Camtrapper

Posted this on Hags as well. Thought I'd post it here. Maybe the more I let it out the better I'll feel. Went down to the land today after laying off for about 3 weeks to change out batteries and cards. Only had 5 cams out, 2 P32's, 1 S40, 1 S600, and 1 P41. The P41 is gone. It's one I just built a couple months ago. You guys might remember when I was playing with the 3D camo and did 2 at the same time but got them too dark but finally lightened them up to where they looked good. It was a P41/BF/HPWA in a 1425 and was pythoned to the tree. It was on private property and probably 100 yards inside the property lines on my side of a big ravine/creek. I got a lot of nice pics from the others, and will post a few when I get over the PO'ed/wanna shoot somebody/disheartened/sick to my stomach phase. Just had to vent a little.

That really sucks. Although never lost a cam, I feel your pain.

Did they cut the python or the tree? Are the culprits on any or your other cams? So sorry to hear about this.

Sean it was just like the others, had a 5/16" python. Very few marks on the tree, maybe only the ones I made adjusting it. The first time I put it out I actually climbed down the ravine, waded across the creek with the cam, a bag of corn, and the python to set it on the other side as the property goes 75 - 100 yards on the other side. I felt a little uneasy so this last time I went and got it and set it on the side easier for me. There are no homes within a 1/4 of a mile, and it was at least 100 to 150 yards from the other farmers cow crossing. I know the farmer back there, as he and my buddies land I hunt use each others pasture. They have a barb wired cattle lane running down the edge of their 2 properties and run cows back and forth using each others pasture. The only other property that adjoins recently went up for sale, but is owned by a policeman and his family, and is probably 200 acres behind a church. The cam was close to where the 3 properties meet. I've never had an issue during deer season, but know of several instances by others during turkey season, which ended today here. Seems the turkey hunters around here pay very little attention to property lines for some reason, and the back edge of this property is clearly marked with blue paint rings around trees marked by the gas company several years ago when they were doing some surveying to run gas lines. I just don't get it. I had really gotten a deal on this P41. Got it off craigslist locally for $25 and was tickled to have $100 or less in a top of the line cam.

Sorry to hear of your loss. Theres nothing lower in life than a theif

Thanks Ken. You guys know how these cams are, after you finish one they become like one of your children LOL!

That really sucks. I had 2 cams and a DXG taken last year and they were really in the middle of nowhere. Now all my cams have pretty heavy duty security brackets, which is a drag cause they weigh twice what the cams weigh.

Most people carry pocket knives, and with a good sized rock, they can chop through the python pretty quick. My hope is they don't pack a hacksaw/boltcutter/chainsaw hiking the woods, as that's what it would take. Obviously if they have time they could always come back with the tools needed.

You might want to consider making up a dummy cam, then use a ladder to put up a real cam to high for them to reach. You might just catch them ripping off another "cam".......Scott

Ugh, I know the feeling. I received a Scoutguard 550 last spring as a graduation gift, Last week went to check my camera - in a camlock box with a python...everything gone. Some marks on the back of the tree like they pounded the cable with something. Apparently one of the landowner's farm workers kicked some trespassers off....It'sj ust a sick feeling and I hate it because mym om got me that cam so it's as much her loss as mine...It really does suck and there's not much to do except I try to think God knows and He'll deal with them appropriately.

I do know I don't trust the Python anymore...

Turkeygirl! Glad to see you made it over here as well. You'll find a wealth of knowledge and very knowledgeable, helpful people here. You're gonna love homebrews. I was warned, so I'm passing it on to you. This is addicting, be careful LOL!

To late. Soon as you start thinking about a homebrew your hooked