Whitetails 365: Is Trail Camera Technology Ethical for Today’s Hunter

Whitetails 365: Is Trail Camera Technology Ethical for Today’s Hunter

By Aaron McKinney

The use of trail cameras in hunting raises ethical considerations. Some argue that trail cameras can give hunters an unfair advantage, as they allow hunters to monitor game movement and behavior in a way that would not be possible without the camera. Another ethical consideration is the impact of trail cameras on wildlife. The use of cameras in certain areas can disrupt the natural behavior of animals and cause them to change their patterns. It is important to consider the impact that trail cameras can have on wildlife populations, and to use them responsibly to minimize any negative effects.

Twenty years ago, hunters relied on woodsmanship skills. You spent time in the timber, watched deer, and looked for trails and sign. While trampling around through the brush, you would see the white of fleeing deer, and would be unsure about what you spooked. When the first 35mm trail cameras came out, it began to revolutionize the hunting industry. The cameras were capturing images of deer and movement while we were out of the timber. We now could view nocturnal bucks and movement that was happening while we were away from our stands. However, we did not know how to use these first cameras. The bright flash of the camera would cause subtle alarm from deer and coyotes. We handled these cameras a lot, and got our scent all over the cameras. The trigger speeds were also slow. In short, these inefficient cameras launched the beginning of the trail camera revolution. We are going to explore some of the different cameras and how they help hunters today.

Linked Cameras
I know some guys that use linked cameras to help pattern and track locations and travel patterns of deer. For instance, Cuddelink cameras are a type of trail camera that can be set up in a network, allowing multiple cameras to communicate and share information with each other. This allows for covering a large area with multiple cameras and still have all the images and videos from each camera stored in one location. Linked cameras are a type of trail camera that are designed to work together in a network, and are known for their long-range wireless communication capabilities.

Linked cameras are set up in a network, which allows multiple cameras to communicate and share information with each other. This makes it possible to cover a large area with multiple cameras and still have all the images and videos from each camera stored in one location. When checking the cameras, you only have to pull one SD card to see all the activity on the other cameras. This allows the cameras to work together to send images and videos to a single location, such as a computer or a smartphone, where they can be viewed and managed. I like using linked cameras because it allows me to minimize my pressure on my hunting location. I am not crashing in to change SD cards, and bumping deer and leaving behind my scent. Linked cameras can help you scout your hunting property with minimum pressure.

Some people believe this give hunters unfair advantages. From the outside looking in, it could appear as though little to no effort is required to successfully hunt. Anyone that has chased trophy whitetail knows this is not the case. You are still battling mother nature, the deer’s nose, and other wildlife busting you and interfering with your hunt. Linked cameras can help you have a slight advantage, but they do not make hunting a guarantee.

Wireless Cameras
Another major advancement in trail cameras was the introduction of wireless capabilities. This allowed hunters to remotely access the images and videos captured by the camera, without having to physically check the camera. This allowed for more efficient monitoring of game movement and behavior. Wireless trail cameras, also known as cellular trail cameras, are a type of trail camera that have the ability to transmit images and videos wirelessly. These cameras use cellular technology to send the images and videos to a user’s smartphone or computer, allowing for remote monitoring of a hunting area.

One of the main benefits of wireless trail cameras is that they allow hunters to check the camera remotely and get real-time updates on game movement and behavior. This eliminates the need to physically check the camera and can save time and effort while nearly eliminating your human intrusion. Another advantage of wireless trail cameras is that they can be placed in remote locations, such as deep in the woods, and still provide the user with images and videos. This allows hunters to cover a larger area and still be able to monitor game movement and behavior.

Arguably, the biggest advantage to cellular cameras are their ability to automatically send images and videos to a cloud-based storage system. This allows hunters to store and access the images and videos from anywhere and also eliminates the need to worry about memory card storage or capacity. I have been talking to guys in the store and they get a picture sent to their phone. They can view it, and if they need to hustle home to try and hunt that deer, they can. However, it is so hard to put everything together and successfully harvest that deer. Cellular cameras do not turn hunting into killing. You still have to have a lot of luck and everything work together in your favor.

There are two major limitations to cellular cameras. The first limitation is the initial cost of the camera. Cellular cameras are a lot more expensive than other cameras. The second limitation to consider is while using wireless trail cameras, it is important to keep in mind that they rely on cellular coverage in order to transmit images and videos. In some rural areas, cellular coverage may be limited or non-existent, which can affect the camera’s ability to transmit images and videos. It is also important to note that wireless trail cameras typically require a monthly subscription for the cellular service. This cost can vary depending on the service provider and the service plan.

Regulations Around Trail Cameras
The use of trail cameras is regulated in some states in the United States. Regulations vary from state to state, and it is important to check with your state’s wildlife agency for specific laws and regulations regarding the use of trail cameras. Some states have regulations on the use of trail cameras on public land. For example, in California, it is illegal to use trail cameras on public land without a permit from the state wildlife agency. In other states, such as Colorado, the use of trail cameras on public land is allowed but with some restrictions. Additionally, some states have specific regulations on the use of trail cameras during certain hunting seasons. For example, in Arkansas, it is illegal to use trail cameras during bear hunting season. Last year, we saw Nevada and Arizona ban trail cameras for the use of hunting.

Wildlife cameras, have come a long way since they were first introduced to the hunting industry. Initially, trail cameras were simple devices that were triggered by motion sensors to take a photograph or video of passing wildlife. However, as technology has advanced, so have trail cameras, and they now offer a wide range of features and capabilities.

With the evolution of camera technology, trail cameras became more advanced and sophisticated. The advances of technology have some agencies as well as individuals questioning if the advantages can still be considered “fair chase”. In my opinion, there is so much that goes into a successful hunt and harvest of deer. Patterning deer, no doubt, is easier with the use of wireless, cellular, and linked cameras. However, there is so much work that still goes into harvesting a mature animal. Your equipment has to perform every time. How many times have you been bow hunting, and your peep turns, or you forget your release, or you have problems with your sight? You have to still beat a deer’s nose. You are crashing into a deer’s territory. You are in that deer’s area and trying to out smart him on his turf. This is a difficult feat even with the use of technology. As technology continues to advance, trail cameras are becoming more advanced and sophisticated. The bottom line is to follow the hunting regulations in the area you are hunting, and hunt the way you want. If you do not agree with the use of technology, hunt in a simpler manner and a way you are comfortable.