Deploying a Camera Trap - Best Practices

Deploying a camera trap - best practices

Modes

• Use 'high' or 'very high' sensitivity settings and reduce this only if blowing vegetation is an issue.

• No time delay between images

• No timelapse mode

If you see more than 50% of images as false triggers and/or more than 100 images daily it may be worth evaluating your setup.

Reconyx's default recommendation for default trail mode

How does a camera actually work?

The Reconyx Instruction Manual is a great resource.

The motion detector has a range of up to 100 feet (30 meters), but its effectiveness depends on the size, temperature compared to the surroundings, and speed of the moving subject. The camera's alignment is crucial for maximizing detection range, with a horizontal detection band being especially important.

For the camera to trigger, two things need to happen:

1. An object with a temperature different from the background temperature must be present within the field of view of the motion detector (shown in red) (i.e., something warmer or colder than the ambient temperature).

2. That object (with a temperature differential) must move horizontally within the active zone approximately 1/8 of the way across the camera's field of view.

Key Positioning Tips

Adapted from our friends at TrailCamPro.com

Trail cameras use heat and motion detection to trigger, requiring movement from an object warmer than the surrounding air, with easier triggering in colder temperatures but reduced detection range as temperatures approach typical animal body temperatures around 35°C.

1. Camera Orientation: Aiming north (south in the southern hemisphere) prevents overexposure by avoiding direct sunlight, which can lead to false triggers as the sun moves throughout the day.

2. Debris Management: Removing loose debris like leaves and tall grass is crucial to prevent false triggers, as the wind can blow them and create a movement that the camera interprets as activity.

3. Lighting Match: Placing the camera in a lighting situation matching the area it covers ensures correct exposure settings, preventing overexposed or underexposed photos by adapting to the available light conditions.

4. Height: Since trail cameras trigger based on heat, you want to position your camera at the same height as the area of the animal that produces the most heat.

5. Optimal Camera Angle: To maximize detection range, align your camera parallel to the terrain, not necessarily level. A slight tilt upward or downward can cause the camera's detection zone to miss distant animals or intersect with the ground, so aim for the horizon to be centered vertically in the frame for ideal results.

Position camera at same height as where the core body temperature is on animal

Horizon should be halfway througjh shot

Troubleshooting

False Triggers

• To address false triggers, start by resetting your camera to default settings, with high sensitivity and no time-lapse mode.

• Ensure the camera isn't exposed to direct sunlight and clear any obstructing vegetation from its view.

• Keep in mind that false triggers are more likely on sunny, windy days when plants warm up and their movement can be mistaken for animals. Careful camera placement and settings can help prevent this.

• Only lower the camera's motion sensitivity as a last resort, as it can reduce its ability to detect animal movement, especially in the summer.

Camera Not Triggering on Animals

• Start by resetting your camera to Default settings, ensuring high sensitivity for the motion detector, which is crucial in warmer months when animals' temperatures approach the background temperature, affecting signal strength and range.

• If issues persist, refer to the "Mounting and Aiming Your Camera" section and utilize the WalkTest mode. Be mindful that most animals aren't as tall as humans, so when using WalkTest, avoid walking upright as the camera may trigger on your upper body instead of the legs where animals are more likely.

• Remember that other factors like wind, animal heat dispersion on breezy days, and movement direction (side-to-side being more effective) can also impact the camera's motion detection. Slow-moving animals might not generate a strong enough signal to trigger the camera.

Battery Life Less than Expected

NiMH Battery Performance: In hot weather, NiMH batteries have a shorter lifespan, resulting in reduced camera run times. This decrease can be significant, with potential drops of up to 50% in temperatures near or above 90°F.