Let me get this out of the way, “POOH!!!!”  That is as strong a language I suppose I should use here on the blog.  Why POOH?  Below are pictures of the auxiliary battery and solar panel after a recent check of my Moultrie D40 game camera.  Some varmint, likely a deer judging from the pictures although the battery and solar panel were located too close to the camera to capture the action, shredded the cables.  Previously something chewed the solar panel connector off that cord, but I was able to apply a “field-expedient” fix with some electrical tape.  This time there was no field-fixing.  I’ll have to obtain new cables and a new connector.  It will give me the opportunity to add the second 1.5 watt solar panel I’d been dragging my feet on. 

Shredded solar panel and battery pack cables.

The following sequence of pictures shows a rascally raccoon or raccoons pulling the D40 off the tree it was mounted on.  Although the camera was fixed to the tree with bungee cords and a Master Lock Python cable the raccoon’s weight was enough to dislodge it and ensure any future pictures would be of a single plant.

Several young raccoons approach a mineral block.

The raccoons abandon the mineral block and head towards the game camera.

A raccoon dislodges the game camera.

This next picture shows Camp Pug member Hunt Master’s game camera after the outer case was infested with ants.  The folks over at Chasingame have indicated that ants can sometimes get into the internal portions of the camera and ruin the electronics.  Luckily the ants stayed in the outer case.  I was able to brush them and their eggs out with fern fronds as I despise being bitten by these little Herculean pests.

Ants in a game camera – not your pants…

Two-legged scum bags and large predators pose a much greater threat to game cameras.  Below are security boxes I’ve made for my two cameras from relatively inexpensive materials.  First is a security box for a Moultrie D40 game camera (see my review here).  It is fashioned from a surplus 7.62 NATO ammunition box that cost about $5.00.  I chopped the box in the appropriate places using an angle grinder fitted with a metal cutting blade.  Two eye-bolts were added (the ends of the threads were “peened” over to prevent removal) for the addition of a chain or Master Lock Python cable and two riser blocks were added to the back for proper camera positioning.  I primer painted the box to mitigate rust and added camouflage tape.  I like the look of the tape, but over time it starts to peel off.  In the future I’ll stick to my “compost” camouflage shown below.  A major detriment to this arrangement is that the box must be removed from the tree to swap out SD cards.

A security box made for the Moultrie D40 game camera. 

The completed security box along with some un-shredded cables.

The diminutive size of the HCO ScoutGuard 550 (see my review here) required a much smaller box than that of the D40.  I modified an air conditioner electrical cut-out switch box to fit this camera.  A Dremel tool was used to cut and grind the opening, hardware cloth was wired in to position the camera correctly and an eye bolt was installed to aid security with a chain or Python cable.  Foam buttons and a small bungee applied to the camera also helped position it correctly.  I also pop-riveted some small “L” brackets to the sides for use with bungee cords.  I primer painted the box and used sticks and grass from my compost pile along with three colors of paint for camouflage.  This set up allows me to swap out SD cards without removing the box from the camera.

A security box made for the SG550 game camera.

A close up of the foam buttons and hardware cloth.

The finished security box.

I am sure I haven’t encountered all the things that pose hazards to game cameras, but I’ll tell you I enjoy this hobby very much.

happy hunting, dv

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

• Hamming With Game Cams
• A dv Gear Review – Moultrie D40 Game Camera
• A dv Gear Review – Scout Guard 550 Game Camera

Feedback, Questions & Comments 

See A Note On dv’s Gear Reviews and Gear Provider Recommendations.

Product:  The Scout Guard 550 Game Camera

Overall Rating:  ****+ (4.5 stars)

Specifications:

- Extra small size 5 1/4″ H x 3 1/4″ W x 2 1/8″ D
- Motion Sensor with adjustable sensitivity
- 1.2 second trigger speed
- 3MP or 5MP picture size
- Up to 2GB SD card
- 1 second – 60 minutes programmable delay
- 1 – 60 second programmable video length
- Stand-by mode to preserve battery life
- 8 AA batteries – extra long battery life
- Wired remote control for easy programming and compact size
- Operates from -20c to 60c
- Available in camouflage for added concealment
- 1 year limited warranty   

Cost:  ***** (4 stars).  $199.95 including free shipping.  Compare its features and performance to comparable models and this is an excellent value.  I just hate spending this much for a camera. 

Performance:  ****** (5 stars).  I don’t ask a lot from my game cameras.  Take pictures or videos reliably and I’m set.  Trigger time is nice compared to my 3 second Moultrie D40.   

Battery life:  Outstanding.  Utilizing the camera on still picture mode with a single picture and one minute delay I put in a set of batteries on September 15th, 2008.  The batteries were still showing two-thirds battery life on January 3rd, 2009 after taking hundreds of photos. 

Picture quality:  Day time pictures and video are clear and some are so nice I want to frame them.  Night time infrared pictures and videos are a little grainy, but discernible.

Set up:  Set up is easy even without reading the manual.

Security:  Camera includes an integral groove for use with a cinch-able lock like the Master Lock Python series.  However, this is easily overcome by sliding the camera up the tree to a smaller diameter.  I recommend the use of a security box which I’ll feature in a future DIY blog.

Manufacturer’s Customer Service:  Not rated, not used.

Source:  Bee Busy Outdoors.  Ordering and shipping went smoothly.

