Isnt camera theft legal?

[CUZTAIL]

Not much to pick here TJ. was just reading the stolen cam post and noticed how people say they would do this and that. 1st thing that came to my mind was good luck. no law, only thing else is eye for an eye. ive done the whole vigilanty thing. end result: ruined my hunt & pissed off G&F(yes, when u retaliate, and the person sees he has met his match, apperantly they call G&F, admitt they are wrong, and say "cant we all get along now"). im in the field 1 h e l l of alot. and u know, im still pissed i did that. probably 30+ weekends in the field and i still wish i could have a do over on that, where i typically always keep my cool. whatever, just throwing in my last .02 on this- hope ya all learned, dont be an idiot like me...

[draggingnuts]

so heres what I've learned so far... Stealing my camera = legal but not ethical, me punching someone in the face after I catch them with my stolen camera = ethical but not legal.

 

Haha but as long as they lay there for 48 hours then they are the forest service problem!!! So just punch hard!!

[25-06]

so heres what I've learned so far... Stealing my camera = legal but not ethical, me punching someone in the face after I catch them with my stolen camera = ethical but not legal.

Just whip the tar outa him. Thats the ethacal thing to do...Nowdays seems like ethics rule over laws....

[AZLance]

Guys, just keep hanging them on water holes... I like being able to buy them cheap on ebay...

[Hunterjohnny]

so heres what I've learned so far... Stealing my camera = legal but not ethical, me punching someone in the face after I catch them with my stolen camera = ethical but not legal.

 

Haha but as long as they lay there for 48 hours then they are the forest service problem!!! So just punch hard!!

[luvdemcoues]

So here's my question...

 

When Game & Fish take the cameras, what do they do with them?

[youngbuck]

So here's my question...

 

When Game & Fish take the cameras, what do they do with them?

 

Sell'm to Lance on E-bay.

[Az Hunter]

I had a USFS employee tell me last week that it's illegal to use trail cameras....I said "what do you mean illegal?" and he said if you can't leave anything in the forest for more than 24 hrs! Hmmmmm....it seems we all get different answers from different USFS employees. Seems to depend on the region/district. Some seem more tolerant of trail cams than others.

 

That's exactly right. I do some occasional OHV volunteer work with the Forest Service and have asked the district ranger what the rules are is on trail cameras. Basically they view trail cameras as abandoned property on the Forest and they can confiscate them if they want. Same with ground blinds, and tree stands. The kicker is it all depends on the field officer and if they want to or not. You would think they would have a more defined rule but it depends on the district rangers view on it and the mood of the officer. If they deem your camera is being distracting to the game they can take it. If you hide it good and out of the way there is a chance that's it's left alone. He also told me (off the record of course) they (he) understand the use for them and most times will not touch them prior to hunting seasons like late summer or early fall but if they are out winter or spring they assume they are officially abandoned and bring them in.

THEEEEEEN for fun I asked another district ranger in the same forest and he had a more cocky answer. Basically if it's left alone in the forest it's abandoned property and will be confiscated period, no questions. Totally different answer. SO in conclusion, they are not allowed on Forest Service lands and it completely depends on what the mood is of the particular officer and policy of that district (dozens of districts in each of the particular forests) and if he/she is a hunter and understands them if they take it or not.

 

ALSO if you get a camera "stolen" it's best to call the forest service and ask if they have it. Not sure if they will give it back or not.

 

ALSO this is all Forest Service talk. The AZ game and Fish are the "cops" out there in reality and I have no idea where they stand. I assume it's a lot of the same, depends on the officers mood and your particular camera set up.

 

Hope this helps a little.

[4Falls]

Funny how forest service thinks its important to remove "abandoned" property such as treestands, cameras and blinds but tires, old t.v.s and couches are not as important.

[BowNut]

Funny how forest service thinks its important to remove "abandoned" property such as treestands, cameras and blinds but tires, old t.v.s and couches are not as important.

+1

[CouesWhitetail]

Funny how forest service thinks its important to remove "abandoned" property such as treestands, cameras and blinds but tires, old t.v.s and couches are not as important.

+1

 

 

+1

[BowNut]

Wonder if you left your name address and phone number on it and something saying it is not abandoned if they contact you before or after they mess with "your" property.

[bstpeter]

Saw a camera set up 30 ft from our cam (game trail but not on water Guess he liked our little spot)this weekend didn't have a box, lock and only rope holding it up..I waved as I walked by can't wait to see if the owner gets on here sometime and says.."who took my camera" That thing is just sit'n there waiting for a crook.

[4Falls]

Wonder if you left your name address and phone number on it and something saying it is not abandoned if they contact you before or after they mess with "your" property.

 

 

If you left your name and address they'd probably mail you a citation for littering.

[luvdemcoues]

Wonder if you left your name address and phone number on it and something saying it is not abandoned if they contact you before or after they mess with "your" property.

 

 

If you left your name and address they'd probably mail you a citation for littering.

 

 

Sad... but true.