Trail cam Batteries in the cold

[kokoji04]

I have been running reveal cams specifically XB models. I love the simplicity and versatility of plans.

I recently left one with brand new batteries in my backyard through the winter. I live in Michigan. It was a normal winter, nothing too out of the ordinary. The cam sat from October to July. I pulled the cam and noticed it stopped taking pictures. Maybe a total of 600 or so photos. I know it died because in early January I saw the biggest buck I’ve ever seen in my backyard where my trail cam is and I recovered no photos from the cam. Photos stopped in Jan, but right before the time of the buck maybe by a week or so. Of course. Just wondering if people have had cameras survive winters. I’m thinking it’s the batteries that just couldn’t survive the cold temps.

 

[khart_6882]

I leave cameras out every winter in NE Washington state where we usually have a few cold snaps in negative temps and I’ve had mixed results. I’ve used all different batteries and exclusively stealth cams. I’ve found that if I replace the batteries in the fall then I’ve got pretty good luck with them surviving.
The worst part about them dying is that seems to be when they freeze and come apart and ruin your camera. I’ve never had them freeze if they’re still functioning, just after they’ve died.