Like many of you, I started using trail cameras to spot on the right place and figure out the right time for hunting rather than spend days waiting in vain for something worth shooting. Now, they turn out more than a hunting arsenal but a hobby that I keep reading, learning, and experiencing trail cameras myself almost every day.
During this time, I get across dozens of questions frequently asked by trail camera’s users that I think you might also concern. So, I gather all here along with a short and proper answer so that you will not have to search here and there and feel confused with too much information out there.
#1. How Does A Trail Camera Work?
This is the very first question of beginners to trail camera.
To be short, this type of camera will automatically take pictures or record videos, or both thanks to its motion detection sensors and your settings in advance. Accordingly, the camera is supposed to take action when there is an animal or specific motions within its detection range. Some camera even supports the night version with advanced features such as no glow 3 PIR sensors to capture the beauty of nature.
The camera is often mounted to the trees in the forests or the wild far enough from the preys so that they will not be disturbed and act normally. The images or videos go along with the date and time stamp from which you can plan a hunting strategy to enjoy the most.
A trail camera is also helpful for home security or farm monitoring.
#2: How Do I Mount a Trail Camera to a Tree?
Trail cameras are left on their own in the wide for a time before you come back to check the result. Whether it is costly or not, never expose it to the animal’s eyes or thieves.
Here I suggest some tips to mount the camera properly to a tree so you can take valuable images/videos and secure your property at the same time.
- Choose a sturdy tree to mount your camera
- Keep the trail camera a distance from human traffic. In my case, I hang 5’ high from the deer’s normal vision.
- Ensure the open space in front of the camera (e.g., from branches) to avoid failed motion sensors
- Hang the camera at cool and dry areas and avoid the direct sunlight (Face your trail camera either South or North)
- Choose a waterproof and dustproof camera to protect the vision of the game camera
- Buy the camera already come in camouflage colors
- Invest another layer of security with locks or security boxes
#3: What Kind of Thermal Sensor for Trail Camera?
Animals become smarter and more cautious to conceal themselves from your trail cameras, but their natural heat is what they can hardly hide. So, if you are about to invest a thermal trail camera, you choose the right.
There are several kinds of thermal sensors out there such as thermocouples, thermistors, infrared sensors, or semiconductors. My recommendation is the PIR infrared sensor.
✔️Infrared sensors are sensitive to changes in temperature so you will not miss any subjects
✔️Improve the night-vision images or videos
✔️Be available at the fast trigger and wide detection range
✔️Save SD capacity and battery rather than NIR sensors since the camera triggers on condition of relative IR amount.
For more information, read here later.
#4: What Style of SD Card Do I Need for Trail Camera?
It depends on your trail camera settings and structures, as well as your purposes on using the camera.
“Style” – I guess most of you are referring to the SD physical size, don’t you?
If yes, then there are 3 main sizes to consider:
- Standard size SD card: This is the most common for trail cameras. Its dimensions are 32x24x2.1 mm so you can put the SD card in and out of the camera quickly.
- MicroSD size card: It will come as a new common very soon since it is versatile to use directly in various devices for later check. However, the dimension of 15x11x1 mm makes it hard to handle, especially with big or cold fingers. Anyway, there are additional adapters to make this task effortlessly.
- MiniSD card: This least common size for trail cameras comes at 21.5x20x1.4 mm. Nothing much to say about this style.
Besides the size, there are many other things to consider when choosing an SD card like brand, speed class, or storage capacity. If you want to know further, check this post later.
#5: How to Change The Date Stamp in Trail Camera?
Data strip information like date and time is useful to keep track of all pictures so that you possibly plan a hunting strategy. On unboxing the camera package, the camera is often back to its default settings, and the date might be two years earlier. Sometimes, the entry date goes wrong for whichever reasons.
Fortunately, you can set the date and time stamp in a matter of minutes. I take how to change the date stamp in Bushnell trail camera for example.
▶️Step 1: Press the “Menu” button then the “Date” will be displayed on the screen.
▶️Step 2: Press the “Enter” button then change the month by using the UP/DOWN keys. On completing, press the “Enter” button one more time.
▶️Step 3: Duplicate Step 2 for date and year.
▶️Step 4: Press the Right key to move down to the lower row where you can set the clock. By default, the hour is shown in the 24-hr format, “00”=midnight, “12”=noon. Use the UP/DOWN keys to set the hour and press the “Enter” in the end.
▶️Step 5: Make sure the Time Stampt feature is set to “On” so that the date and time are on each photo and video. Otherwise, select “Off.” to remove this security data strip information from the camera.
#6: How to Get Trail Camera Linked to Phone?
Many hunters search how to send photos or videos directly to their phones so they will not have to take out the SD card or go to the trail camera’s location too often.
The cellular or wireless cameras solve this task well.
| Cellular trail cameras | Wireless trail cameras | |
| Pros | ✔️A distance-free connection
✔️Set it and Forget it ✔️Flexible storage via emails or messages |
✔️Cheaper prize and less extra cost for wifi service
✔️Connect multiple cameras wirelessly |
| Cons | ❌Charge for the camera and cellular service
❌Complex installation ❌High battery consumption |
❌Unstable connection
❌Eat up battery quickly |
| Example |
#7: Why Is My Trail Camera Not Taking Pictures?
The most daunting experience is that your trail camera suddenly stops taking pictures as it must be. That time, check the following 5 most common troubleshooting.
- The dead or run-out-of battery
- The fail triggers due to your settings
- Some SD card issues: the full storage; the defective SD installations; or the wrong SD style.
- Environmental sensitivity resulted from a wrong location or hazardous conditions (sun, rain, snow, wind, etc.)
- Detective problems such as fault sensors or motion settings
You have different fixtures according to each situation, so check your trail camera carefully and feel free to refer to my suggestion on the post.
#8: How Do I Format a Memory Card in Trail Camera?
SD card is one of the most critical parts in the camera and is also among the most troublesome ones. To improve the card’s performance or when something goes wrong, you should try formatting the card.
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
Your valuable images or videos might be deleted on formatting, so please back up them first.
You can format the card either on your trail camera or on the computer.
- On the trail camera
Navigate the Menu to “Format” to “Delete” or “Erase” single or multiple images/videos at a time.
- On the computer
Put the card into your computer or memory reader then go to “My Computer” tab. Right click on the file dedicated to the plugged device (the camera’s SD card.) Then, choose the “Formatting” option.
I will keep updating this Trail Camera FAQs list so that you can get more valuable information in one read, so please stay tuned. In case your question is not included, let me know below since other people might have the same concern.
I share to be shared.
