Are you a trail camera thief?

[Thehuntingdad33]

I will get right to the point.  Hunters give hunters a bad name.  I'm sure there are still some good ones out there, probably most of you folks I'm guessing.  I've been at this in Washington for over 40 years and I can't think of one single year where I haven't been sickened by the actions of my fellow hunters.  Quite frankly I find a good portion of the hunting community to be *censored*s.  Take trail cameras for example.  What do you do when you are out hunting on public land and you run across a camera?  I've seen hundreds in the woods and have never messed with any of them.  Yet we all have stories of getting one stolen.  Am I to believe that there is group of anti-hunting thieves prowling around the woods stealing cameras?  Nope.  Not buying it.  It's fellow hunters.  My son had his camera stolen from a state piece south of Cheney this week.  So if you are the guy that took it, thanks for reminding me again why I have no faith in mankind.  It's *censored*s like you that give hunters a bad name. 

[Rainier10]

I have had two trail cameras stolen by bears and one stolen by an elk.

Found all three within 100 yards with photos of the culprits.

[duckmen1]

I had the same thing happen in the last couple years in Pierce County on a small piece of land. Of course right after getting 3 different individuals walking a game trail during season. It is a shame. I feel tgese clowns doing this are not liking others in what they think is their spot. And it does suck. Theyare giving the hunting community a bad name. And seperating or deviding us among each other. Sorry tohear it happened to you to.

[CP]

On the other hand, I’ve lost trail cams due to wind storms, down trees, my neglect, or whatever, and have been called by another hunter that found my cam and wanted to return it.  (I leave my phone # in the cam for just this very reason).

The world, and hunters, are not all evil thieves.

[hunter399]

Never stole a cam.
I have had cam and SD cards taken.
I use those cables ,you can buy on Amazon for 15 bucks on sale.
Then I take tree stand steps and put two in the tree.
Put cam up,find a stick,or pinecone or anything and jam it behind the cam in the back. To kinda get it pointed down.
Cablelock it,unscrew steps,make sure you can't reach it .

It works. They can break it,they can cover with a branch.
But chances are something will still be there.
Trust no one.
I agree it sucks.
I've had more people on cam this year than any other.
I'm sure not all are hunters. But sure some are.
Most these types are lazy,they see it too high,and a cable.
They can't handle it.

[NOCK NOCK]

I have had two trail cameras stolen by bears and one stolen by an elk.

Found all three within 100 yards with photos of the culprits.

THIS 

Pretty positive that 90+% of "stolen" cams are not actually stolen by humans.  Web strapping is no match for an elk or bear.

I run quite a few cams every year, have never had 1 stolen. Have had hundreds of bears and elk screw with them though.

[hunter399]

I have had two trail cameras stolen by bears and one stolen by an elk.

Found all three within 100 yards with photos of the culprits.

THIS 

Pretty positive that 90+% of "stolen" cams are not actually stolen by humans.  Web strapping is no match for an elk or bear.

I run quite a few cams every year, have never had 1 stolen. Have had hundreds of bears and elk screw with them though.

It's true.
I even had a cub ,climb the tree and mess with cam.
After I put it up with tree stand steps.

[NOCK NOCK]

 

[duckmen1]

I have had two trail cameras stolen by bears and one stolen by an elk.

Found all three within 100 yards with photos of the culprits.

THIS 

Pretty positive that 90+% of "stolen" cams are not actually stolen by humans.  Web strapping is no match for an elk or bear.

I run quite a few cams every year, have never had 1 stolen. Have had hundreds of bears and elk screw with them though.

It's true.
I even had a cub ,climb the tree and mess with cam.
After I put it up with tree stand steps.

Have had the same experience. But have also had people mess eith cameras. Try to pry off lock boxes from trees,erase memory cards and steal a camera right after messing with it.

[Cougartail]

Technically speaking a bear is a hunter?

As for humans messing with cameras, lots of non-hunters out in the hills since covid hit.

Had a trap smashed by a non-hunter type. I have no idea why they would be where the trap was?

[Klickitatsteelie]

It’s the sad reality of this day and age. Can’t trust anyone.
I use 4” lag bolts and a lock box for all my cameras and still had one pried out of a tree and taken. Have a clear image of an individual on another camera trying to do the same thing and the sheriff department says they can’t do anything because the camera was not actually taken. No matter what we do you can only keep the honest out, sad but true

[greenhead_killer]

I feel for you. I average one stolen per year. Mile back at the least and maybe 1-2 people a year is all I get. I also lag them and use 3/16 welded boxes we make ourselves. Have come to check or pull them only to find 4 shiny studs where someone actually packed a sawzall in to cut it off a tree. Had them stolen on private land as well. It’s always frustrating. I agree with you on that when secured hard, it’s another hunter. Just the reg strap that comes with it, could be anything. Sucks being a part of this club, but going higher is probably the best option, even with a box.

[greenhead_killer]

Side note, I’ve found a lot of cams over the years. Just randomly run across them while out and exploring. I’ve never once thought to take one. I try and avoid the cam shot so I’m not on there and also to not screw up the area. I don’t get why people think it’s ok

[jrebel]

I caught one of the thieves this year.   

If I find him, I’ll make him dinner and mount his head on my wall.

[hunter399]

This one is in a lock box.