FML Outdoors.com

I’ve been chasing this particular buck for a number of years now, and I’ve never quite been able to close the deal with him. Had a number of close calls. (notice my stand about 20 yards behind the deer!) This pic was taken when the buck was 3-1/2. He’ll be 5-1/2 years old this year, so I’m sure he’ll be as big and cagey as ever! We have a number of bucks around that definitely carry the same genes….trail cams are so much fun!

Camera Crazy

If you’re a deer hunter, you’d have to be living under a rock not to have noticed the trail camera craze of recent years! Because of their unparalleled scouting benefits trail cams have made any self-respecting whitetail addict’s gear bag incomplete without them.

Scouting cameras have evolved from simple trail counters to 35mm cameras, and into today’s efficient and advanced digital trail cameras with a multitude of features.

The simple fact is that trail cameras have truly revolutionized the way we hunt and scout. Because of them, we can keep a keen eye on the prize 24-hours a day, 365 days a year!  If you haven’t yet taken advantage of both the fun and the benefits of trail cameras, you’re missing out!

Where do I begin?

There is no question that because of increased popularity, an ever-increasing amount of companies within the hunting industry are throwing their hats in the ring.  There are so many manufacturers and different features it’s easy to experience camera confusion and making a choice can be overwhelming.  There is a wide range of varying features and as you can expect, prices.

As I outline a handful of popular models, my advice is to consider what’s important to you and keep in mind the aspects of different features in relation to your specific application.

Bushnell Trophy Cam

It’s been said that dynamite comes in small packages; well Bushnell certainly blew up the trail camera scene last year when they introduced the new Trophy Cam! At 3.5” X 5.5” it’s among the smallest and most efficient cameras available! Fully powered by eight Lithium AA batteries, the Trophy Cam boasts an incredible field life of up to one year! Bushnell also increased the number of infrared night vision LED’s from 24 to 32 for the 2010 model, making for crisper, clearer images after the sun goes down. You can also choose from multiple resolution settings at 3, 5 or 8 megapixels (mp) depending on what you choose is more important, image capacity or image quality.

With an ultra-fast trigger speed of one second and a motion activated PIR sensor effective out to 45 feet, this camera is great for capturing images both on the trail and in front of a feeding site. Bushnell also gives you the opportunity to choose from a multitude of images-per trigger and delay settings. The Trophy Cam is SD card compatible, accepting cards up to 16 GB and has 32 MB of internal memory.

With the optional 2” built-in viewer, you can look through your images immediately on-site, and have your images stamped with the date, time, temperature and moon phase as well. You also have the option to record videos in a 720×480 format at 20 frames per second. This full-feature, user-friendly unit does have an external power port as well as a housing that can easily be cable locked for security. The Bushnell Trophy Cam retails for about $200.

Cuddeback Capture IR

Cuddeback has long been at the top of the trail camera ranks, and rightfully so. Known for their lightning fast trigger speeds and dependability, it’s no secret that any other camera on the market today is going to have stiff competition from Cuddeback.

The Capture IR is well on it’s way to becoming the company’s best selling camera of all time. With its Hair Trigger Technology, the Capture IR has a very impressive trigger speed of 1/3 second! Yep…1/3 of a second, to help catch that monster buck trotting down the trail! Powered by four D cell batteries, Cuddeback ensures you get exceptional battery life-up to 2,000 images on a full charge! With a 40-foot flash range, this unit is capable of snapping quality 5-megapixel color images during the day and is also equipped to take infrared images at night. So if you’re worried about the flash spooking deer, even the wisest of mature whitetail won’t know he just made your most wanted list!

With multiple images per trigger and delay settings as well as a super fast recovery time (around 30 seconds), this camera really affords you a lot of options in capturing images. The Capture IR also accepts SD cards and is equipped with 24 MB of internal memory to hold 100’s of images. A test mode to determine detection zone is just one aspect of the super simple set up that makes this camera very quick and easy to use. Look for the Cuddeback Capture IR to retail around $250.

