolted to the tree and have a good quality lock, it would be real challenging to get the camera.

So, while the reason really is because there are dirtbags out in the woods, the theft may be able to be prevented by use of a good quality box and lock........

[jackmaster]

i voted for other as well because people cant keep their dick beaters off of other peoples stuff, but if your gonna put them out then put them in a place where other humans dont want to go or if they did go there they are probably the stand up types and wouldnt touch your stuff, i am the type of guy that if i see somethn like this in the woods i avoid the area all together because someone else in my mind has already laid ownership to those parts and have done there work for that area so i back the hell out of there and go find a new spot, but generally where i go i useally dont run into other people, good luck to ya...

[huntnnw]

think another reason that they are found is people have bait sites and people see the bait before the camera....I have found countless treestands due to cut limbs everywhere..look up and there is a stand. I always get rid of limbs and leave as many possible on tree so nobody sees them

[dirty24d]

i voted for other as well because people cant keep their dick beaters off of other peoples stuff,

Dude i about rolled out of my chair laughing when i read this which normally is acceptable but im at work man!!!

 

Made my day with that one right there!!!!!

 

[trophyhunt]

I voted "other". It's because there are dishonest people in this world. If it's not yours, don't take it! Having said that, I've got six cameras out and most of them have been out for the last six months straight. None of them are locked, none are camouflaged. But I do have them in an area that doesn't get a lot of human activity. My main concern is here in a week when archery deer season opens. I'm thinking of pulling a couple of them, or at least moving them to less obvious trails.

[Antlershed]

I have had two cameras stolen (one locked up and another not locked up) and another that was locked up good so they just smashed the chit out of it. I now take tree stand spikes with me and put my cameras at least 15' up a tree. Doesn't make them impossible to steal, but it deters the quick grab n go *censored*bags.

[rasbo]

why climb a mountain??because they  are there....best to have the, my camera is going to get stolen attitude before you buy one and put it out..Its a gamble...

[whacker1]

I voted "other". It's because there are dishonest people in this world. If it's not yours, don't take it!

[CallMaker]

Cameras get stolen because, to my dismay, there are creeps in the woods that think it is their God given right to steal other peoples property

[MikeWalking]

I picked Other.  The rest seem to blame the camera owner.   Fact is scum travels the woods too.   What do thieving Aholes do with stolen cameras?   

[firefighter4607]

Voted Other!! As stated many times already it because of a-holes who take them just for fun or people who don't want to get caught on camera doing stuff they shouldn't

[The100Road]

Voted other, Because people don't learn that you cant trust anyone and keep putting their cameras on public land.

[3nails]

 "Other" also. Has anyone else noticed the increased amount of rude dirtbags roaming around since the old schoolyard fistfight has been all but removed? Many a good lesson can be learned in childhood through a good ole fashioned bloody nose. Nobody dies, pride gets hurt most. Good lessons learned and taught! Some of these thieves could use a good education.

[bearpaw]

I voted other because it shouldn't be a problem. Hunters should respect each others gear. When you go to a parking lot you don't steal a truck just because it's there and nobody is looking. 

FRICKEN THIEVES

[Heredoggydoggy]

I have mine in a locked box, in a place others probably never will go.  If some lowlife wants my camera, it will take effort to get it, so chances are, if it's not an easy grab they'll pass it up.  Still, it wouldn't surprise me to see a bullet hole through it someday.

[Bean Counter]

Wow, surprised by the responses thus far. I see life as living in a fallen world where sin penetrates the hearts of all humans--some more than others. In wording the poll it went without saying (in my mind) that there are POS's in the world 

i told a buddy about camera/self climber i came across in a local spot.. the first words out of his mouth was "why didn't you take it"!! i said are you kidding me... how do you like it when you have had your stands stolen? he understood at that point.

I think if I knew someone like that, whatever relationship we had would go downhill very fast. Too often we shrug off sin for friends and family, thus becoming an 'enabler.' I think would have called him a thief and told him where he could go. 

[Bean Counter]

i voted for other as well because people cant keep their dick beaters off of other peoples stuff,

Dude i about rolled out of my chair laughing when i read this which normally is acceptable but im at work man!!!

 

Made my day with that one right there!!!!!