General notes:  This is a great little game camera.  Easily concealable, well functioning.  I have to make one note about viewing pictures from it on common game camera viewers, digital picture frames or point-and-shoot cameras.  There are two common File Allocation Table (FAT) formats for removable media like SD cards, FAT 12 and FAT 16.  The SGs are FAT 16 which is the opposite of most devices.  This creates problems when trying to find a suitable field reader.  Your desktop or laptop PC will have no problems.  Just be aware of this going into a purchase.      

happy hunting, dv

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

• Hamming With Game Cams
• JD Welding Arrow Spin Testing – A dv Gear Review
• The Magnet Gun Caddy – A dv Gear Review
• A dv Gear Review – Moultrie D40 Game Camera

Feedback, Questions & Comments 

Here is July 2009’s best trail cam photo.  

While it may not be all that exciting to most, this is our first bear picture from Camp Pug and is right behind the cabin.     

A bear crosses approximately 70 yards behind the cabin in the background.

happy hunting, dv

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Here are some of my favorite 2008/2009 season trail camera photos.

This spiker was unlucky enough to catch me off guard.  

He ended up in the freezer about a week later.

I placed a camera over the entrail pile from the spike pictured above to try to catch some coyotes, foxes or racoons.  Instead, I got a surprise.  

This buck is checking out the entrail pile from the spike, above.  

This is my mineral block.  There are many like it, but this one is mine…

The zoo.  Turkeys to the right, a deer in the front and a racoon just to the left of the deer.

Spike and Rick out partying.

We call this guy forky, but he’s really a 6-point.

Forky dropped both his antlers in the same spot.

happy hunting, dv

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See the general note about dv’s Gear Reviews.

Product:  The Moultrie D40 Game Camera

Overall Rating:  ***+ (3.3 stars)

Specifications (from Moultrie’s website):  

• 4.0 Mega pixels
• Rapid response time captures moving game
• 60-day battery life
• 45-ft white flash ensures optimal viewable shots
• Color day and night pictures
• Video clips during the day
• Imprinted time, date and camera ID on every photo or video
• Laser and IR aim for quick and precise camera set-up
• Multi-shot pictures (up to 3 shots)
• Weather-resistant, airtight camera housing and seal
• Operates on 6 D-cell batteries (sold separately)
• Easy to operate LCD menu driven display

Cost:  **** (4 stars).  Typically $99.95 or less on sale.  I like that price.    

Performance:  *** (3 stars).  I don’t ask a lot from my game cameras.  Take pictures or videos reliably and I’m set.  Trigger time is 3 seconds from wake up (see Chasingame.com’s review).  This makes it a better food plot or feed station camera than a trail camera.        

Battery life:  Here’s the weak link in this camera.  My cameras are deployed 3.5 hours away.  In the summer I visit as seldom as every 30-45 days and in the winter my visits range from 14-21 days apart.  If the camera quits working then it isn’t much good to me.  Summer performance, especially when coupled with a solar panel and auxiliary 12 volt battery (this’ll be the subject of another blog), is 30-60 days.  In the cold temperatures of winter I’ll sometimes only get 10 days of service from good quality batteries.  At one dollar per battery for a total of $6 per crack (refer to Consumer Report’s battery testing) the cost of batteries per season starts to make this camera less attractive when compared to my Scout Guard 550 (review to follow in the future).    

Picture quality:  Good and good enough for scouting game.  See the two top photos in Best Of Trail Camera Photos – May/June 2009 for samples.

Set up:  Set up is easy/intuitive even without reading the manual.

Security:  The D40 is not easily secured as provided.  I recommend the use of a security box which I’ll feature in a future DIY blog.

Manufacturer’s Customer Service:  *** (3 stars).  I’m in the middle, on the fence on this one.  When I called to have a camera repaired they were initially stand-offish since I didn’t enter a purchase date in the warranty registration form on the website.  There were two problems with that.  First, the camera was a gift from my brother.  Second, there is no option or spare space to enter the purchase date on the online form.  I now mail in the card supplied with the camera.  However, when I sent in my D40 Moultrie with a written explanation Moultrie repaired my camera in a timely manner without additional charge.   

Source:  Gift from brother (I blame him for my current infatuation with game cameras).

General notes:  For feeding stations or food plots this is a great little game camera.  They are popular and rated well among consumers.  The price is reasonable.  It’s easy to use.  The pictures are great.  I would like to see better battery life. 

happy hunting, dv

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

• Hamming With Game Cams
• JD Welding Arrow Spin Testing – A dv Gear Review
• The Magnet Gun Caddy – A dv Gear Review

Feedback, Questions & Comments 

I really like trail cameras.  It is almost as exciting as hunting itself.  Here are the best pictures from May and June 2009. 

What appear to be a pair of wolves.

Whaaaatt have you been eating???

A fawn nursing.

happy hunting, dv

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For a little Friday chuckle visit this game camera review at Chasingame a leading “common man” source for game camera reviews.  While tongue-in-cheek I do think it pokes some fun into what many consumers expect; nuclear functionality at dirt cheap prices.   

Also, here is another “best of” from my game camera last weekend.  This guy might have some serious soriah, psoriah, ITCHING.

Scratchy Buck

happy hunting, dv

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Coming up on Mostly Archery

• How To – Make Your Own Turkey Friction Call Part 2
• Overhauling My Bow
• dv’s Gear Provider Recommendations – ACE, provider of ASAT, Sitka Gear and Wilderness Athlete Products