Post by: Antlershed on February 19, 2018, 04:31:31 PM
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.
Post by: pd on February 19, 2018, 04:49:09 PM
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.
Post by: luckyman on February 19, 2018, 04:57:07 PM
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.
Post by: trophyhunt on February 19, 2018, 05:09:09 PM
Post by: Antlershed on February 19, 2018, 05:44:45 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 19, 2018, 07:09:22 PM
Post by: outdooraddict on February 19, 2018, 08:53:28 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 19, 2018, 09:34:19 PM
Post by: Miles on February 20, 2018, 03:07:43 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 20, 2018, 05:02:26 AM
Post by: Dan-o on February 20, 2018, 05:24:34 AM
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.
Post by: Antlershed on February 20, 2018, 07:28:54 AM
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.
Post by: Rainier10 on February 20, 2018, 08:50:11 AM
Post by: Mudman on February 20, 2018, 09:03:26 AM
Post by: chiwawadan on February 20, 2018, 09:04:46 AM
Glad you got your gear back and thanks for the warning!
Post by: 7mmfan on February 20, 2018, 09:13:50 AM
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.
Post by: Antlershed on February 20, 2018, 09:17:29 AM
Darn kids here. Good way to handle things. :tup: 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.
Post by: davk on February 20, 2018, 08:09:16 PM
Post by: Thorny on February 22, 2018, 06:17:48 PM
Post by: Antlershed on February 22, 2018, 06:21:31 PM
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.
Post by: Antlershed on February 23, 2018, 07:39:37 AM
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
Post by: Gus on February 23, 2018, 03:33:36 PM
Darn kids here. Good way to handle things. :tup: 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...
Post by: yakimanoob on February 23, 2018, 04:29:06 PM
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!
Post by: bowhunterforever on February 23, 2018, 05:41:22 PM
:yeah: :tup: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!
Post by: Thorny on February 24, 2018, 06:39:42 PM
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!
Post by: Antlershed on February 24, 2018, 08:37:00 PM
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.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!
Post by: ljsommer on June 20, 2018, 11:07:47 AM
Darn kids here. Good way to handle things. :tup: 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).
Post by: ljsommer on June 20, 2018, 03:41:27 PM
Post by: Britt-dog on June 26, 2018, 08:58:39 AM
Post by: AROTTY on June 26, 2018, 09:07:06 AM
Post by: Elkcollector82 on June 26, 2018, 09:13:38 AM
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.
Post by: cohochemist on June 29, 2018, 10:24:15 PM