Should Trail Cameras Be Legal For Deer Hunting? Quick Survey with Results:

In light of the recent news coming out of Arizona, we really had to scratch our heads and ponder their statewide trail camera regulations.

Now we know that every situation is different, and in no way want to lead with our own bias. However, since we have such a strong audience of whitetail hunters I wanted to run a quick and simple 4 question poll to get a gauge on some others' thoughts.

Again, we are hunting out of Minnesota and Wisconsin usually here at BoneView. We know Arizona hunting is VERY different than our own. Not to mention our business very much revolves around trail cameras, so we obviously have our biases.

This quick poll is only meant to be fun and semi-informational. We plan to share the results with you after it appears most have had the chance to provide their opinions.

Here is the data we received back on our quick, little 4-question trail camera survey over the weekend. We thought it would be interesting to take a quick poll after hearing about recent regulations established in Arizona this year. If you missed the poll just see below. We sent this out to over 25,000 emails across the nation and definitely saw a good mix of responses. We thank all who took a moment to add their 2-cents so we could all get a feel for the varying perspectives out there!

 

Question 1:

Lazy and smart

More of a hobby here in AZ

it’s very hard to harvest off a cam but a fun way to check new country and scout

NOT FOT MULE DEER

What seems to be the problem? The wildlife still have the upper hand. We're coming in to the deer's living room. We're on their turf. The scales are tipped greatly in their favor even with the use of cameras and guns. We don't have their nose, ears, eyes, brain or even their sixth sense! What seems to be the problem?

I use trail cameras for monitoring our deer population and helping to identify mature bucks.

I do not believe they should be used for transmitting real time or near real time information during a hunt.

I am old enough that I have more days in the woods prior to the development of trail cameras than I care to admit. I still believe the skill and joy of hunting is when the hunter uses his own senses and ability to find game. So, I may be an anomaly in this high tech world.

 

Question 2:

Use of trail cameras is abused by some hunters. If the deer had hunter cams, it might be more equal. Cameras should be used for scouting and monitoring deer populations, not as an aid to the actual hunt.

Certain types of trail cameras

Cell cams should be

On private land I think not but in public spaces maybe

Depends on what you mean 'regulated'. As to placement or?

On Public Lands

Depends on the regulation - its scope and purpose

not if they are only used for wildlife

 

Question 3:

Don't know enough about public land hunting to answer.

I don’t see them as an issue anywhere.

Just more likely to get stolen on public land

there stolen anywhere.

They’re not a problem on either

Trail cameras are always subject to crappy people stilling them, but other than theives on both private and public are the only issue.

You should be able to do what you want on your private ground, also I’ve had cameraS stolen on private land.

not an issue on either other than theft concerns

Perhaps yes, but animals don't know the difference.

My opinion, to me on putting a camera on public land is that there is a lot of wrongful people who will steal your cameras, if they find them.

They are not an issue anywhere just have to hide them better on public ground

Not sure what is meant by more of an issue

Not an issue anywhere

Only when (blank) decide to smash them

Only real issue here is the security of the trail camera

 

Question 4 (To clarify, this question is referring to on-demand viewing with wireless cell cameras.)

Strongly agree if they are used for monitoring deer movement during a hunt.

I think this depends on how they are being used, but I do think it is getting close to that limit

There again if its your land, do/use as you please.

Tcameras should be very high tech and affordable since the footprint is small.

Real time may reduce maintenance visits to change memory cards?

To me there is nothing wrong with using a trail camera, it is nice to observe your hunting area to see what is out there.

what’s your point

So, not a problem

Don't understand what you mean about the question

I don’t see a problem with that

We also use a cellular trail cam for security monitoring of our hunting cabin. They cannot be too advanced for our purposes.

I think the prices for trail cameras are getting out of hand and need to come back down to reality.

Trail cameras help me manage my deer population, as well as manage coyote and bobcat predators as well. I choose size and location of food plots based on data from trail cameras also

Trail cameras should be manufactured in the USA.

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