 

Well his name IS 'jackmaster' 

[Nilehunter]

I have been using one for two years now, and no probs.  I dont place near roads, or trails used by humans

 

[True Sportsman]

I agree with wholeheartedly with Bobcats assessment, it's because there are POS thieves in this world, thats why camera's get stolen.

I agree, a lot. When I first saw the title of the poll, I thought there would be a "because the person was a POS" category. I would have voted for that category.

[ICEMAN]

I have never used one.
 
I would argue that the reason they get stolen is because;
 
 

• The chance of getting caught are nill...
• The cameras retain value when stolen, IE: sell, or keep, valuable either way...
• The cameras do not have any digital security to make them useless to a thief
• Law enforcement cannot spend any manhours into investigation...
• Nobody has had their hand blown off removing one yet... ( I am not encouraging this...)

[champ41]

People are too big of scum bags to get their own.. 

[ouchfoss]

I would think one of the main reasons is being too close to a easily accessible area (too close to a road). I tend to only put my cameras in a place that I feel confident no one should ever have a reason to be there. Unfortunetly that means sometimes putting them in a spot that is a pain in the arse to get to. I just set one today and it was a good 45 minute hike one way into no-mans land. A little bit of sweat and time is alot cheaper than buying a new camera. 

[MikeWalking]

I have never used one.
 
I would argue that the reason they get stolen is because;
 
 

• The chance of getting caught are nill...
• The cameras retain value when stolen, IE: sell, or keep, valuable either way...
• The cameras do not have any digital security to make them useless to a thief
• Law enforcement cannot spend any manhours into investigation...
• Nobody has had their hand blown off removing one yet... ( I am not encouraging this...)

OK I will.  Recommend #5 that is...

[h2ofowlr]

You should add bears to your poll.  I bet a fair amount of them are ripped off the tree by bears.  They are curious by nature and see a toy attached to a tree.  A nice chew toy.

[bobcat]

You should add bears to your poll.  I bet a fair amount of them are ripped off the tree by bears.  They are curious by nature and see a toy attached to a tree.  A nice chew toy.

I often wonder how many of these "stolen" cameras were actually taken by a bear.

[hoytem]

they get stolen because people are dishonest low lives

[Pancraciomabary]

Even I was also using trail camera from last few months but nw it got stolen.and I agree that seriously in our world stealing is no more considered a bad thing.Now I wil have to buy it again.

[NWBREW]

I voted "other". It's because there are dishonest people in this world. If it's not yours, don't take it! Having said that, I've got six cameras out and most of them have been out for the last six months straight. None of them are locked, none are camouflaged. But I do have them in an area that doesn't get a lot of human activity. My main concern is here in a week when archery deer season opens. I'm thinking of pulling a couple of them, or at least moving them to less obvious trails.

   



 

[Bluesdude]

I also vote other, (dishonest people)  I can't count all the cameras and treestands I have found on public land, and just keep walking.  I even found a loaded stainless S&W .44 mag one time hiking into Packwood Lake, saw the guy pass me on his horse wearing the gun in a hip holster on the way in and knew it was his. (must have fallen out on the ride)  His eyes got real big when I found him at the lake while he was working back scouring the trail and I pulled it out of my fanny pack and said "is this what you are looking for?"  I will never forget that.

I have stout cable locks on both my cameras now after having one stolen last year with a more simple chain and lock system.  I also made these real looking WDFW stickers which I put on my cameras to make them look "official".  So far no one has touched them!

[CallMaker]

I like the sticker.....looks vrey nice.

[gaddy]

I like the sticker also, how about a little sticker stating that this camera has a gps tag imbeded to allow for tracking incase of removal by unotherized personel or animals to aid in our ability to recover data recorded by said unit. or this unit is linked via satillite to its host witch is being monitored for scientific research, your image has been documented as passing this location at this time.

[ouchfoss]

I like the sticker also, how about a little sticker stating that this camera has a gps tag imbeded to allow for tracking incase of removal by unotherized personel or animals to aid in our ability to recover data recorded by said unit. or this unit is linked via satillite to its host witch is being monitored for scientific research, your image has been documented as passing this location at this time.

 
Although Ive never had one stolen (knock on wood) I kinda figured some sort of sign or sticker stating that it was being watched or tracked might help deter some thieves. The WDFW sticker is a good addition to that idea too!