How do you set up a trail camera?

Answer 1

1. Position your scouting camera facing north.

If at all possible, position your camera South of the intended photo area facing north.

If you position your camera aiming east or west you risk inadvertent triggers due to the rising or setting sun. In addition, aiming your camera east, south, west or anything in between can result in a photo aimed directly at the sun depending on the time of day. 2. When covering a trail, position your scouting camera at a 45-degree angle to the trail.

Never position your scouting camera perpendicular to the trail. Most cameras are not quick enough to capture a picture of animals moving perpendicularly. Positioning your camera this way will produce a picture of only the back half of an animal or nothing at all. Also, avoid aiming your scouting camera directly down a trail. Many trail cameras are not capable of detecting motion traveling directly toward them. Your best placement is at a 45-degree angle towards approaching or retreating animals. 3. Position your scouting camera approximately 15'-20' from the intended photo area.

Most trail cameras can detect motion out to at least 30'. Unfortunately, some flashes don't reach out past 20'. Also, positioning a camera too close can result in an animal entering an area and leaving before the camera takes a picture. In addition, night pictures taken at 10' or closer can experience "White Out". Under most circumstances your best photo opportunities will be at 15'-20' 4. Strap the camera to a Stout tree or camera stand positioned 24"-36" off theground If your going to strap your scouting camera to a tree make sure it's large enough to not blow in the wind. Also, attach your camera no lower than 24" or you'll likely get pictures of squirrels and other small undesirable creatures. If you attach your camera higher than 36" you risk false triggers from the tree swaying in the wind. 5. Clear all vegetation from the sensing area of the camera

Avoid false triggers from weeds blowing in the wind. 6. Affix zorb-it pack inside camera case 7. Turn camera on and confirm all settings, especially date & time. 8. Use test mode to check and verify motion detector's range 9. Double check attachment and secure all locking mechanisms if appropriate.

Most animals are curious and will sniff or bump your camera. Make sure your scouting camera will not be knocked out of alignment if this happens. 10. Place camera in live mode, wait for time out period to expire and trigger camera. Make note of the time.

Triggering your camera before you leave accomplishes two things. First, you are able to verify that it is working. Secondly, you now have a picture to reference if the date or time was not set correctly.