public land question

DHost21 · April 18, 2011

Is it illegal to have trail cams on public land? I've looked everywhere and haven't found it is illegal but I've had 3 either stolen or just tore down and broken. What are some peoples problem?

MJ1657 · April 19, 2011

What are some peoples problem?

That quesion could make for a really long discussion.

Typical idiots out causing problems would be my guess. Sorry to hear about you losing three cams.

mrklean · April 19, 2011

many go by the saying if its on public land its public so they take them sad but true

Archerysniper · April 19, 2011

MJ don't you have to get to bed you have a tom to put down for our team in the morning

MJ1657 · April 19, 2011

MJ don't you have to get to bed you have a tom to put down for our team in the morning

I'm not far from heading. I'm out of practice on this getting up early business.

I have a good feeling about tomorrow.

Powerstroke · April 19, 2011

Not illegal. However, they are unprotected as far as personal property and people will steal them to keep them or break them because they don't want people scouting in "their spot".

Either find a way to hide them better or protect them.

DHost21 · April 19, 2011

Ya the first two were in spots that maybe werent the most hidden this third one tho was way the heck out there out of the way of everything I have no idea how they found it... Needless to say im looking at bear safes and locks now to keep these idiots at bay. I just like getting pictures of deer by no means am i claiming a spot or anything. If someone set up in the same tree as my camera more power to them just dont steal or break it thats just amazing to me how someone could do that...

lakevet · April 19, 2011

Just another point of view is that there is so much "stuff" on public land, old stands, trash, furniture, (anyone sat in the old office chair in the apartment in the sky?) etc. etc. that litter laws had to be passed and could be enforced. I can show you several nice portables that are on county land in our area that have been there for over ten years and obviously unused and abandoned by owners (branches growing around them so impossible to get in them). Even more old chairs, 2x6 boards dangling from tree trunks from old platforms with the old chair laying rusting at the tree base. Lots of flagging tape, glow in the dark tacks,etc,etc.

Whatever you do, please don't add to the massive amount of eyesore "stuff" that lazy hunters or those unskilled enough to find their stuff again left all over the place. I know more than one person who lost their trail cam because they just couldn't relocate where they put it. When checking your cams, leave the place cleaner than you found it. Flagging tape is my # 1 irritation, esp when the stand is only 50 yds off the road!

Ask the DNR for the final say as to what is legal or not.

lakevet

Musky Buck · April 19, 2011

Not to state the obvious but I mighta stopped putting them out after the 1st one got destroyed, definitely after the 2nd one got destroyed or stolen. Our state has a lot of bad eggs in it unfortunately, more good eggs than bad, but plenty who are selfish and care little about others and their property. It's all about me and if no one is around watching anything goes.

gurkster · April 19, 2011

It is legal to put them out, but as you know at your own risk. To bad it has to be that way, but it is what it is.

DHost21 · April 19, 2011

Yep I shoulda learned my lesson after the first I love seeing pictures of the deer so i kept trying stupidly. I always mark them with my gps and can find them again and you should see all the garbage we come back with in our backpacks. My mom and I walk their a couple times a week and seem to come home with a backpack full of trash everytime. Some people are just idiots i dont get it. If i saw someone elses trail cam i would stop in front and wave or something but never steal it or break it.

MichaelSwan · April 20, 2011

I've spoke with some folks that say bears are trained to the smell of plastic/wrappers/food. When they smell the plastic that the cams are made of, they will literally tear into them looking for a snack. Hence the bear safe came out.

DHost21 · April 20, 2011

I wish it was just bear but im down in the cities area so no bear there... just inconsiderate people

Bear55 · April 20, 2011

You could try bringing a ladder or climbing stand/sticks with you, hang the cameras up high and angle them down. It should greatly cut back on the damaged and stolen cameras.

DHost21 · April 20, 2011

I cant believe i never thought of that! Thats a great idea! Thank you!

TooTallTom · April 20, 2011

There are also trail cams that email photos to you. They require cell service, and probably also have a higher purchase price, but they might help you figure out what has been happening to your trail cams, and bring that information to the police.

