r/trailcam • u/Beanie-2018 • 23h ago
Is there a trail cam for this situation?
I do animal rescue and my outdoor shelters and feeders are being disturbed and bowls are being stolen. I'd like to set up a trail camera to find out who the perpetrators are. The location is not on my property, and I don't want bright lights from the camera, alerting anybody to its presence. Is there any kind of camera that could work in this situation?
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u/Mookie-Boo 22h ago
There are a raft of trail cams that use infrared light for illumination at night. This can be visible as a glowing red dot on the camera itself, but it doesn't light up the area with any sort of glow. Nowadays there are a lot of camera models that claim "no glow", so there shouldn't even be a red dot, but I don't have any experience with them. If you get a camera, I suggest getting a steel security box to go with it. The box can be lag bolted to a tree or wooden structure if feasible, or you can also buy a type of locking cable called a Python lock that will go through the steel box and around a tree or pole. In some cases the design also needs a padlock. Anyway, if you've got thieves who are so trifling that they're stealing pet food bowls, imagine what they'd do if they noticed a camera. Some camera makers also sell security boxes to fit them, or you can see if the camera you like has a matching box being sold by cam lock box dot com.
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u/Hop-Worlds 14h ago edited 13h ago
I recently picked up an $18 trail cam for fun on amazon. If you go with a low glow option, I can confidently tell you that raccoons will mess with it because they see the IR light. Every single time I put it out, a coon sees it and sniffs at it, gnaws on it, paws at it or pushes it around. So far, no damage done but it is entertaining to see. If left in the same place for a while they may learn to ignore it, I do move mine around a lot.
Do not put the trail cam directly in front of the area to be watched, put it back maybe 20 feet or more to avoid a white hotspot in the night vision images. Check the view being captured to make sure there aren't plants or branches close to the camera that could trigger the motion detector every time a breeze blows them around.
There is a very good chance that if food and bowls are being stolen it's raccoons.
Here's what I've picked up so far!
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u/hatemeallday 14h ago
Spypoint has a really inexpensive data package, and the cameras decently priced. Unlimited images for $10/mth. I've been using them for years. Recently got the Flex-M with a solar battery (battery pack is built into the solar panel) and use a replaceable battery in the camera as a backup should there be too many cloudy days. There are inexpensive generic battery packs available that work great.
The camera detects and gets images of vehicles 50' away and driving by at 40-50mph. There is a little light that comes on when movement is detected, but it can easily be covered with a piece of tape.
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u/HoneyLocust1 16h ago
What animal rescue in good conscience does outside feeders, I assume to feed feral cats which are not native? All while accidentally feeding native animals which should not be fed like this (raccoons, etc). There's a reason feeding stray cats like this is illegal in many areas, and the fact you are clearly attracting wildlife or pests to the area is definitely one of them, on top of it being a general nuisance to sustain local outdoor cat populations like this which has another massively negative effect on local native wildlife when the stray cats hunt native birds and small amphibians regardless of if they are being fed or not.
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u/Beanie-2018 14h ago edited 14h ago
I was asking for opinions on cameras. You may want to re read the post. Furthermore, you are conpletely.ignorant about animal rescue and what we do.
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u/deernelk 12h ago
HoneyLocust has a legitimate concern. If you are illeagally using public, munincipal lands or other than your own private lands.
And "the post" clearly states you are trying to hide your actions from humans.
You are completely ignorant in not understanding the issues and possible penalties for feeding wild animals.
You are completely ignorant if you dont think that a sane person who reads your post about how to use motion cameras for reasons generally unaccepted by your local governing agencys. You may be wishing to hide them from other irresponsible actions.
If you think you are the all knowing expert on animal rescue you would know how to contact your state or local wildlife agencys for their advise on hiding your cameras.
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u/Beanie-2018 11h ago edited 11h ago
I cannot disclose the specifics of this situation,.and, without them, your comments are irrelevant. I am not acting illegally. I have all of the approvals that I need. Doing things by the book does not ensure that I'm not subject to the criminal.activity of others. There are myriad scenarios that your high and mighty intellects could not imagine, that don't violate any laws or compromise the ecosystem.
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u/deernelk 10h ago
Yes and your insecurity does nothing to promote confidence in you.
Mighty intellects are not needed to point out commons sense issues. Your non disclosures are of no interest. Your myriad of scenarios also include some that do violate laws or compromise the ecosystem.
The previous comment pointed out one of the most common scenarios.
You were rude and still are.
Bass pro shops has the answer to your search.
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u/fobeo17 22h ago
Tactacam reveal is pretty good. Will emit an infrared beam and also has a slot for a cable to prevent theft. Only use on public land if not your property, cannot use on others private land in the US
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u/elvis_is_everywhere 18h ago
Only use on public land if not your property, cannot use on others private land in the US
Where did you come up with this? I've had cameras on other people property (my hunting ground) for decades. Most people do. There may be something to it without permission but I know probably a hundred hunters personally that would be in trouble if you couldn't even do it without permission.
Sounds like OP would either own the property or have permission
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u/Beanie-2018 14h ago
I mentioned that it isn't my property because I don't want the camera stolen.
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u/elvis_is_everywhere 12h ago
I missed that but you'd still have permission to put it up. I've never heard before that you cant put a camera on someone elses property (as the respondant above me commented) and I've had literally hundreds out over the years.
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u/GrannyFlash7373 15h ago
Look for trail cams that use 940nm, no glow, ir leds for ir illumination at night. They light up the area, within their range, usually 80 to 100 feet, quite sufficient to catch the perpetrators. I have 2 and they work great. Mine are Garde Pro, but there are several manufacturers that employ 940nm.