I have a hog trap set out at our rural property. I baited and set it Monday at sunup. This morning when I checked it, the bait was all eaten up, and the trap was empty. The door had been reset, probably hoping that I wouldn’t figure out that it had been tampered with. The person who reset it did it completely wrong though. I’m guessing someone climbed the gate 1/2 mile from the trap and was snooping around, and decided to release the hog or hogs. This pisses me right off, because hogs become trap shy after being caught once.

So, in an effort to figure out who the trespasser/meddler is, I guess I should put some game cameras up. I’m thinking one watching the trap, one watching the camera that’s watching the trap, and maybe one watching the gate on the edge of the property. I’m asking for any advice regarding which cameras you guys use and like, or any other suggestions that might be useful in catching the miscreants. Thanks in advance.

I have several of these cameras about the property. They work great and after 2-years they're still going strong. At 100.00 they are a good deal.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/e...mera-combo-101230885

Small and camouflaged. Both good features for my use.

Are you wanting cellular so you get pics sent to you so you know when they are there and at least you have the pictures if they find the camera?

I have a Spypoint that has been going for years however it is inside my cabin and always plugged in. Everyone says they suck outside.

I got a Busnell for outside that hits the only entry accessible by vehicle to my property. Grabs license plates very well.
https://www.bushnell.com/trail...camera/P1688588.html

https://www.tactacam.com/reveal-x-2-bundle

This is what I use on my property. They’re not cheap but are excellent. I have an SD card in them but I also have cell service. As soon as it’s triggered I get a notification on my phone and the pic or video will be there. With the cell service you don’t ever have to physically go to the camera until the batteries are dead.

As a side benefit they have gps so if someone steals a camera you will know exactly where it’s at.

The GPS sounds like a very good feature, since there’s probably a fairly good chance of the camera being stolen if it’s noticed. Do cameras that use cellular require a cell service plan?

Yes, you need a ‘service plan’ of sorts, for the cell camera. Nothing beats close to real time is security is a large part.

Seems hard to believe anyone would sneak in far to let a hog out? Yes, anything is possible.

Besides a camera near the trap, I’d hide one or two on access points someone/critters may come from.

We have cell cameras at our camp, get all types of pictures, mostly security use.

I have been using Spartan cellular cameras for about 6-7 years now. They have always been considered one of the best cams, and prices have really come down a lot. The cams can take pics and video and will send it to your phone or computer immediately if you choose. Data plans can be purchased directly from Spartan for any of the major carriers.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
The GPS sounds like a very good feature, since there’s probably a fairly good chance of the camera being stolen if it’s noticed. Do cameras that use cellular require a cell service plan?

Most likely you will need a plan.
For my Spypoint I don’t have a plan because one gets 100 free pictures a month. This is on the interior of my cabin. If I am getting 100 pictures a month we have a problem.

The Busnhell is $14 a month for unlimited photos and High Definition.
Some days with the deer I’ll hit 100 pictures a day. Others will lucky to have 10 a day.

Best bang for your buck camera out there imo. I have three of these and have been impressed over the 4 years I’ve had them. I added another this past year. Pics are plenty good and the trigger seems to work well (I get a lot of pictures in high traffic areas as I should.) battery life is also good. If you don’t get a cell camera, I highly recommend this one. https://a.co/d/4A7NfXd

If you want a cell camera, the Tactacam Reveal is the one I use (linked above.)

My BIL has a cellular WiFi hot spot connected to a battery and solar panel.

He uses an old Ring doorbell camera and 3 WiFi cameras at his land in Oklahoma.

The hotspot is high up in a tree by one of his tree stands so that the cameras at the second stand can pick up the signal as well.

quote:

Seems hard to believe anyone would sneak in far to let a hog out?

I don’t think they snuck in to let a hog out. I think they snuck in to hike around and noticed the trap with a hog or hogs in it, and decided to help the hogs. There’s a subdivision up the road that has a lot of people moving into it from outside the area, many of whom are unfamiliar with trespassing laws in Texas. And I’ve caught a couple of them over the years. One might think a locked gate with a

PRIVATE PROPERTY
DO NOT ENTER

sign, and a net and barbed wire fence around the perimeter would be a clue.

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:
My BIL has a cellular WiFi hot spot connected to a battery and solar panel.

He uses an old Ring doorbell camera and 3 WiFi cameras at his land in Oklahoma.

The hotspot is high up in a tree by one of his tree stands so that the cameras at the second stand can pick up the signal as well.

Interesting.
What hotspot is he using out in the elements?

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
https://www.tactacam.com/reveal-x-2-bundle

This is what I use on my property. They’re not cheap but are excellent. I have an SD card in them but I also have cell service. As soon as it’s triggered I get a notification on my phone and the pic or video will be there. With the cell service you don’t ever have to physically go to the camera until the batteries are dead.

As a side benefit they have gps so if someone steals a camera you will know exactly where it’s at.

Im familiar with these. They do a nice job. You choose the carrier that works best, doesn’t have to be what you use personally. The cell pic will rat out the perp even if they swipe your card. Make sure they can’t get behind it to steal it without a picture.

quote:

What hotspot is he using out in the elements?

Not sure but he built a box for it and mounted an antennae on the outside.