OT - trail cams need GPS

[AJMD429]

Trail cams should have a couple features that would make them more theft-proof:

1. A built-in GPS unit that keeps sending 'beeps' so when some anal orifice walks off with your trail cam, you can send the local authorities to pick it up, and thank him for retrieving it.

• a) it could be set up so that if it was removed or disabled, the camera wouldn't function, and if this were so stated on the camera or everyone knew it, they'd not bother to steal the camera since it would be unuseable, or
  
  b) it could be set up so that it was concealed and not known to the thief, so he wouldn't realize it was there and disable it.

2. A built-in combination required to activate the camera, though the thief would still steal it unless it was obvious that it couldn't be made to work for them.

3. A built-in timer and combination so that if the combination weren't entered shortly after the trail-cam got turned all around (as in pulled off the tree), a vial of skunk-scent would spew out of a port in the unit, just to give the thief and his automobile something to remember.

As you might guess, we had our trail-cam stolen yesterday. One of those times we saw a car parked down the road, but didn't stop to write down their license number due to being in a hurry.

[mouthpiece]

Why do these cameras infuriate people so? I hear stories aboaut farmers taking them after seeing auto flashes from adjacent, public areas. Story frequently ends with, "the farmer gave it back but told us never to use it near his property again".

[Mac in Mo]

Sorry to hear that Doc. I have had stands stolen off of my property a few times and it really is maddening. This is really getting out of control everywhere. The few forums I frequent have constant reports like yours, with theft of cams and stands. It makes one think about what kinds of folks are out in the woods, why it seems that they feel they can just steal with impunity. Is it a generational thing? While I don't live on my property, it is pretty isolated and hard to get too. I never go unarmed, never. These items that are getting stolen are not displayed with neon signs pointing to them, so these folks must be spending some time looking, not just happening to find the gear.
I have gone back to using home built blinds and stands for the most part. I collect pallets and use them to build with. I also keep any treated or cedar lumber pieces left over from jobs I do. I doubt anyone will steal those. They are not something they can just throw into a truck and go.
I have heard where some folks are setting up cams to watch cams. Obviously, the security cam would have to be well hidden or high enough to keep it from getting stolen as well.
These frequent theft reports also make me wonder how much poaching is really going on. A thief is a thief,right?

Kevin

[Old Ironsights]

While I certainly recognize that there are slobs & crooks among hunters, I am far more likely to believe that these kind of thefts are the "work" of PETArds and Antis who are both trying to mess up your hunt AND trying to pit hunters/landowners at each other's throats.

I mean, after all, how DARE you hang up implements of death in Mother Gaia's Trees?

[Rube Burrows]

Shame it was stolen. Usually its someone who is not a good old boy hunting but rather some crook who sees it as a way to hopefully make some money.


There are some that send pics to your cell phone and then at least you would prob. get a pic of the thief sent to your phone. I cant afford to spend that kind of money on my trail cams though as they are quiet pricey.


Cant stand a dang thief though.


Maybe they can make one that you can have self destruct. Kaboom

[AJMD429]

While I certainly recognize that there are slobs & crooks among hunters, I am far more likely to believe that these kind of thefts are the "work" of PETArds and Antis who are both trying to mess up your hunt AND trying to pit hunters/landowners at each other's throats.

Shame it was stolen. Usually its someone who is not a good old boy hunting but rather some crook who sees it as a way to hopefully make some money.

We've had some 'PETA' types gripe that we spray-painted our border trees with orange fluoresecnt paint "NO" every 50 feet or so through the woods, with an actual "No Trespassing" sign on a tree every 100 yards. They (neighboring nature preserve) said it made their walks unpleasant to see such 'visual pollution' and 'destructive vandalism' of nature. Of course I pointed out that the paint doesn't hurt anything 'natural' I know of, and mankind's idea of aesthetics isn't something the natural critters and trees really relate to. I reminded them that if they did a better job of keeping poachers off their property, I'd not have to post mine so 'aggressively'.

Probably in this case, it was local teen-age drug-dealers roaming around looking for places to meet or plant stuff or steal stuff; another 'gift', thanks to the "war on drugs". Gotta love those Republicans - almost as much fun as the Democrats...