VermontHunter Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Since I had one of my Bushnell Trophy Cams stolen last weekend " Rather easily I must add " I thought I would give you folks a heads up ... on what you think would be secure and deter a thief ... My camera was lag bolted to the tree with hardened 6" coarse thread lag bolts, in a heavy duty lock box, and locked with a high grade Master Lock, and Python Cabled to the tree ,,, SAFE and SECURE right ??? NOT, the thief / thieves stole this camera and didn't even disturb the bark on the tree ... Here's some pics of my camera setup ... $300.00 gone just like that .... Just goes to show if a thief wants something bad enough, they will make a plan and make it happen ... Just thought I would give a heads up on some of these so called cut proof locks and cables... Now for some REAL theft deterent items ... NOTICE I didn't make the mistake and say theft proof .. I just got me a NEW 18ft. ladderstand and I don't want it growing legs and walking off with little to NO effort so I did some research on a couple theft resistant items that I thought I would share with you folks and maybe even get some feedback on them as well ... #1. is this item ... Onguard 5018 Beast Chain & Lock - 12mm Hex Hardened Steel Item #2 is this item I will be using in conjuction with item #1 ... and one of my favorites .. The Stand Guardian 1" Stand Cable Lock Stand Guardian - Home I hope this info helps someone from a big disapointment when they go to check on thier secure camera or stand ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Dang Luke...the thieves must have found it left and then came back prepared with whatever they needed to get it. I can see how that 1" cable would secure your stand but not sure how you're going to protect a trail camera from those thieves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted August 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Dang Luke...the thieves must have found it left and then came back prepared with whatever they needed to get it. I can see how that 1" cable would secure your stand but not sure how you're going to protect a trail camera from those thieves. The thief / thieves definately did thier home work Al, they needed a ratchet and extension with a 1/2" socket .. So they were prepared. As for my 1 remaining camera,, it will be mounted higher in the tree requiring climbing sticks or sterps to reach it, and it will be concealed better, with hopes of not being detected .. The chain and 1" cable have been tested up to 6 ft. comercial bolts cutters with the ground for leverage, so being in the air should take away 95% of any type of leverage ... These two items are 100 % hacksaw proof and as for a cordless angle grinder the chain is good for 2 fully charged 24 volt batteries and 4 cutting disks ,,, ... but as with anything left unattended in the woods ... if it's desired by a thief bad enough, they will usually find a way to rip you off or trash it in the attemp ... This is where a coupleof cheap cameras strategically place will come in handy .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungry hunter Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Don't loose the keys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted August 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Don't loose the keys!! No worries there ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Sorry to hear that Luke....had one stand stolen...I went right to the adjoining land owners and told them I got trail cam pics..and pay back will be a b......! Now when ever something happens, they think.."must be payback"....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 (edited) seriously though a theif will do whatever it takes. I've had a friend's car really close to getting stolen. She found her car the next morning with the driver side door lock partially cut out from a cutting torch. they may have gotten spotted or ran out of gas. who knows? not even sure why they felt the need to use cutting torches anyway. ...i'd love to scout some really promising public land near albany, ny using cams, but i know they'd be stolen. i know people that have tried with that result. it's pretty sad. Edited August 23, 2011 by dbHunterNY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I think, before I bought all the cables and chains, I'd find a place to mount a cheap camera........with another camera 20 feet or so above it, facing down from an overhanging limb. Best to find a place where you need a ladder stick or climbing treestand to place the elevated camera. Get a picture of the DB's and take it to the sheriff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse8953 Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I think trail cams should come with a built in gps chip.then you could track it and get your cam back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted August 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 I think, before I bought all the cables and chains, I'd find a place to mount a cheap camera........with another camera 20 feet or so above it, facing down from an overhanging limb. Best to find a place where you need a ladder stick or climbing treestand to place the elevated camera. Get a picture of the DB's and take it to the sheriff. I planned on this already with my last remaining cam Don ... I plan on getting a couple more cheaper cams in the future when the budget allows .. I think trail cams should come with a built in gps chip.then you could track it and get your cam back. Believe it or not I've already made that suggestion to Bushnell and a few other Trail Cam manufactures, but yet have to hear back from them on this idea ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Not sure how soon you plan to buy a new one but here's a thought. Buy an el cheapo broken unit off ebay and lock it up. Stick your new one about 10 foot up a tree pointing at the lock box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Not sure how soon you plan to buy a new one but here's a thought. Buy an el cheapo broken unit off ebay and lock it up. Stick your new one about 10 foot up a tree pointing at the lock box. ...and hook it up to a solar powered fencer for more entertainment. part of me wants to put up a WIFI connected cam with real time photo saving to an online account, hang a sign stating that, and put it up where stuff like that has been going on. go ahead steal it and have you pay for twice it's value so i can get another one and you'll be in