Trail camera for surveillance?

[John Weaver]

I've got some yahoo trespassing on my property and I've yet to catch the sucker.  I know someone's coming in on me because they're throwing their trash down where they've walked.  

Has anybody used a trail cam for surveillance or security purposes?  I'm primarily concerned with camera noise or flash alerting the joker to the presence of the camera and subsequently stealing it.  I thought about putting one high enough in a tree that it would take a ladder to steal but I wasn't sure about the resolution from say 20 feet high.

Any recommendations or ideas would be welcome.

John

[Jeff Strubberg]

Ten feet up puts it out of easy reach and, myself, I would want him to hear it go off.  Let him know he's busted...

[Steel]

By a Scoutguard 550 IR cam. They are about $199 and size of a coke can. Fast trigger about 1 second and Great wide zone PIR sensor. One of the best Security cams out there at this time. Camo it and put the cam 10-14ft up in a tree angled down on a main trail or road and they should never see it. Plus if they get lucky and spot the cam they need a ladder to get to it.

[Tom Anderson]

Yes, infrared is the way to go.

[trapperDave]

I have used em. mount em high. I want the perps to know they are busted! I put a note on it saying "dont bother taking this camera, I have your pic on 3 different cameras and will gladly add theft to the charges."

usually sends em packin....permanently

[WestTnMan]

Yes, set one up at the only exit to my friends property when timber was cut. When it was done the weight tickets provided matched the number of loads taken off the property. We had a photo of every truck load.

[PAPALAPIN]

I use mine in my hotel room when out of town.  I set it up with no flash and it records anyone entering the room.  All I have gotten to date is the maids coming in to do clean up, but if anyone unauthorized ever enters they will be busted, provided they don't steal the camera.

All you need as a digital camera with a security (no flash) mode.  Of course at night, infrared would be best.  It is also easier if you use one with a SD card.  That way you can review it daily on your laptop, or in your digital camera for that matter.

[Jacobm]

My friend put a camera 14' up on an old electrical pole at the entry to his property and mounted it in an old electrical box.  He put electrical tape over the flash and hung some old wires out of the box.  He caught the trespasser, his uncle with his girlfriend!

With 4 teens in my house, I have used trail cameras to record times they come home.  Even used it when we suspected one of them coming into our bedroom when we were gone.  BUSTED!  The kids hate them things!

[Tim C]

Check out  www.buckeyecam.com

[Canyon]

As A Detective. Sgt I have some making cases as I type.

They often work as good as some of our more sophisticated equipment. Some of the advice on putting them up high is great except it can (due to hats, hair, overall angle limit your ability to get positive identification. Use camouflage and natural foliage to make security of your camera  better. Insure Date and Time stamp is accurate for purposes of obtaining criminal charges and keep a log of when you set them and maintain them. Quality of photos can be an issue so take several practice passes of yourself.

Oh yea setting them up at fence crossing, other natural funnels or suspected parking dop off areas makes it a lot like patterning deer. Have fun, be safe and do not confront anybody without using good judgement.

[John Weaver]

Thanks for the replies ya'll!

I haven't got the SOB yet, but I'm trying.  I'll post pics and details when I do.

Lots of great advice!  Keep it coming.

John

[trapperDave]

Originally posted by Jacobm:


With 4 teens in my house, I have used trail cameras to record times they come home.  Even used it when we suspected one of them coming into our bedroom when we were gone.  BUSTED!  The kids hate them things!

ROFLMAO!  I'm glad I aint the only one thats done that.  It is great for keeping tabs on em when youre away  

[John Weaver]

I finally caught up with the nimrods this morning.  Waited 'em out just like on the stand.  Turns out I knew them all.  Typical for this area I guess.  

Anywho, told them all I'd prosecute if I caught them or any of their family on me again.  Took pics of the truck and actually got the game warden to run the tags so I knew who to look for.  Kinda freaked them out when I told them that.

I'm going to invest in a few trail cams for both hunting and security.  Who knows, they may not be the only ones.

Thanks for all the advice guys.  

John