Trail cam ethics poll

[Eddiegomes83]

I've not done it, but wouldn't feel too bad doing it if the situation arose.

I've seen the debate on here before about hunting a stand left on public. If its the right tree or only tree for a given spot and I'm there first, I would think about it, though generally assume if there is a permanent stand that seems to be getting used I'm better off moving on. Always varied responses there too. Personally, I don't see the harm in it, and wouldn't object to others doing the same for a cam I put out. Now deleting their pics so they get bad intel or something of that nature I wouldn't support.

I agree that deleting is wrong...maybe even deleting the images of me is wrong. What are your thoughts on deleting pics of me? I could honestly give a strong argument that they deserve that intel as well. I would like to know someone has been in the area. Although i can usually tell when someone has been in an area i frequent.

[Eddiegomes83]

On public no I wouldn’t put my hands on there property but I would leave em one heck of a pic of a “full moon” on private where I’m halfway friendly with the guys I share permission with I occasionally prank em. Replace there card with one I downloaded a Midwest giant or just delete any good bucks. I don’t jack with cams near any of there stands but the ones on field edge scrapes and such just bring out my inner child.

Haha

[Eddiegomes83]

If the cam is illegal you can bet I will mess with it. If unlocked I will turn it off. If locked I will put a leaf or something over the lens to make it inoperable. Will also admit I have looked at pics on those illegal cams hoping to identify the person who put it there. These also get called in for the warden to deal with.

If a trail cam is legal I will not touch it and would expect the same from anybody that finds mine.

Noted. Thanks

[BackCoverBowHunter]

I don't mind someone looking at the photos. Its public land and I would not mind them leaving their photos on it of them viewing it. I would not waste my time there anymore. As long as the chip, camera is there and the photos not erased, to me that is a pubic land win. Now, what would make me mad is if they deleted the big buck photos and just left the rest. But, how would you know. Most of my camras that I run can be locked with a python cable lock which also locks the SD card.

[Eddiegomes83]

I don't mind someone looking at the photos. Its public land and I would not mind them leaving their photos on it of them viewing it. I would not waste my time there anymore. As long as the chip, camera is there and the photos not erased, to me that is a pubic land win. Now, what would make me mad is if they deleted the big buck photos and just left the rest. But, how would you know. Most of my camras that I run can be locked with a python cable lock which also locks the SD card.

That is how I feel as well. I have have both. Cams that lock the sd card amd cams that dont. I buy alot of used cams just in case they get stolen. I only lock them in areas I would consider higher traffic. I also only lock them because of fear of theft not viewing. Majority i dont lock at all because either they can't lock or i am not that worried about someone finding it.

[Twenty Up]

My SD card was “swiped” on a pretty remote piece of GA public recently. Found a fresh set.. LW sticks, yak grips over the buckles and a wind walker stand overlooking the scrape my camera was on.

Hard to be sly when the pictures go from 20-26 or when the picture was deleted but the video of someone walking up beside my camera was not..

There’s no doubt in my mind the culprit at least lingers on this forum.

Deleting pictures is no different than stealing the whole camera in my eyes. I’ve no problem with guys “reading” my SD cards, but don’t try deleting the pictures of deer and think it won’t be known.

[Eddiegomes83]

My SD card was “swiped” on a pretty remote piece of GA public recently. Found a fresh set.. LW sticks, yak grips over the buckles and a wind walker stand overlooking the scrape my camera was on.

Hard to be sly when the pictures go from 20-26 or when the picture was deleted but the video of someone walking up beside my camera was not..

There’s no doubt in my mind the culprit at least lingers on this forum.

Deleting pictures is no different than stealing the whole camera in my eyes. I’ve no problem with guys “reading” my SD cards, but don’t try deleting the pictures of deer and think it won’t be known.

I am sorry to hear that. Not me. I am Florida....but not far from GA. As i mentioned before i would not and have not deleted any deer pics. I have and probably will no longer delete pictures of me checking or walking in front of camera. All game pictures i always leave on the card because then i would agree that would be the same as stealing.

[Eddiegomes83]

I am about to head to Alabama this evening.....got some cameras to check....(KIDDING). I have business there. I will follow this thread as i get time. I am enjoying the feedback. So bare with me.

[Grizzlyadam]

I voted yes because one time I found a cam on a public spot with a bunch of bait in front of it which is illegal. I looked through the pics to see if I could identify someone which I did not. I also left some nice pictures to let the person know I didn't approve of illegal baiting in public land.

