For hunters wanting to scope out an area a game camera is the best additive to their hunt. Since coming out in the 1980’s the technological advancements have been astounding. Gone are the days the camera would shoot on 35mm film that needed taken out and developed. Now we have a variety of options and features to consider when purchasing a trail cam.
Photo Resolution-in cameras the quality of the image is measured by megapixels. A camera that shoots at 24mp will produce clearer photos than one shooting at 5mp for example. There are game cameras designed to take photos that have enough megapixels to be massive. However, most hunters aren’t looking to put their sightings on billboards, so at some point the price of the megapixels won’t really benefit your hunting.
Video-Do you want video capabilities on your cam? If that intrigues you know there are several options on the market now that are capable of doing it. The resolution at which video can be taken is what those wanting these need to look at. 640×640 resolution is standard, with higher end options like 720p or 1080p producing high definition videos. Additional considerations for cameras that shoot video are the length of clips. Thirty seconds seems to be standard, while some can go minutes and some shoot in shorter thirty second bursts. If you are using your camera at home for security, or just want to hear what happens in the woods- check to see if your camera selection is capable of recording sound as well.
Detection Range- does the subject have to be right at the camera to be detected, or is the camera able to detect movement from more of a distance? The need for close up vs more long range detection is going to depend on where a hunter is wanting to use the camera. If surveying a large field a longer detection range is necessary to know what is entering the field. Alternatively, anyone hunting in thick woods will likely not need such distance since there is more underbrush to contend with. It is recommended to look for 50-foot (or longer) range so hunters can get the most use out of their camera and utilize it in various locations.
Trigger speed– with those 35-mm game cameras more game photos were of rumps than racks. Now the trigger speed on cameras has improved greatly. For best results try finding a camera with a half-second or less trigger speed. Recovery time is also important, and follows the same faster is better rule.
Batteries- a dead camera does nothing. There are some solar powered options, but many take standard AA batteries. Pick a strong brand of lithium batteries for use to promote the longevity of your camera.
Flash/night time capabilities- since deer move at different times depending on the moon a camera that can only work during daylight is much less helpful. There are three types of flashes- white flash, low glow, and no glow. White flash is the standard flash we are used to on cameras. It’s bright and startling for animals usually. However it doesn’t seem to startle them so much that they won’t return to an area. Low glow uses infrared which produces a red glow. No glow keeps the animal from knowing anything is going on as it produces no lights at all. Both low glow and no glow produce black and white photos only.
Remote Access- game cameras used to rely on SD cards for storage, but some now have the ability to send photos wirelessly to a phone. For those with trail cameras placed very remotely, or they just don’t have the free time to go grab the memory card this feature is especially ingenious. It also keeps from adding unnecessary trips in that might disturb game.
Searching ‘game cameras’ on the Walmart app produces 1,000+ results. It’s safe to say some will be duds, but with proper research finding the right, most useful game camera for each hunter is possible.
