The Game/Trail Camera Revolution for Viewing Wildlife

The Game Cam or Trail Cam as it is known to its users is a unique device that is high tech in its features, yet simple to operate and enjoy for just about anyone that has an interest in wildlife photography. The popularity of these cameras has grown at a very fast pace over the past few years and they have opened up a number of usage possibilities to their users. Hunters have really taken to the cams as a wonderful tool to locate game and pattern game movements in just about any location and terrain situation. Many professional wildlife photographers as well as hobbyists are using these cams for work and play. You will find a lot of pictures in today's hunting and wildlife magazines that were taken with a gam cam as these cool little units can be in the field and on the job twenty four hours a day.

At present day, there are many versions of cams on the market ranging from the very simple 35mm film versions to the now popular digital high resolution units. Most of these digital cams will also capture video clips that are downloadable to your home computer and/or cd burner. I have also seen a couple of wireless base stations that will automatically send captured information(pictures) from your camera in the field to your computer in your home without you even having to get out of your easy chair. The more features you choose, the higher the price tag of various cams. From my recent research, you can get a good 35mm film cam for around $50.00. Digital cams start on the low end at around $60.00 and go as high as several hundred dollars. The wireless base systems that I have seen start at around $1500.00 and can go much higher. The hot item at the moment though is the new digital cams which are equipped with inferred illumination rather than a conventional flash for low light conditions such as dusk, dawn, and night time pictures. This system is unseen by game and reported to not disturb animals as a conventional flash might do. These cams start at around $300.00 and can be as high as $1000.00 depending on other unit features and manufacturer.

The cams have proven themselves to be versatile and reliable in the field under a vast range of conditions such as temperature variations, moisture, and lighting inconsistencies. Most all of the cams that I have researched and used myself and by friends, are triggered by inferred motion and heat sensors that command the cam when to take pictures. The control perimeters of the camera such as focus, shutter speed and custom features are automatic on most all models but can be adjusted manually by the user that is more camera savvy on upgraded digital versions. There is also an operating panel on each unit that is used to set the amount of pictures taken for each triggering as well as amount of time the cam rests between each trigger. Many of the newer digital cams can be set to go into sleep mode during the day or night as well as full anytime triggering. Most all of the newer digital cams also have sensor adjustments to increase or decrease sensitivity to dial in a closer triggering window to your needs and location conditions.

Motion sensor cameras have been around for many years now as they were originally developed and used for military operations. These cams then became very useful as commercial security surveillance tools for businesses and then their uses spread to up scale private residences. With new and more precise features and a variety of styles, the original motion and heat sensor activated cams have morphed into a world wide marketed creation which are today's game and trail cams.

I myself am no genius in any way when it comes to high tech gadgets, but with a short amount of time and patience I have had no troubles setting up my cams and getting great pictures. So don't let the tech stuff scare you away from purchasing one of these cams if you are in the market for one. Most of the set up and use is simply based on common sense and some good ol' trial and error. The more you use your cam, the more little tricks you learn. Let me be one of many who will tell you that some of the pictures you get really will be worth a thousand words.

I personally bought my first game cam three years ago after reading a few articles and seeing some sales ads for them. My first unit which I still have and am using regularly, is a STEALTHCAM 35mm version. At that time, these versions were just becoming available at consumer stores such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. I left our local Wal-Mart that day with my cam, a roll of Kodak 400 speed film and a package of quality AA size batteries. Once I arrived at home, I could not wait to get that thing out of its plastic case and loaded with film and jump on my ATV and get to the woods. With this unit being almost fully automatic and basically idiot proof, it only took a few minutes with the well written instruction manual to have my cam programmed and ready for action. I chose my first cam set up at the edge of a hay field that funnels out of the woods near one of my livestock ponds.

The wife and I have a small farm consisting of only 30 acres in southwest Missouri. However, our property is completely surrounded by several hundred acres of private farmland consisting of cattle pasture mingled with a lot of dense and open woods with only one road in and out of the many acres of land. I count myself lucky to have property that offers excellent wildlife habitat and good numbers of game. Since I am the only one who hunts and manages this land, the game is not pressured or over hunted.

The first week or so after setting up my cam, I would check it once every afternoon to see if any pictures had been taken. It was always fun when the display counter showed activity and after about 10 days the first roll of film was full and I headed straight for the photo lab. When my film was finished at the one hour photo, I tore into the package to see my treasures. As I scanned the pictures I found that several pictures were just of crows stealing corn but then I found three pictures of some does feeding in the evening right in front of the cam. It appeared that the flash did not bother them in the least. From that moment I was hooked on my game cam. From that first season, I have many great pictures of seven different bucks at that very first set up location and another buck at another spot in that same field. After three years with two cams, I have a lot of up close and personal pictures of deer, turkeys, coyotes, fox, racoons etc. I am having a blast with my simple little 35mm cams and they are doing their job perfectly for me. Maybe this Christmas the wife will bring me into the digital age of game cams, but if not, I'm am doing just fine with the ones I already have.

The most important thing I have learned with the game cam is that location is everything. The time of year, and knowing animal travel patterns is the key to getting great photo pictures as well as great bow, muzzle loader, and rifle shots while hunting. So try many different spots and set-ups with your cam and you will find what works the best for your terrain and success. Most of all, have fun while you enjoy the great outdoors and our American wildlife.

Over the past few years of using my game cams, I have learned a few simple DO's and DO NOT's.
I will list a few of them for your consideration.

DO NOT set up your camera directly facing or pointing straight toward the sun in the East or the West as the direct sunlight can often cause false triggers as well as blurred and unfocused images. Not only will this waste film or media card space, it can also cause you to miss the picture of a lifetime. Always position your cam at a sharp angle to the sun to avoid trigger mishaps.

DO NOT use poor quality or old film in 35mm cams. I personally choose Kodak 400 speed on the low end and 800 speed for the best day and night time pictures. If using digital media cards, occasionally format them to keep digital information sharp and useful.

DO NOT hang or mount your cam from a branch or any object that will move in the wind. Remember, cams are motion sensitive and should be mounted on something solid to insure proper triggering and pictures that are not blurred.

DO always use good quality batteries in your cam to insure proper function. Solar recharging panels are a great new accessory available for many cams.

DO often clean the shutter lens and sensor on your cam as moisture from rain, dew, and humid air can cause blurred pictures and interrupted triggering. Wind blown dust can also accumulate on the lens and sensor and cause your cam to operate poorly.

DO if possible, mount your cam between 4 and 6 feet above ground level and slightly angled downward. This will cut the chances of false triggers by wind blown weeds and leaves. On digital cams with sensitivity control, you can also help reduce this effect.

DO have fun with your cam and try not to get so overjoyed with your pictures while at the photo shop that you embarrass yourself in front of the other customers, as I have often done.