jail. in most state the value of that stuff would mean grand larceny. also, it'd be just like the show "To Catch a Predator", you're bound to get some idiot to try anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Man that stinks your cam got stolen Luke. Any chance it is the same camera and place where you had the pics earlier that were of the tresspasser? Think I would be rigging something if it were me to catch the lowlife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted August 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Man that stinks your cam got stolen Luke. Any chance it is the same camera and place where you had the pics earlier that were of the tresspasser? Think I would be rigging something if it were me to catch the lowlife. Yep, same place and camera William ... and I will be placing my remaining cam in a concealed spot to try and catch some action ... And I really like Joe's idea .. I plan on getting a couple sub $100 cams to set out as soon as my budget allows ... Too bad we have to resort to such thing ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted August 25, 2011 Report Share Posted August 25, 2011 On top of all that you mentioned, I would also be mounting to the largest tree you have in the area. You can spend alot of money on deterents but the weak link is the wood it is mounted to. 20 secs with a chain saw would take 99% of the cameras in the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted August 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 On top of all that you mentioned, I would also be mounting to the largest tree you have in the area. You can spend alot of money on deterents but the weak link is the wood it is mounted to. 20 secs with a chain saw would take 99% of the cameras in the woods. So very true, and they will without hesitation and remorse infact ... I can see how that 1" cable would secure your stand but not sure how you're going to protect a trail camera from those thieves. Actually Al, I did a little more digging and this company also makes a lockbox that accomadates the 1" Cable and most major brands of cameras ... Here's some info on it ... a little pricey, but so are our game cameras .. [TABLE=width: 100%] [TR] [TD=colspan: 2]Swivel Safe SG for Bushnell [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 75%]Price per Unit (piece): $89.99 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=colspan: 2] Why is trail camera theft spiraling out of control? Two reasons: 1) The latest digital designs are very valuable, often costing $500 or more; 2) Trail cameras can’t be protected from bolt-cutters and hacksaws. Well, not anymore, thanks to the new Swivel Safe SG. Its quarter-inch steel housing has a locking mechanism that accepts your Stand Guardian! What’s more, it swivels on a dime, so you can get perfect camera lens alignment from imperfect trees. Supplies are limited at the introductory price of just $89.99 plus S & H. Also, be sure to check out Jeff Murray’s article in the September, 2008 Buckmasters issue for hard-hitting insights on this amazing scouting tool. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted August 27, 2011 Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 I think, before I bought all the cables and chains, I'd find a place to mount a cheap camera........with another camera 20 feet or so above it, facing down from an overhanging limb. Best to find a place where you need a ladder stick or climbing treestand to place the elevated camera. Get a picture of the DB's and take it to the sheriff. I think a picture of the top of the dude's head or his ball cap might not be of much value to the LEO's. I don't have a great answer either, just saying this one might not get it done like one might hope. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestKyTeacher Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I like the idea of getting a camera that sends the pictures to you cell phone and e-mail. Then if they steal it you still have pictures of them doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 (edited) I like the idea of getting a camera that sends the pictures to you cell phone and e-mail. Then if they steal it you still have pictures of them doing so. The wireless cameras are great except for the the fact they seem to be geared more for the outfitter than the lone hunter. They are expensive and thier wireless plans start at an additional $50 a month for wireless service this is above the cost of the unit itself. And not everyone hunts an area that has access to a cell tower to transmit or receive your signal ( which I don't ), so you are back to relying on the SD card method again ... Here's a link to the Buck Eye Cams ... Camera Overview https://www.smartscouter.com/ssPurchase.aspx?cid=5 Beating a true thief is an impossible task, that will have you tearing your hair out and breaking the law yourself with a few beatings of the ones you happen to catch ... Edited August 28, 2011 by VermontHunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestKyTeacher Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Can you not do the add a line for $9.99? I was told that it would work. As far as signal goes, that would be the only down fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Can you not do the add a line for $9.99? I was told that it would work. As far as signal goes, that would be the only down fall. From what I've read about the two examples that I've used, NO,, you have to suscribe to thier service ... I'm not sure about other units that use add-on wireless service .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted September 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Can you not do the add a line for $9.99? I was told that it would work. As far as signal goes, that would be the only down fall. There are cams out there that work with your already existing cell service. Unfortunately cell service in my hunting are is very unreliable or non-existant. UPDATE: I've setup my new ladder stand that I aready had, and it's been chained to a very large cherry tree with the Beast Chain mentioned above. Unfortunately obtaining the StandGuardian Cable proved to be very difficult so I didn't get one of those and the money saved from that will go towards a new camera that I want .. We'll see if my stand stays put ... The more I research on the Tiny-W cam the more I want one, so I'm now in save mode ... Oct. 1st. isn't far off and I'm gearing up for that bow opener ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.