Some hunters and sportsmen are opposed to trail cameras. They think it gives a hunter an unfair advantage. I disagree. A hunter can go sit in a blind in the woods and can learn much more than they would through trail cameras. The flip side of that is that a hunter can have trail cameras in multiple places at once and can see many things that you’d otherwise miss. It does provide an advantage, but this website isn’t here to discuss hunting ethics. In a SHTF scenario, I want every single advantage. If I let my family go hungry because I wanted to feel sporting, I’m an idiot, and I’m hungry.
Trail Cameras for Finding Game
Trail cameras are great for finding game. My primary use of trail cameras is for first seeing what is in the area. I also try to put the camera on a well traveled trail, or on a water source. I want to put it somewhere popular so I can hopefully see as many animals in the area as I can. If I put the camera on a less popular place, or pointed in the wrong direction, I have no idea what I’m missing. Knowing how to use game cameras for prepping is as important as having them.
Trail Cameras for Establishing Patterns
My second goal in finding game is to try to see if there is an established pattern. There are some animals that are just passing through, but most animals develop a pattern. Even if a specific animal doesn’t establish a pattern, such as migrating mule deer, they will often travel the same trail in the same way, or even at the same time. Video trail cameras also can show you the general direction the wind blows, which will help you plan out how you will approach these deer, or how you will set up so your scent doesn’t upset them.
In the images below, notice how the deer are moving through at a similar time, and at the exact same temperature. When it was 50 degrees in the morning, guess where I was hunting?
Trail Cameras for Security
Trail cameras make for great security cameras. Trail cameras can catch trespassers, or they can be used to see what is eating the chickens in you coup at night. Each camera is an independent unit. You don’t rely on servers or anything (unless you opt for cell service cameras). Its a simple, self contained system. You literally just hang it up, put batteries in it, and start it. Instant security camera.
Protect Your Trail Cameras
Even in our peaceful pre-apocalyptic world, people steal both trail cameras, and the memory cards that are inside. First, I try to hide my cameras and put them in less obvious places. This is difficult because I don’t want branches in front of the camera. Branches blow in the wind, setting off the camera and filling up the memory and draining the battery. I try to go a bit further off the trail than most would think to look- about 20 feet. This will give you a wider look at what may be crossing. I also try to not put the camera at eye level, or where you eye might naturally be drawn. This might mean I put it up a bit higher, or closer to the ground.
Second, I invest in a trail camera protection box. This is a metal box that is bolted or cable locked into place. Boxes can also be painted easier than cameras can to match the tree or other surface where you put the camera, allowing it to hide a bit better.
Check out Backyard Trail Camera for more information about trail cameras.
Want to get more into hunting?
You can check out our hunting page, or you can look at these weapons you can buy super easily on Amazon that you can use for hunting.
Keep Learning
Prepping is an ongoing venture. Because of this, we recommend that you subscribe to our bimonthly newsletter to keep prepping, emergency preparedness, and self reliance on your mind. We promise, we’re not spammy, which is why we only email you twice per month. We hope you think about being prepared more than twice per month, but our newsletter is a valuable resource to help you learn new things, and just to keep prepping on your mind. Right now you can also sign up for free. You can also follow our Facebook Page for regular articles and resources.
The first snare I set for a rabbit didn’t catch anything. I was about 10 and had rigged a slip knot with some bailing twine and set it on a game trail. I didn’t know if rabbits used the game trail, but it seemed like a good spot…. READ MORE
Amazon does not sell firearms… sort of. It comes really close with some of these items. There are the most dangerous and lethal weapons I found available on amazon that anyone can purchase… READ MORE
1 thought on “Trail Cameras for Prepping”
Comments are closed.