SilentButDeadly Report post Posted August 11, 2009 So I went to check on my beautiful almost new trail cam today after 3 weeks of pre-season picture sessions with the giant deer in my sweetest spot... It wasn't there. So somebody stole it, big surprise - it was strapped to a rotted out mesquite stick, next to a waterhole. Here are the thoughts I had as I walked out across the nastiest cactus jungle-like desert scrub in the southwest: 1.) Why don't trail cameras have a digital pin, passcode, or password on them when you turn them on? It would be easy to program, unique or personalized to each camera. It would make the camera inoperable to the thief who takes it! So they stole your camera, but guess what? It is now officially worthless to them, no value for photo taking or resale. I would guess a major reason for taking a camera is that the person values it as a camera for themselves. If you remove the value of the item as a camera it becomes more of a 'I peed in your oatmeal' sort of thing than a 'hey I just got a $200 camera for free!' thing. 2.) Maybe a camera CPU doesn't have any memory after the battery wears out , why not encrypt the photos so that they only open in the camera maker's software package + password provided? Then the camera would still be worthless to the theives? Anyway, don't worry about me, I put a hippy-liberal hunter curse on the camera (all the thief's sons will grow up and move to San Fransisco's Castro District, and all of his daughters will look and act like Jeanine Garafalo, except with fouler mouths). T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRONG Report post Posted August 11, 2009 Oh dude you truly have a way with words!!!!! Cracked me up man even though I know it's a dang serious matter. Why don't you get to work on all the things you talked about doing on trail cameras? Seems as if there's a need for that kind of crap since there's so many morons out there. Sorry for your loss bro. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunterdude Report post Posted August 11, 2009 Put a trip switch on it that has to be turned off with a pass code or kaboom with a pound of C4 type explosive! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobbyo Report post Posted August 11, 2009 Sorry for your loss, but all us swishy tree huggers will be happy. We need new recruits. Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted August 11, 2009 I think one of the cudde backs have a password protect on it already. Not sure which model though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LYONKILL33 Report post Posted August 11, 2009 Believe it or not I got one of those $84.00 tasco's from wall mart the other day and they have a password deal on 'em. It makes it pretty difficult for sure.I was scolling through and typed in a bogus password,couldnt remember what i did and i could not operate the thing what so ever.If you type the wrong password 3 times it shuts it off.It took me about an hour to figure out exactly what I had done,and the only reason i figured it out was because it was simple 2000.Any other set of numbers and I was screwed.You cannot change the password either unless you figure out the real one first. Takes a pretty good picture too,video also.Only reason i get the cheep crap,is because it hurts alot less when its gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
king4wd Report post Posted August 11, 2009 Moultrie I60 has a password feature on it. It's the cam I choose to use in busy areas. Even if it gets jacked, I have the satisfaction of knowing that the dude is up poop creek with my useless trail cam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ffjpayne Report post Posted August 11, 2009 why not put a gps tracker on it then when someone steals it you can go straight to there house and get it back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted August 11, 2009 I hate to say it but, the first guy thats gets taught a lesson for stealin a camera will probably help the situation. Its just a matter of time before someone walks up on a guy pryin his camera off the tree. Odds are the guy whos camera it is will have had at least one stolen before. If I got my arse thumped in the woods by a hunter for tryin to steal a cam (but im not a theif) I'd think twice before I did it again, and I'd tell my theivin buddies (if i had any) to think twice too. Its a shame that people cant just leave a note on the camera if they want to look at the pics. I have a business card waterproofed in tape I can leave if I wanna talk to the guy with the camera. He can call me back or not, Im not about to steal the thing. I never understood stupidity I guess. A theif is stealin from a guy who frequents the area who owns guns. Stoooopid! Just like when my dads truck got keyed while we were in CASWELLS shooting range. People who go there enter and generaly leave with handguns. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnie blaze Report post Posted August 11, 2009 As messed up as this may sound, I would think that camera companies would not make them theft proof. Means more business for them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAM Report post Posted August 11, 2009 Unfortunatley it's not about right and wrong anymore, it's all about calculated risks. The reason most people don't rob banks is because there is a pretty good chance you will get caught (high risk). With trail cameras there is very little to no chance you will get caught (low risk). I have a Moultrie that has a password protection on it. But even with a password I think they will continue to be stolen by others for the content of the memory cards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzHuntAtty Report post Posted August 11, 2009 You guys need to start putting tracking devices inside your cameras. That way when someone steals one you can hire the guy from No Country for Old Men (Javier Bardem) to track the thief and his family down. Once the word gets out the thefts will stop...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BASS Report post Posted August 11, 2009 I hate to say it but, the first guy thats gets taught a lesson for stealin a camera will probably help the situation. Its just a matter of time before someone walks up on a guy pryin his camera off the tree. Odds are the guy whos camera it is will have had at least one stolen before. If I got my arse thumped in the woods by a hunter for tryin to steal a cam (but im not a theif) I'd think twice before I did it again, and I'd tell my theivin buddies (if i had any) to think twice too. Its a shame that people cant just leave a note on the camera if they want to look at the pics. I have a business card waterproofed in tape I can leave if I wanna talk to the guy with the camera. He can call me back or not, Im not about to steal the thing. I never understood stupidity I guess. A theif is stealin from a guy who frequents the area who owns guns. Stoooopid! Just like when my dads truck got keyed while we were in CASWELLS shooting range. People who go there enter and generaly leave with handguns. Yeah that would work for you, I and about everyone on this site, but we are still the minority. Everyday I get the wonderful oportunity to interact with people who have had their butts thumped for wrong doing hundreds of times before. No change in behavior, heck one guy was even shot TWICE before for trying to get some guys car, and guess what; he was shot again. I like the idea about the business card with your number on it. My only concern is whether the thief will take the card too, or leave it as a scape goat as to who took the cam! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted August 11, 2009 If they want it, they'll get it. This guy didn't want it, he was just pissed. I'm considering posting the video to see if anyone knows who he is...he is most definately a hunter or guide. I don't want to get in trouble for posting it so I probably won't. POST IT - WE GOT YOUR BACK! AzP&Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AzHuntAtty Report post Posted August 11, 2009 Why are you concerned that you would get into trouble for posting the video? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
