In most US states using trail cameras for hunting is perfectly legal. The exceptions are Arizona and Kansas, which have outright banned their use for hunting. Eight states (Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota and Utah) have institute “limited use” restrictions on the use of game cameras on public land during certain seasons and for various target species. Are trail cameras legal for use in the USA today? Overwhelmingly, yes.
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What are the minimum requirements for using a trail camera for hunting?
- In states that permit the use of game cameras (also called trail or scouting cameras) first check with the county wildlife authorities or the nature reserve managers to ensure that you may go ahead using them.
- Whether you are hunting on private land or on public land, you should label the camera clearly with your name and contact details.
- Never hunt on private land without permission, and inform the owner that you intend using a trail camera or several of them.
- When attaching the camera to a post or tree, preferable use a strap or cable tie rather than causing damage with a nail or screw. If you must use these then preferably use only one.
What are hunting regulations in each US State for trail cameras?
Here is a table showing the status in each state with links to the applicable regulations.
NOTE: Please contact me via the contact page on this website if there are omissions, errors or any updates to trail camera regulations in your state. – Stewart McAllan.
| Alabama | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Alaska | LIMITED USE | Regulations |
| Arizona | BANNED | Regulations |
| Arkansas | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| California | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Colorado | LIMITED USE | Regulations |
| Connecticut | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Delaware | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Florida | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Georgia | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Hawaii | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Idaho | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Illinois | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Indiana | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Ohio | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Kansas | BANNED | Regulations |
| Kentucky | LIMITED USE | Regulations |
| Louisiana | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Maine | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Maryland | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Massachusetts | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Michigan | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Minnesota | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Mississippi | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Missouri | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Montana | LIMITED USE | Regulations |
| Nebraska | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Nevada | LIMITED USE | Regulations |
| New Hampshire | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| New Jersey | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| New Mexico | LIMITED USE | Regulations |
| New York | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| North Carolina | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| North Dakota | LIMITED USE | Regulations |
| Ohio | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Oklahoma | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Oregon | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Pennsylvania | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Rhode Island | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| South Carolina | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| South Dakota | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Tennessee | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Texas | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Utah | LIMITED USE | Regulations |
| Vermont | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Virginia | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Washington | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| West Virginia | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Wisconsin | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
| Wyoming | UNRESTRICTED | Regulations |
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