Trail Cam Locks: Worth it?

[philcox]

Simple question: Are the worth the money? Seems to me that they would deter the casual hiker, but someone willing to steal the trail cam might also just crush it if they can't steal it. I'd be curious as to those who run cams on public land if it is a "must", "nice", "waste"

Thx in advance.

Phil

 

[willfrye027]

I have cheap cams that would not be worth the hassle of locking up. I try not to place them in obvious locations or leave them up during gun seasons.

 

[Life_Feeds_On_Life]

I like boxes and locks on the few I have if for nothing else the bears. I've had a bear break the glass in front of the lens. I try to put them where less people will see as well.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I think if people want it there easy to take. A lock mite deter the laziest but that's about it. To protect them you would have to make a heavy box and use a super quality lock. A regular padlock is a joke really.
Now on the other hand I've had the dang elk mess with my cams quite a bit. Licking them and flipping them around. A box may be beneficial for that.

There is also a new quick attach system out where you have a collapsible pole, idk how handy it would be in real like but I think putting the camera up high would be more beneficial then most anything.

 

[BRTreedogs]

 

[go4thegusto]

My friend says: "if you can afford to lose it then don't lock it" I have been pretty lucky. I had an SD card stolen last year during the rut which bummed me more than losing a camera.

I buy Browning StrikeForce with the through hole and use Pythion locks instead of the strap on all my cameras. You can buy keyed-alike 4 packs intermittently on Camofire.

 

[n816kc]

I use a couple of climbing sticks to hang mine out of reach (and a small wedge to point it out of the branches). If someone really wants to take it, the lock just slows them down.

 

[Billy Goat]

I use lock boxes but only because of bear. Gets expensive letting them use a camera as a chew toy.

 

[sillystvie]

Simple question: Are the worth the money? Seems to me that they would deter the casual hiker, but someone willing to steal the trail cam might also just crush it if they can't steal it. I'd be curious as to those who run cams on public land if it is a "must", "nice", "waste"

Thx in advance.

Phil

I think it depends on where you are hunting. I averaged a trail camera or two stolen a year when I first got into cameras. Then I put them all in boxes and ended up having more stolen. Mainly because I got too confident in the lock boxes.

 

[USMC22]

I use lock boxes but only because of bear. Gets expensive letting them use a camera as a chew toy.

Same as this, Just don’t want to be searching for them after a bear is done playing with it.

 

[Bghuntersw]

I will at least lock up the access point to the SD card. This may at least deter them from stealing the entire camera if they can't use them.

 

[Ross]

Lock all mine one closest to a road about half a mile some beat the housing and took cam cable was still on tree all others 3+ miles in have not had an issue I lock the cam to a tree and the housing for the sd card.

 

[Thunder head]

I believe locks at are worth it. Keeps a honest man honest.

Nothing will stop an determined thief.

 

[snakelk]

I run boxes and padlocks, but mostly for protection from bears and elk. I do not run python type cables. Mounting cameras up high can also be effective, however you're limiting the detection zone aiming a camera down versus horizontal.

It can get expensive running boxes and locks as some have mentioned. I've made a few homemade boxes from electrical disconnect boxes. That's one way to save a few $. Keyed alike padlocks can be had for cheap on Amazon or Harbor Freight. I use construction adhesive and then spray paint to help camouflage the security boxes and locks.

Another benefit of security boxes is weather protection. I leave my cams up year round, so this is important to me.

I've been running cams for 5 years on public land and I've never had one stolen. I've had a few guys wave at a couple I've had locked in boxes and secured to trees, but they never messed with them. I'm sure my luck will run out soon enough. I also do not run "expensive" cams. Cost is relative, but most of my cams were purchased for $30-$70.

Bears have caused the most damage to my cams, and I've lost one. I still look for it every time I go back to that spot. I've since installed the security boxes and have yet to have a problem since. The bears tend to give up quickly if the cam doesn't move easily.

 

[GetWestern]

If someone really wants to tamper with your camera while it's in a lock box they will in some way might not get the SD card but they could bash out the lense somehow seen that done before. I just buy cheap refurbished one's on camofire for 30 bucks they work great and if one gets stolen or broke I'm not out a ton. That being said if your really worried about a expensive trail camera might want to look into a lockbox or if you got it set up on a waterhole or somewhere with other people's cameras around but for me it's just more to spend on a lockbox and more weight i have to pack in. Most camera damage I've seen is from more animals than humans anyway.

 

[cody21peterson]

Hiked in 5 miles today to get a camera, gone!


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[Rokwiia]

that's a shame especially that far in.

Cody....was your trail cam easily accessible to a bear? Was it up a tree? At a height where someone could grab it? Any information would be helpful.

 

[cody21peterson]

Someone put up a tree stand and new camera in the same spot, I’m thinking they stole mine but a bear could have got it


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[orionthehunter1]

Screw locks, I just right property of CPW with a random number in waterproof marker on them. Also add a couple official looking decals and mine have never been touched

 

[kboatman107]

I buy cheaper cams in the $40-60 range off of camofire. Have about 15 of them and only had one sd card stolen. I tell myself if they want to steal it they’re going to steal it whether it has a lock or not.