camera theft
- Thread starter TreeDaddy
- Start date
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
We had five stolen last year so I did not replace them. I now have one cell camera. I at least want to be emailed a picture of the thief before the camera leaves. Not sure what I will do on regular cameras. Thievery in the area has not been reported for several months now, but you never know.
Jack Terpack
Well-Known Member
I have had several cameras stolen. Over the years I accumulated a dozen or so cameras that quit working. Now, I set the old cameras up in obvious positions and then hide a good camera to watch over the area. I have prosecuted two local individuals that were shown stealing the worthless cameras. Funny how word spreads real fast when you file charges about someone. I haven't had any issues since.
I also put a lot of my cameras higher on trees. I run around checking my cameras on my ATV. I just back up to the tree and stand on the rear deck to pull the cards. It's a little safer 9 feet off the ground and I like the picture angle better also.
I also put a lot of my cameras higher on trees. I run around checking my cameras on my ATV. I just back up to the tree and stand on the rear deck to pull the cards. It's a little safer 9 feet off the ground and I like the picture angle better also.
Beechnut
Member
When we bought our place 9 years ago, we had problems with stolen cameras, camp broken into, storage building broken into. I think it's been 6 years since anything has been broken into or stolen. We bought those mini dvr infrared cams and caught a guy breaking into camp. Cops came, got the video and nabbed the jerk a few months later. Frankie Bowers, never forget his name, got 2 years probation. Karma goes around though. He was killed in a car accident a year later.
Around the same time we bought the infrared cams, we were telling everyone we could not to go on the land because we have traps out, boards with nails sticking up, barbed wire across trails, etc. We really didn't but like someone else said, word gets around in those small towns quick.
Sorry this is happening to you, I feel your pain!
Around the same time we bought the infrared cams, we were telling everyone we could not to go on the land because we have traps out, boards with nails sticking up, barbed wire across trails, etc. We really didn't but like someone else said, word gets around in those small towns quick.
Sorry this is happening to you, I feel your pain!
timrod
Active Member
I had a buddy that was constantly getting cams stolen, and foodplots hit with roundup the first week of October by whom was suspected to be the neighbor. (Not proven) The certain neighbor was also a lawyer and major pain. It may seem a little nuts, but I suggested to my buddy that he purchase the most expensive trail camera he could find >500.00 and set it up with a mini pet tracking gps device hidden behind the battery compartment. There are many on the market for less than 50.00, and man they are small. There are even some that alert you via text if your "pet" leaves the preset geofence that you build on google maps.
Why the expensive camera you may ask? Well, the way I saw it was if you really wanted to burn someone for theft and trespassing, why not put the dollar amount at a felony level or higher? Let the law decide. In Illinois, having a felony keeps you from posessing firearms, and can cause you to be disbarred if you happen to be a lawyer. He never did do it, but rather just stopped hunting that property out of frustration.
I have no place for thiefs in my life, and would not stand for it. I've been lucky enough to only ever have one stolen, and was recovered for me. With today's technology, for a small investment you can eliminate theft. It may be a bumpy ride, but well worth the piece of mind.
Why the expensive camera you may ask? Well, the way I saw it was if you really wanted to burn someone for theft and trespassing, why not put the dollar amount at a felony level or higher? Let the law decide. In Illinois, having a felony keeps you from posessing firearms, and can cause you to be disbarred if you happen to be a lawyer. He never did do it, but rather just stopped hunting that property out of frustration.
I have no place for thiefs in my life, and would not stand for it. I've been lucky enough to only ever have one stolen, and was recovered for me. With today's technology, for a small investment you can eliminate theft. It may be a bumpy ride, but well worth the piece of mind.
Blizzard Ridge
Well-Known Member
I had a couple cameras stolen this year and many pictures of trespassers. I am at my wits end with trespassers at this point. I had a couple guys from Chicago area that were down here trespassing on some of my ground and my son caught them. He caught them and as they sat there lying about having permission my son dialed my number and handed one of them the phone. I ripped them up one side and down the other for ruining my sons hunt and now mine because I am sitting in a tree 10 miles away yelling into my phone. So I tell the guy to get their stuff and get out and I better not see them again or I will be prosecuting them. The very next day at a farm about 3/4 mile north, my son is walking into the farm to hunt that morning, he comes up the lane by our food plot and sees taillights sitting by the plot. He points his flashlight at them and they spin around in farmers field and try to run my son over as they barrel down the hill never to be seen again until I pulled my cards out of my camera. I have numerous pictures of these jackasses. If I catch them in the area again I won't be calling the game warden, I will take matters into my own hands and these guys will take the beating they deserve. They made it personal by trying to run my son over.
swat1018
Well-Known Member
There is a guy in my County here that doesn't call the police anymore. He takes a set of cutters and cuts all four valve stems off the tires of trespassers. He said it takes all the frustration he use to have away, and turns it into joy. He claims nobody has come back for seconds.
Turkey Creek
Well-Known Member
Skunk essence is cheap enough and when applied to a trespassers vehicle in a couple key locations can help to make you feel a little better as well!
The Famous Grouse
Member
Back to the topic at hand, the key with keeping cams from getting stolen is concealment.
1. As has been mentioned, put them high up in a tree. People just don't look up very much, so getting them up 12-16 feet off the ground really, really helps.
I've even had cams on public land and as long as they were way up in a tree they stayed put. I had a small aluminum ladder that I carried with me and just that 6 foot ladder plus my own height was enough to get them up 12-14 feet off the ground, where very few people will look. And even if they spot the camera, if you pick the right tree, they have to be freaking Tarzan to try to climb up there, cut the lock, and steal the cam.