Moultrie Game Spy I Series (I-35)

Moultrie is a company that prides itself on making quality cameras for any budget. The Game Spy I-35 is a unit that combines great features with great value. By taking 4 mp color shots in the day light hours and infrared sensors effective out to 50 feet for nighttime, this camera ensures that you have your bases covered no matter when that big buck comes in!

With the I-35, you have the luxury of choosing from multiple resolution settings as well as video capabilities. Each image has an easy to read photo strip listing the date, time, temp, moon phase and camera id (in case of multiple cameras).

The I-35 also has an easy-to-operate LCD menu display, showing battery life, pictures taken and remaining as well as the delay timer. The I series of cameras all except SD cards up to 16 GB and the I-35 has an internal memory of 32 MB. Operating on 6 C cell batteries this camera is also equipped with an external power port capable of accepting the Moultrie Power Panel (sold separately) for indefinite field use.

The Power Panel combines a solar panel and built-in 12-volt battery, extending camera life.

Perhaps the most interesting and appealing feature of this camera is that it joins the ranks of other Moultrie Game Spy cameras that are Moultrie Game Management System compatible. This intriguing internet-based system allows users to access their trail cameras utilizing a computer, PDA or cell phone for around the clock access.

For an additional monthly fee, users can access their cameras with a wireless GPS cellular accessory to view and download any photos or videos that the camera has captured and transmitted to a private-access website!

You can also check battery life and even change camera settings. All this can be done without ever stepping foot into the woods! The Moultrie I-35 is a great camera for any user. With the optional features it has, it really appeals to both the new user to as well as the old pro. You can expect to pick up the Moultrie Game Spy I-35 for around $150.

Stealth Cam Prowler HD

Stealth Cam has been produced quality trail cameras for years, and with the introduction of their new HD camera it’s no surprise that it’s capturing the appeal of hunters all over!

This camera operates on 6 C cell batteries and also has a 12V auxiliary power jack. It takes beautiful 8 mp color photos during the day and has 54 infrared emitters for capturing game at night.

Another nice feature of this camera is the large detection area – able to detect movement out to about 70 feet during the day.

As with many other cameras, the Prowler HD allows you to choose from multiple resolution and video settings. It has 64 MB of built-in memory and will accept SD cards up to 16GB. What really makes this camera stand out however is the superb picture and video quality, especially at night – an aspect that separates good cameras from great cameras.

With the capability of recording 1280 X 720 High Definition Digital Video, this camera really starts to separate itself from the video pack! It doesn’t end there either; the Prowler HD will also record full audio!

The fully weatherproof housing that has become standard within the trail camera industry can also be cable locked on the Prowler HD for added security. If image quality and video capabilities are what you’re most attracted to in a camera, then you’ll definitely want to check this one out! MSRP for the Stealth Cam Prowler HD is going to run about $310.

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME!

Our FML Outdoors Camera Conclusion…

With over a dozen companies producing cameras with the hunter in mind, it can be tough to decide which camera is better than another, and ultimately which camera is best for you.  You can find cameras ranging from under $100 to over $500 and we’ve covered only a very small percentage of the market.

With each manufacture producing a number of models, that market is only going to grow.

Each year, more innovations are made and the camera competition gets stiffer.  Lucky for us, that translates into a camera for just about anyone, no matter how basic or advanced.  So where does this leave the inquisitive buyer?

Well, whether you’re looking at upgrading or joining the camera craze for the first time, you need to decide what features are most important to you. A little bit of research will go a long way in making sure you get a quality camera you are happy with!

Things to consider:

• Budget
• Power source and battery life
• Picture/video quality
• Effective range
• Memory operation, capacity and retrieval
• Trigger speed
• Flash type
• Security

Some of these things will be more important to you than others, and that is what will influence your decision.  Also keep in mind that when a camera company rates something like its battery life, it’s often under very specific circumstances (30 degree temperatures and 30 pictures a day for example). Things like this are subject to change due to varying climate and degree of use.

There are plenty of cameras to choose from and the choice is entirely yours! Not only do trail cameras afford us with an abundance of useful information to give us an edge over the game we pursue, they’re also a blast! If you haven’t experienced checking trail cams yet, soon you’ll feel like a kid on Christmas.