Trail Cam question?

Captain*Kirk · October 17, 2019, 01:25:19 PM

Mods, please feel free to locate if in the wrong section...

Regarding trail cams; I've never owned one nor used one, and know little or nothing about them, for starters. I am generally old school/anti-tech, which is why I prefer to hunt with a 50 year old recurve and handmade cedar arrows to begin with. However, I can sure see the advantages of knowing 'if and when' deer are moving about my choice of stand or blind, so am considering it. The local Bass Pro has a complete aisle full of trail cams and accessories, a dizzying array of choices ranging from $50.00 to well in excess of $300.00. Where to begin?
First off, I'm presently only hunting public land and realize the possibility of somebody walking off with a trail cam. It happens. And if so, I'd rather lose $50.00 than 300, but like anything else you buy, I think one should get the best he can afford. Also, if I can get frustrated trying to adjust settings on my cell phone, I fully realize the stupidity in buying something that's way too complicated for my use.
So, suggestions, links, ideas, anyone? Thanks in advance!

Bisch · October 17, 2019, 01:30:10 PM

I have had real good luck with the Browning Strike Force cameras. They are not too expensive, and really easy to set up.

Bisch

YoungMarine · October 17, 2019, 01:44:05 PM

I have a Browning as well and it works great. I would avoid Wildgame Innovations.

SlowBowKing · October 17, 2019, 02:01:10 PM

I inherited a couple of SpyPoints and for the most part they've worked well. Believe it or not I bought one of the $28 Tascams at Wally World, and it isn't too bad. It triggers a little slower than my others, and doesn't do real good in the iffy periods around dusk/dawn, but I was impressed when you consider the extremely low price. Probably will buy a couple more of these for public land.

YMMV.

Trenton G. · October 17, 2019, 02:55:29 PM

I've used Wildgame Innovations pretty much exclusively and never had an issue with them. Maybe my experiences with them have been different than YoungMarine's.
They may seem complicated but they really aren't. There are only a couple buttons, and the only thing you really have to do is set the date and time, which is easily explained in the instruction manual. After that, it's as simple as strapping it to a try, putting in a card, and pressing the power button. They're great scouting tools, and they're just fun to check. I love seeing what's in the area, whether it's a species I'm after or not.

Captain*Kirk · October 17, 2019, 02:59:58 PM

Quote from: Trenton G. on October 17, 2019, 02:55:29 PM
I've used Wildgame Innovations pretty much exclusively and never had an issue with them. Maybe my experiences with them have been different than YoungMarine's.
They may seem complicated but they really aren't. There are only a couple buttons, and the only thing you really have to do is set the date and time, which is easily explained in the instruction manual. After that, it's as simple as strapping it to a try, putting in a card, and pressing the power button. They're great scouting tools, and they're just fun to check. I love seeing what's in the area, whether it's a species I'm after or not.

Can you check remotely via phone, or do you have to pull the SD card each time?

Trenton G. · October 17, 2019, 03:43:37 PM

Quote from: Captain*Kirk on October 17, 2019, 02:59:58 PM
Quote from: Trenton G. on October 17, 2019, 02:55:29 PM
I've used Wildgame Innovations pretty much exclusively and never had an issue with them. Maybe my experiences with them have been different than YoungMarine's.
They may seem complicated but they really aren't. There are only a couple buttons, and the only thing you really have to do is set the date and time, which is easily explained in the instruction manual. After that, it's as simple as strapping it to a try, putting in a card, and pressing the power button. They're great scouting tools, and they're just fun to check. I love seeing what's in the area, whether it's a species I'm after or not.

Can you check remotely via phone, or do you have to pull the SD card each time?

On mine I have to go pull the card. Usually every 2 or 3 weeks.

bigbadjon · October 17, 2019, 03:59:49 PM

I've had good luck with Moultrie and Wildgame Innovations but they usually last me 3 to 5 years. I am 3 years into the Browning and like it to. The only feature it lacks that is handy for hunting is password protection. It is nice to know when somebody steals one at least they can't use it.

Captain*Kirk · October 17, 2019, 04:26:32 PM

Quote from: bigbadjon on October 17, 2019, 03:59:49 PM
I've had good luck with Moultrie and Wildgame Innovations but they usually last me 3 to 5 years. I am 3 years into the Browning and like it to. The only feature it lacks that is handy for hunting is password protection. It is nice to know when somebody steals one at least they can't use it.

Good point!

Etter · October 17, 2019, 04:31:15 PM

Ive had the best luck with stealth cams. Ive had two wildgames and only one still works. I bought two of the tascos from wal mart and neither one worked out of the box.

arrow30 · October 17, 2019, 05:33:42 PM

I have a moultry that is about 5 yrs old and still works..?? I think!, I have got the cheap tasco's from wally world, some work some don't.i have had and still have a wildgame that is still working, sinse I don't buy the high dollar ones , I don't expect them to last forever. they are fun to use if you don't expect to much from them. I don't depend on them for my hunting/scouting.

trad_bowhunter1965 · October 18, 2019, 12:56:45 PM

Quote from: Bisch on October 17, 2019, 01:30:10 PM
I have had real good luck with the Browning Strike Force cameras. They are not too expensive, and really easy to set up.

Bisch

ditto they are easy to use.

Captain*Kirk · October 18, 2019, 01:02:46 PM

Thanks for all the replies! At least I have a starting point now!

dnovo · October 18, 2019, 03:49:46 PM

I've got a few of the Bushnell and one browning. I've had very good luck with all of these and great battery life. If you're on public land you might try setting them high pointed down to keep them out of sight.

Doug Treat · October 22, 2019, 08:04:34 PM

I have 2 Moultries and one Wildgame and have been playing with trail cams for about 10 years. My older moultrie cam screen doesn't work anymore but that's cause a big bear put his tooth through it. The other Moultrie was in a homemade security box and survived a crazy hot wildfire and still works. I have a picture that shows the temp at 143*F inside the box. The Wildgame is the cheapest of the 3, takes the best pictures, and is the simplest to use. Take that for what it's worth from my limited experience. Be careful. Getting trail cam pics can be addictive!

Wudstix · October 22, 2019, 08:10:19 PM

I had a full size Primos that works well, and a small size Primos that I have not tried yet.

Bigriver · October 22, 2019, 09:24:08 PM

We run at least 10 brownings, by far the best we have used. No brainer set up, nice pics, fast speed and I like the compact size.

Trail Cam question?

Bisch

arrow30