2. This might look like a joke, but get these little camo ghillie suits for the camera called a CAMBUSH. They make the cams damn near invisible, I mean I can seriously see where a guy could lose a camera with these CAMBUSH things on it. I mean if you just put a cam out "on a trail" and didn't really pay attention, expecting to just come back and spot it, well... The way they break up the outline and eliminate all man-made "shine" and the square shape, my eye just does not catch the camera. I have 2 of them I use on cams that I put on the edge of my property where they might be seen, and I've had my father go looking for the cams and he couldn't find them even knowing they were right on a fenceline.
Grouse
1. As has been mentioned, put them high up in a tree. People just don't look up very much, so getting them up 12-16 feet off the ground really, really helps.
I've even had cams on public land and as long as they were way up in a tree they stayed put. I had a small aluminum ladder that I carried with me and just that 6 foot ladder plus my own height was enough to get them up 12-14 feet off the ground, where very few people will look. And even if they spot the camera, if you pick the right tree, they have to be freaking Tarzan to try to climb up there, cut the lock, and steal the cam.
2. This might look like a joke, but get these little camo ghillie suits for the camera called a CAMBUSH. They make the cams damn near invisible, I mean I can seriously see where a guy could lose a camera with these CAMBUSH things on it. I mean if you just put a cam out "on a trail" and didn't really pay attention, expecting to just come back and spot it, well... The way they break up the outline and eliminate all man-made "shine" and the square shape, my eye just does not catch the camera. I have 2 of them I use on cams that I put on the edge of my property where they might be seen, and I've had my father go looking for the cams and he couldn't find them even knowing they were right on a fenceline.
Grouse
They did some logging next to our lease property last year and ended up building a nice hunting camp you can see on google earth. Well we have a road that has a cable blocking acces on the property line since both tracts are owned by the same logging company. A couple hundred yards from it I had a camera stolen. It's the first cam stolen on this property. It made me pretty mad.
Elkaddict
Well-Known Member
I've lost multiple cameras and a dozen or more SD cards sprout legs. I had a half dozen cameras in lockboxes this year that were unmolested and will double that next year. I prefer video to still pics as you have a better chance of getting usable images or record incriminating words. I've got a video clip of one guy as he notices the came, swear with a worried look on his face. I also like to place them on trails or natural funnels where they won't be noticed until they are on top of them. I've got lots of video/pics of trespassers but have failed in IDing them or persuading the LEO's to use face recognition software they have at their disposal. None of them wear the state mandated backtags which would make an ID easier. I've showed the pics to the neighbors asking for help. I'm convinced they're witholding info in some cases. When I catch someone, I intend to sue them civilly as well as press charges. This will force them to expend thousand in attorney fees (it only costs me time).
swat1018
Well-Known Member
Facial recognition software is used more on television than in the real world....
elkaddict, how does one sue civilly on trespassers? Wasn't aware anything like that existed.
Elkaddict
Well-Known Member
I think it would be hard to do without a lawyer. I am one so it only costs me time. It's suing someone for the tort of trespass. Damages would be minimal for trespass but presumed in most jurisdictions. In many states, you'd be able to make a claim for punitives as well. If you could prove they'd stolen a camera, punitives and additional damages would be a slam dunk. I'd also seek a permanent injunction prohibiting further trespass. This requires demonstrating irreparable harm. Again, in most states, trespass to realty is presumed to cause irreparable harm. Judges take violations of their orders very seriously and would be quick impose significant sanctions/fees/jail time. I'd also make a request for attorney fees in a set amount. To avoid a default judgement, most folks would be forced to hire an attorney. This alone would serve the deterrent purpose IMO. I would not settle the case without a permanent injunction and some payment of my fees. No way they'd get out of it without spending thousands. Someone paying their own attorney to bring such an action would have a harder time justifying it financially. However, I'm convinced that until I've made an example of someone in a real way, my trespassing will continue.
Kabic
Active Member
Can you expand on this a little? Maybe this is a difference between the legal definition and common definition, but I have a hard time seeing how someone taking a uninvited stroll through your land is irreparable harm.
I'm not defending trespassing, just trying to understand .
Elkaddict
Well-Known Member
Irreparable harm in this context refers to harm for which monetary dames would not make you hole. I'll give you a live example. I've got neighbors with horses. They have no fences on their 100+ acres and have traditionally made no effort to keep them on their property spring, summer and fall (they trespass all over the neighborhood). In my state, feeding wildlife is prohibited. However, foodplots are expressly permitted. My primary aim is to provide supplemental nutrition, particularly for the winter months to avoid a winter kill. The horses were on my place repeatedly over the summer devastating my corn/brassicas. Money damages won't make me hole because I have no legal means to otherwise provide supplemental feed over the winter, hence, the harm is irreparable. With the human trespasser, the analysis is similar. You purchase or lease property for your own private enjoyment and benefit. Money damages are really inadequate to compensate you for the intrusion and loss of exclusive enjoyment of your property. As noted in my earlier post, most states recogize this concept and presume trespass is irreparable opening the door for a court order prohibiting further trespass. Does this make sense? The complexities/nuances are why it would be difficult for a non-lawyer to successfully assert such a claim on their own.
Kabic
Active Member
Thanks for explaining, I figured this was legal definition that I needed.
I don't remember too much from my business law class, except for "you don't own the view if you don't own the land" stemming from a case where someone sued because their view was either blocked or damaged from activities of the adjacent land owner. I don't even remember the details ...but they lost. We were probably talking about "takings" ...
I don't remember too much from my business law class, except for "you don't own the view if you don't own the land" stemming from a case where someone sued because their view was either blocked or damaged from activities of the adjacent land owner. I don't even remember the details ...but they lost. We were probably talking about "takings" ...
