Stolen Trail Camera GPS Tracking [Preventing Theft]

Imagine this: your trail camera suddenly stops sending data to your phone entirely. So, you go out there to check the issue, only to find that your camera is gone, a.k.a stolen. What would be your immediate reaction? To find the camera, of course.

But how are you supposed to find a stolen camera if you don’t know where to look? The answer is: you can’t. So it’s time to have a meltdown, go back home and buy a new trail camera.

Things wouldn’t have been this complicated if you knew how to track your camera with a GPS. So, let’s talk about stolen trail camera GPS tracking.

Stolen Trail Camera GPS Tracking

Having a GPS installed in your camera comes in handy to track the camera if you lose it in the woods. But that’s one of the two benefits of using a GPS tracker.

Trail camera theft is nothing new or surprising. You can never know what type of people live in or pass the area where you set the camera. That’s why bugging your camera with a GPS tracker can be ensuring enough to track the camera if it gets stolen.

Once you have installed the GPS tracker, it will ping you through the wireless network no matter where you are. Thus, if someone steals the camera, you will notice the location changing through your smartphone. You can follow the signal the GPS is sending or alert the police of the theft.

Preventing Trail Camera Theft

You cannot stop people from trying to steal your cameras. However, you can take precautionary steps to prevent the problem. Along with placement hacks and security gadgets, you can do your best to secure your trail camera.

These hacks are not a hundred percent theft-proof. Nevertheless, they are always worth trying.

Lock Up The Camera

Locking your cameras will prevent thieves from simply grabbing the camera and running. They will have to go through locks and chains to reach the camera. And believe me, not all of them are up for the job.

You will find several types of trail camera locks in the market. None of them are effective. Still, you can select what kind of lock you want based on your choice.

  • Chain Lock: Chain locks are cheaper and easy to lock and unlock. You can find these chain locks anywhere.

To make the camera more secure, you can use more than one padlock. The downside of this lock is that they are easy to cut. And if the thieves know what to expect, they can steal the camera swiftly.

  • Python Lock: Python locks are as fierce as their names. You can tighten the cable of these locks around trees as much as you want.

On top of that, the key-lock ends are difficult to spot by someone else. That leaves a slim chance for thieves to steal your camera.

  • Lockbox: If you would rather have something that feels safer, I suggest you go for a lockbox. These boxes are designed especially for trail cameras.

The metal of the lockboxes is hard to crack. Besides, they will leave enough space around the lens and sensors so that the camera works fine.

Place It Higher

Usually, the standard height of a trail camera placement is three feet. That gives the camera a perfect angle for capturing game movements. But, this height makes the camera more visible and detectable by anyone.

If you want to avoid people from spotting or stealing your trail camera, place it a little higher. Placing it 10-12 feet off the ground would be enough to hide it from plain sight.

Make sure to angle the camera downwards so that it can capture photos. You can use Trail Camera Mounts to rotate and flex the camera vertically.

Camouflage The Camera

You will notice that most of the trail cameras, especially the updated ones, come with tree-like colors and patterns. That is to make it easier to camouflage the camera.

While selecting a location for placing your trail camera, always look for trees that match your camera color. Once you find such a tree and install the camera in it, you will hardly notice anything from a distance.

Another way to camouflage the camera is to cover it with leaves or foliage. You can choose artificial foliage rather than real one. While natural foliage will shrink and get dry over time, artificial ones will stick around longer.

Use Small Cameras

Smaller cameras are easier to hide and protect from theft. Nowadays, many trail camera manufacturers are manufacturing small yet high-tech trail cameras. Passers-by will hardly notice small trail cameras.

No-Glow Flash

White flash or infrared flashlight creates bright light while taking pictures. One can spot such light from a standard distance. That’s why experts often suggest using no-glow or dark flashlights.

No-glow flash trail cameras cost more than other types of trail cameras. But if you are going to be anti-theft, it will be worth spending the money.

GPS Tracker

I have explained this part already. If none of the above options don’t work, which is unlikely, a GPS tracker will help you find your trail camera even if someone steals it. But it doesn’t hurt to take precautions.

How To Find A Trail Camera?

If you have lost your trail camera in the woods or cannot remember where you placed it, try the following to find it.

  • If you remember the color and pattern of your camera, look for trees that match the color. Your camera might be around.
  • Look up the trees if you have placed them higher up there.
  • At night, look for any signs of flashes.
  • You have likely installed your camera near trails or food beds. Look there too.
  • If your camera has a GPS tracker in it, you can find it without trouble.

Related Content: How to Hide Trail Camera From Humans

Final Words

There are several trail camera brands available in the market that comes with a built-in GPS. A stolen trail camera GPS tracking is not difficult if you have one of these cameras.

But it is better to take prevention and stay safe than be sorry later. I believe if you follow the tips and hacks, it will ensure your camera’s safety.

  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from Qualifying Purchases.

Leave a Comment