Other than that I've never touched one. I often goof around in front of them and leave some entertaining pics for them.

I have had people mess with mine by stealing the cards and batteries. That really burns me, i would rather they stole the cam and left the card than the other way around.

In my mind someone checking cards on random cams in the woods is crossing a line. I see very little difference between that and sitting in someone else's stand.

[Eddiegomes83]

I voted yes because one time I found a cam on a public spot with a bunch of bait in front of it which is illegal. I looked through the pics to see if I could identify someone which I did not. I also left some nice pictures to let the person know I didn't approve of illegal baiting in public land.

Other than that I've never touched one. I often goof around in front of them and leave some entertaining pics for them.

I have had people mess with mine by stealing the cards and batteries. That really burns me, i would rather they stole the cam and left the card than the other way around.

In my mind someone checking cards on random cams in the woods is crossing a line. I see very little difference between that and sitting in someone else's stand.

Just a question...how do you know of that is the game wardens cam or not? Or maybe just a wildlife viewer? Still not your cam? Also where is the line drawn on how many spots a person can claim with cams and stands?

[Grizzlyadam]

I voted yes because one time I found a cam on a public spot with a bunch of bait in front of it which is illegal. I looked through the pics to see if I could identify someone which I did not. I also left some nice pictures to let the person know I didn't approve of illegal baiting in public land.

Other than that I've never touched one. I often goof around in front of them and leave some entertaining pics for them.

I have had people mess with mine by stealing the cards and batteries. That really burns me, i would rather they stole the cam and left the card than the other way around.

In my mind someone checking cards on random cams in the woods is crossing a line. I see very little difference between that and sitting in someone else's stand.

Just a question...how do you know of that is the game wardens cam or not? Or maybe just a wildlife viewer? Still not your cam? Also where is the line drawn on how many spots a person can claim with cams and stands?

The game wardens cams are clearly marked, I have found them before. There is no feeding of wildlife on public property wether hunting or not. This particular cam was set up over an illegal baiting pile. That is crossing more than an ethical line.
No, not my cam but I did what I did and didn't feel wrong for doing it. Maybe one day I will. I know I didn't steal anything, cam, card, or Intel, and I didn't report it.
People can put as many cams and stands in the woods as they want, I have no problem with that. As long as they don't think they own the place and get mad if someone puts one right next to it.

[PK_]

I generally avoid going anywhere near them if I can. Just my reclusive nature is guess.

So what about hacking to view WiFi cams??? It is already being done...

[stash59]

Watched a video on placing cams for elk, out in AZ. Each watering hole must have had a dozen different cams on it. No one messed with another's cam!!!!!

I'd be afraid of getting caught by the cam owner. My luck he'd be some big ornery baffoon, or a gun toting angry redneck!!! Either way I'd end up hurt!!!!

But if it involved something illegal. The cam just may get damaged!!!

[CRK925]

Why is this even a debate?

My 3rd grade teacher taught me the golden rule. Treat others how you wish to be treated. Don't mess with other people's stuff. Simple as that.

[Eddiegomes83]

I voted yes because one time I found a cam on a public spot with a bunch of bait in front of it which is illegal. I looked through the pics to see if I could identify someone which I did not. I also left some nice pictures to let the person know I didn't approve of illegal baiting in public land.

Other than that I've never touched one. I often goof around in front of them and leave some entertaining pics for them.

I have had people mess with mine by stealing the cards and batteries. That really burns me, i would rather they stole the cam and left the card than the other way around.

In my mind someone checking cards on random cams in the woods is crossing a line. I see very little difference between that and sitting in someone else's stand.

Just a question...how do you know of that is the game wardens cam or not? Or maybe just a wildlife viewer? Still not your cam? Also where is the line drawn on how many spots a person can claim with cams and stands?

The game wardens cams are clearly marked, I have found them before. There is no feeding of wildlife on public property wether hunting or not. This particular cam was set up over an illegal baiting pile. That is crossing more than an ethical line.
No, not my cam but I did what I did and didn't feel wrong for doing it. Maybe one day I will. I know I didn't steal anything, cam, card, or Intel, and I didn't report it.
People can put as many cams and stands in the woods as they want, I have no problem with that. As long as they don't think they own the place and get mad if someone puts one right next to it.

Understood. Thanks.