Several states are looking at banning them. I can't see the reason behind it but one biologist said it was because they promoted feeding and baiting. I can understand that.

Sometimes the old fashion way is the best way...Something to think about. Go afield hunt come home with or without...

Sounds logical from a biological viewpoint I guess, but I can see this leading to only wildlife officials being able to legally use them, and for the rest of us, tough. I would hate to see another piece of freedom taken away...

I believe the major concern is the use of cameras that will send a picture to a cell-phone or email in real-time. There is concern guides are using this technology to run their clients to a trophy animal because they just got a picture of that animal here or there. I can see that concern, especially on public land.

But first, I want to know if that is a reality. Is this really occurring or is it just a possibility that it is occurring?

Secondly, I don't see the concern for private land.

Although I've never used "real-time" cell-phone/internet/e-mail trail-cams, I've been using trail-cams for over 20 years--since before they were commercially available. I've never--not once--had a trail-cam picture help me kill a deer.

But first, I want to know if that is a reality. Is this really occurring or is it just a possibility that it is occurring?

you can kill em just as well without them,just have to go back to the oldschool!

Several states are looking at banning them. I can't see the reason behind it but one biologist said it was because they promoted feeding and baiting. I can understand that.

How bout just outlaw feeding and baiting?

skynimrods quote was direct from the regs current for the 2010 season.

If you can pin down the location and direction of travel of an animal, you could lay an ambush if you had them patterned pretty well. Its not a guarantee, but could improve the odds of your success.

BSK, are you serious when you say that in 20 years of cam use, you have never had any help in killing a buck(s) from the cams use?

If you can pin down the location and direction of travel of an animal, you could lay an ambush if you had them patterned pretty well. Its not a guarantee, but could improve the odds of your success.

Say you had 15, or 50, a 100 or more, cameras spread out over a given area (15 to 15,000 acres, or even 500,000). What is to keep you, or anyone, from using real time transmission and split screen technology's to constantly monitor the entire area for locating an keeping logs, in real time, on the largest animals for yourself or your clients?

Now trail-cams have DEFINITELY increased my knowledge about deer movement and behavior, and without question that increased knowledge has certainly helped me kill deer.

Exactly and there you have it! When used correctly they will absolutely help you decipher travel routes and confirm usage of them! They are a very helpful tool, especially for those lucky enough to have a place to use them over long periods of time where absolute patterns can be detected!

The Law is only during the General Hunting Season, and is very poorly written. Some believe this could also ban Digital Photo cameras.

"Basically, it is easier to kill a wary old buck in territory he is not as familiar with, and he is most likely to travel through areas he is not as familiar with just before peak breeding. "

And thank goodness for that!

Why not. It's just another unfair advantage. Everyone preaches "woodsmanship woodsmanship woodsmanship", but then turns around and has to rely on a CAMERA to find his deer and keep track of them. How is using a camera in the woods any kind of "woodsmanship"? I'm not really trying to bash anybody it's just one of those things that doesn't make sense to me.

If it were actually possible/commonplace to do that, then fine. I question whether it is possible/commonplace.

BSK- it is real and it is not just MT.

Yea, but if they ban them anywhere, soon it will be everywhere. imo

Darn straight!

Ban 'em out west!

You've got to realize that hunting out west is TOTALLY different than whitetail hunting in the east.

The biggest problem I'm seeing with game cams is actually in NM/AZ over waterholes for elk. Elk are much more predictable than whitetails, and will frequent a waterhole often at similar times of the day just like cattle. Set up a cam, figure out if the bull using the waterhole is big enough to shoot, if it is post up before he gets there and shoot him right on time.

Game cams out west are not being used as management tools like many do in the east. They are used to gain an unfair advantage over the quarry more often than not.

The only thing I use them for is to show me what's in the area,and that helps me to hunt a little harder/stay a little longer.

The only thing I use them for is to show me what's in the area,and that helps me to hunt a little harder/stay a little longer.

Why not. It's just another unfair advantage. Everyone preaches "woodsmanship woodsmanship woodsmanship", but then turns around and has to rely on a CAMERA to find his deer and keep track of them. How is using a camera in the woods any kind of "woodsmanship"? I'm not really trying to bash anybody it's just one of those things that doesn't make sense to me.

Why not. It's just another unfair advantage. Everyone preaches "woodsmanship woodsmanship woodsmanship", but then turns around and has to rely on a CAMERA to find his deer and keep track of them. How is using a camera in the woods any kind of "woodsmanship"? I'm not really trying to bash anybody it's just one of those things that doesn't make sense to me.

EXACTLY, there is absolutely no argument that trail cams definitely offer an advantage over nothing at all. Now how much of an advantage, and how you use the info obtained from them, is totally up to the individual. But to say that they are useless from a hunting standpoint is way off base imo, as they absolutely can provide much information when used. I agree with BSK that they wont automaticaly put you in the right spot to kill every buck you get a pic of, but the info obtained from them is very very useful in many situations. Its the ones using them for the wrong reasons that has likely started their demise. It will be interesting to follow this one and see where it ends up??

Again, it will be interesting to see where this ends up??

Only banned 'during' the season(s) as I read that - run your censes the rest of the year no worries

ferg....

BSK,
Direct paste from the MT regs:

Motion-Tracking Devices and/or
Camera Devices
It is illegal for a person to possess or
use in the field any electronic or camera
device who’s purpose is to scout the
location of game animals or relay the
information on a game animal’s location
or movement during any Commission adopted
hunting season.

BSK,
Direct paste from the MT regs:

Motion-Tracking Devices and/or
Camera Devices
It is illegal for a person to possess or
use in the field any electronic or camera
device who’s purpose is to scout the
location of game animals or relay the
information on a game animal’s location
or movement during any Commission adopted
hunting season.

i guess they think that patterning animals with a game cam gives hunters an unfair advantage.i think its crap.

Somebodys pocket is not getting filled,follow the money,it will lead you to the answer almost every time.