"Decoy" trail cam facing the trail and somewhat obvious, photo-mailing trail cam very hidden and facing the decoy cam. (Also, make sure that it doesn't make lots of noise when taking a picture.) Just a thought.

LightningBG · April 20, 2011

I have some mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I would never take something of someone elses.

On the other hand. You almost have to expect it to get taken. And is it wrong that someone else takes it? Maybe, but truthfully, it shouldn't be there. It's not legal to leave a stand, so why would it be legal to leave a camera? If you left a lawn chair it would be littering. Who knows, maybe it was a DNR or county worker or something doing checks of the property. IMO, if you leave anything on public property, it should be removed, so others find it the same as you did.

Kinda sucks I know. Always fun to get some pictures.

TooTallTom · April 20, 2011

I thought that, with stands, you could leave them on public land but had no right to use them when you returned. If someone had posted up, that was your tough luck. Little help?

I completely agree with that sentiment that it's shady to take the camera, but no one should be surprised that it happens.

But I'm also kind of torn about the "leave no trace" issue that you raise. I don't think that a properly-placed trail camera is a huge imposition on my ability to enjoy an area, but I guess I wouldn't shout from the mountain tops about my desire to be able to legally leave one out on public land.

lakevet · April 20, 2011

But I'm also kind of torn about the "leave no trace" issue that you raise. I don't think that a properly-placed trail camera is a huge imposition on my ability to enjoy an area, but I guess I wouldn't shout from the mountain tops about my desire to be able to legally leave one out on public land.

Maybe leave no non-biodegradable trace???

memo to self:

"With the proliferation of concealed night vision capable cellular uplinked cameras on public land, be sure family enters public lands with empty bladders and colons, and doesn't travel beyond range of appropriate facilities, as risk exists of becoming subject of next viral you tube video. Dad's advice of going behind that tree is no longer applicable."

lakevet

Boar · April 21, 2011

Thats a good idea bear55, but the idiots will learn to do the same thing an youll be left wondering how they got that one, wont take long for theives to figure it out.

Boar · April 21, 2011

Bear will check out a camera generally by the shutter sound, tear into because of scent left behind on it, an just destroy it an partialy consume it, why? cause they can. Their bear, wen baiting i check my camera an wipe it down with alcohol wipes or use rubber glove, rubber gloves work best. handiling bait then camera without rubber gloves is a recipie for a camera sandwich. Generally a bear will destroy it cause your scent is on it or the granola bar you ate hours before setting it up. I make my own bear boxes, an have pretty nice chew marks on 1/6 inch steel, an big lag bolts snaped of that held the camera to the tree.

LightningBG · April 21, 2011

I thought that, with stands, you could leave them on public land but had no right to use them when you returned. If someone had posted up, that was your tough luck. Little help?

TooTallTom · April 21, 2011

lakevet, that's pretty funny.

I remember when satellite imagery was first getting to be very widely available and publicly known, there were people writing into newspapers about how they were ticked about the general public being able to spy on them while they sunbathed in the backyard.

Obviously not quite the same thing, but both cases make me chuckle.

BoxMN · April 21, 2011

The above info is for WMA's. This is from page 112 and 113 of the general regs for State Forest Land. To me it looks like you CAN leave a camera or portable stand on State Forest Land, but not for more than 14 days in a row. But I am no CO or lawyer, so don't take my word And I do have a cam out in State Forest Land right now.

Quote:

STATE FORESTS

State forest lands are generally open for hunting and other types of

outdoor recreation. Hunting on private land within a state forest is subject

to state trespass laws. A partial summary of state forest use regulations is

included below. A complete listing is available from the DNR.

Elevated Stands

• The use of portable tree stands is recommended, especially those

which can be secured without driving nails into trees. Nails are

a safety hazard for woodcutters and harm the forest. Personal

property must be removed from State Forest lands. It is illegal to

destroy state property, including the cutting of trees for shooting

lanes. Littering and erecting permanent buildings are prohibited.

• Any permanent unoccupied stand or blind on public land is public

and not the property of the person who constructed the stand.

Personal Property

Personal property may not be left or positioned so as to obstruct

use of a road or trail. Personal property left unattended for 14 days

shall be deemed abandoned.

LightningBG · April 22, 2011