What do you use to secure your cameras against theft? I have been looking at both comercially available units as well as making my own. I just use a python cable and a padlock now but with the addition of the new appolo buckeye cam I am looking to upgrade my protection. Just wondering what other people are doing.

Dan

I shouldn't admit it, now something will happen to my camera's but I haven't been using any security measures. Just placing the camera's deep within my own private property.

I never place them out in the open like on a power line opening or green field where they can be seen and taken. I generally use the woods or old logging roads.

I bought a Lock Box for my i40 Trail Camera. I worry more about critter chewing on the camera than I do worry about a thief on my property. They got into my deer feeder spinner some time back so I hope this box will keep them at bay!

I never used to worry either but last year we had a couple kids sneaking on somewhere with there 4 wheelers and chasing the deer and tearing up the property. So I am having a few more concerns about theives.

The Lock boxes we have for the Moultrie cameras (not the Moultrie lockbox) are very impressive. We can see about getting them for a Buckeye. I still think the best way is to mount it higher up in the tree above eye level and angle down. "Out of site out of mind". You can lock it up high as well. With the laser aiming on most cameras, it's easier to aim and mount this way.

Nice if you had recommended cable and lock to sell along side the box IMHO

I am speaking from experience when I say the cable is not enough. I built my own security box and the way I designed it coupled with the type of lock I choose...the only way to open it was with a torch. The weak link in the system was the cable. I was using a 1/2" steel cable and they chopped through it with an axe. Granted from the looks off the tree it took several hits to finally cut through...but they did and off went my I-40 and custom built box.

I think the best method is to use two 1/2" or larger diameter lag bolts at least 6" long and screw the box to the tree from the inside.

I ordered a new I-40 from HuntBuzz and plan to build another box like my first one....only this time I will use lag bolts to fasten it to the tree. The non-Moultrie boxes that they sell here on HuntBuzz are some of the best that I have seen for a commercially made box. I enjoy welding, so I choose to build my own.


Here are pictures of my original box that was stolen because I only used a cable to secure it.

Here are most of the parts cut out and ready for assembly




Here is the standoffs that touch the tree and the spacer that fits up to the tripod mounting hole



Here is the adjusting bracket for the top of the box for the all thread that will go to the tree



Here is the finished box from the front



Here is the finished box from the side



Here is the finished box from the back



Here is the spacer inside the box for the tripod mounting screw



Here is the finished box withe the camera mounted in it



Here is the camera mounted in the box with the camera face open



Here is the final locked up camera




Here is box after I painted it and put it in the woods

Very nice! You should like up with Rich and get these into a production line. I like the shade/rain deflector on front. I got my box from Rich and it looks awesome too. I think I will see if there is a spare hole in the back and take up your suggestion to screw it into a tree with a lag bolt. I am a bit fortunate I am on my own land and last time I had a trespasser I caught him and he got busted by the game commission. That has been years ago so I have been fortunate but I also am likely in a minority on that sad to say the way some folks are in the world these days. Nothing is perfect if they want to just be vandals they could just poke at the openings. But then, I'd have that safely recorded on my 2 Gig SD card

Flintlock1776 wrote:

QUOTE:
Very nice! You should like up with Rich and get these into a production line. I like the shade/rain deflector on front.

Thanks for the comments on my box design. Everyone that has seen it has really liked it. I could probably sell as many as I could build. My goal was to have a box that I could aim the camera easy and be able to take the camera out and swap memory cards or batteries and then reinstall the camera without messing up the aim. I did that, just should have went one step further with the lag bolts. I hunt on a gated lease that stays locked, and have never had anything stolen in the 7 years I have been a member. I leave climbing stands on trees all year long unlocked with no problems. This is the first time I have had an issue. Oh well, live and learn. I know how to fix it so it can't be taken in the future.

Here are some other tips that I have read that could also help.

1. Put a sticker on your camera/security box that says "Can you see my 2nd camera, because it see's you".

2. Get a army ammo can and cut some hole in the front to make it look like a camera box. Hang it out of reach in a tree aiming at your primary camera. Put it where it can be easily seen so any would be theif will think it is a camera (one he can't reach) and will walk away.

Fake camera? You are evil...........like me