Trail Cams

[drewbop]

I looked in the last few pages, but couldn't find a discussion on trail cam brands. I'm looking to buy a few more for my fleet (the last couple were stolen on public land...) I'm going to be putting these new ones up on private land.

I'm looking to spend about $100/camera. I've had Moultrie cams in the past and have been okay with them. Just looking to others to see what everyone thinks.

I'm even thinking of buying a few cheaper ones as well for the public land I hunt, just in case they walk off again...

[InTheNorthwoods]

Everyone will have different opinions, and everyone will have good and bad experiences with certain brands.

I don't have much experience with the newer models (last couple years), but that is because my experience with the Moultrie M-80's has been real good and I have not had to replace them. The price was reasonable, they are easy to use, they have a lot of options (photos, multishot, videos, plot watcher, etc.), and the photo quality is very good in my opinion. I have tens of thousands of pictures through these cams and don't have any problems to speak of (yet). If I were to start looking today for a mid-range camera, I'd start with the Moultrie's or Bushnell's based on reviews, research, and experience. If money wasn't an object, I'd go Reconyx.

[MNHunter65]

I've had good luck with Bushnell Trophy cams and that is all I own currently. Lately I have heard good things about the Covert and Browning cams. Both of those are a bit cheaper than the Bushnell and are supposed to have good battery life and take good pics.

[Lunker]

Wildgame Innovations cameras are affordable, and they will ship you a replacement at no charge if they malfunction.

[InTheNorthwoods]

I looked in the last few pages, but couldn't find a discussion on trail cam brands. I'm looking to buy a few more for my fleet (the last couple were stolen on public land...) I'm going to be putting these new ones up on private land.

I'm looking to spend about $100/camera. I've had Moultrie cams in the past and have been okay with them. Just looking to others to see what everyone thinks.

I'm even thinking of buying a few cheaper ones as well for the public land I hunt, just in case they walk off again...

Ironically I just ran across a thread on another forum having to do with "Managing Quality Deer" on just this subject under a trail camera section. One of the posts on the first page from an average Joe that owns a bunch of cameras had a list of about 6 manufacturers that he would recommend. He also listed prices of cameras, and where they could be located at what price. I agreed with the brands he recommended based on my experience and reading (and the opinions offered from guys here), and thought you might be interested (takes a lot of work out of looking around). I'd have just linked it, but it seems to me that doing so is against the rules.

[bowhunternw]

I have a couple of Moultrie M80's and think highly of them.

[CO1978]

I have a covert black ops that email pictures. I put it out Nov. 1st last year, left it out all winter (still sending pics) and as of now my battery still shows full power. I bought the lithium ion batteries. They are a little more upfront but I am VERY happy with the camera and battery life.

[harvey lee]

I have a couple Moultrie camera and d they do pretty good for the money.

The one I really like is the Covert Black ops that's send me the pics to my phone or e-mail address.

Don't have top go to the woods and mess with my scent or anything, set it up with fresh batteries, get the Sim card and sit back and watch the deer walk by in the recliner.

[CO1978]

yes

[Notime]

I have a Moultrie 880 and it has been great! Knock on wood now! I just checked it tonight and it had over 1230 pics in 4 days of 1 stem of grass. It has 77% battery life before and 66% after those pics. Last year I had almost 1600 pics on a corn pile, all crows! Right now they are 129$ at L&M. I have a wildgame and it won't pick me up doing jumping jacks 5 feet in front of it! Below 35 degrees, forget it, won't read. JUNK!

[jstrommen13]

I just got a covert and like it so far. Just remember you get what u pay for now days. In the past when I bought $100 cameras they would only last one year.

[drewbop]

IntheNorthWoods, can you at least give a hint of where that post may be as I can probably find it and would be really interested in taking a look.

I've had a few buddies recently suggest Coverts and they have used them the last year or two and like them. And for around $120 they seem decent. Plus I can't imagine running such small cameras compared to my old Moultries which ran on 8 C batteries and weighed 20lbs each (or so it seemed...)

Thanks for everyone's input

[InTheNorthwoods]

IntheNorthWoods, can you at least give a hint of where that post may be as I can probably find it and would be really interested in taking a look.

I've had a few buddies recently suggest Coverts and they have used them the last year or two and like them. And for around $120 they seem decent. Plus I can't imagine running such small cameras compared to my old Moultries which ran on 8 C batteries and weighed 20lbs each (or so it seemed...)

Thanks for everyone's input

Sorry, I thought I had given enough information. Heavy emphasis on "quality deer management" and "associations" that promote it. Then I'd look into "trail cameras" when you get there.

[slimngrizzly]

The new Browning cameras are affordable, small, fast, efficient, and take good photos. Check them out. I like them... and im very picky!

[BLACKJACK]

I like the Moultries, easy to set up and use, very reliable. I've got seven of the D-55's, both IR and regular, bought at closeout sales for < $100. Another thing I like about the Moultries is that it has an external battery port, buy the connector online and hook to a 12 volt battery (like for your Vexilar), you're good to go all summer, replace with a charged battery in mid-Oct and you're good to go until I pull my cameras in mid winter. They're good in the heat and cold too, I've had pictures of deer in my corn plot at -20.

[BLACKJACK]

Sorry, I thought I had given enough information. Heavy emphasis on "quality deer management" and "associations" that promote it. Then I'd look into "trail cameras" when you get there.

Also think about 'chasing game' thru the woods. You'd be able to find some camera reviews.

[Jmnhunter]

i have a moultrie, WGI mini cam and stealth cam; i really like the moultrie and the stealth; get alot of white out daytime and night time pics with the mini cam, their customer service told me to move it to a north facing area, that didnt matter, i get white outs in the middle of the night too. i would put the extra $ into something besides WGI

[rbs]

I have a WGI red 4? and the pic quality is great...when it takes a pic. Last year I suspected that it wasn't getting pics of everything so I set a new Moultrie 880 above it. I had 12 pics on the WGI and over 100 on the 880. The WGI will not be going out this year and I will be buying a couple more Moultries. $30 more and you have a good cam

[rkhinrichs]

Moultrie a-5 is not bad! I have it over my bait pile and I really like it! 68 bucks at fleet farm in Lakeville