Get Your 9 Top Trail Camera Questions Answered Here

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Once you understand the basics of trail cameras then all that’s left to do is the pick the best one. Find the answers to your trail camera questions here. Read on…

Table of Contents

What are other names for trail cameras?

Determined largely by what trail cameras are used for, they are called various names: scouting cameras, game cameras, wildlife cameras, spy cameras, security cameras, forest cameras, deer cameras, camera traps and so on

What is a trail camera?

A trail camera is a basic camera housed in a tough, water resistant and camouflaged casing. Trail cameras take still shots, video or both stills and video when the camera’s motion sensors are triggered. Data is recorded either on the phone itself with a memory card or relayed wirelessly to a remote computer or cell phone.

Pictured here is a typical trail camera with a mount, aerials, SD cards and SIM card. Click here for details.

What is PIR with regard to a trail camera?

PIR stands for Passive Infrared, which is a type of motion sensor. PIRs detect heat in the form of infrared light and they’ll typically send out an alert if something created that kind of heat passes in front of them, whether human or animal.

How do you attach a game camera?

This is one of the most common trail camera questions. The most basic way to attach your camera would be by simply strapping it in place on a tree trunk, a branch or a post with Velcro straps, which are usually supplied with the camera. You could also use screws or nails for more secure mounting. Trail cameras can also be nailed to posts or trees.

Can you get a lock for a scouting camera?

There are locks specifically made for locking trail cameras, such as the Python trail camera lock shown here.

How many batteries does a game camera need?

Trail cameras need 6 to 8 AA batteries. The packaging and instructions will tell you how many your camera needs and whether the model takes lithium or alkaline types.

How do you store trail camera batteries?

Keep the batteries as cold as possible. Batteries tend to lose their electrical capacity when they are unused and kept in hot conditions. That affects voltage steadiness and has been shown by some studies to decrease battery life expectancy by as much as 33%. Store unused batteries in a protective case or box if you won’t be using your trail camera for a long time.

What is an SD card?

SD cards are Secure Digital cards. They are more powerful and much smaller than conventional thumb drives. SD cards are used to store data on digital, video and trail cameras. They even add memory to tablets. SD cards are non-volatile little powerhouses of flash storage. They are as small as your pinkie nail.

How can I prevent my trail camera from getting stolen?

The one sure way to keep trail cameras from getting stolen is to place really high up on a tree trunk or tree branch. Another way is to camouflage the device so that it blends into its surroundings. Place the camera on or near logs, thick brush, tree stumps or boulders, then surround it with leaves, grass, old carpet fiber, pine cones, sticks and acorns.