It’s exciting to hang trail cameras near stand locations to see what’s roaming around and when. While most folks automatically think whitetails when the topic of trail cameras arises, hunters simply cannot ignore the fact that trail cameras have become a useful scouting tool for all big game species.
Regardless of whether your search is for a trophy whitetail in the Midwest or in the Rocky Mountains for a bomber bull elk, hanging a camera or two is a wise scouting decision. That said, selecting the right camera for your specific purposes could be a daunting task.
To help you research and compare both brands and models, I’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best trail cameras (alphabetical order below) with features to meet every bowhunter’s needs. Let’s take a look.
BROWNING
When scouting for mature boars, bucks or bulls, reliable performance is irreplaceable, and Browning Trail Cameras’ Dark Ops Apex ($159.99) — part of the Sub Micro Series — brings it. For starters, it boasts a .22-second trigger speed with an unbelievable .6-second recovery time. Users can expect to study images in impeccable detail, thanks to 18-MP resolution. Innovative 1600x900 HD+ video raises the bar, and extended nighttime video lengths of up to 20 seconds advance the scouting experience. With six AA batteries, the Dark Ops Apex can capture more than 10,000 images, reducing obtrusive visits to the camera location. Zero Blur Image Capture Technology and Illuma-Smart Technology, which adjusts the infrared-flash intensity, combine to improve night-image quality.
CONTACT: www.browningtrailcameras.com
BUSHNELL
Dual image sensors — one for daytime and one for nighttime — ensure Bushnell’s Core DS ($119.99, low glow; $219.99, no glow) captures optimal images and video around the clock. Miss nothing with its rocket-fast .2-second trigger speed and .6-second recovery time. Capture stunning 1080p video clips complete with audio. Forget dead batteries; the Core DS has a 1-year battery life. The integrated color LCD provides fast field review of data. Stunning image quality is the product of 30-MP resolution, and a 2-year limited warranty sweetens the purchase. The rugged, waterproof shell is finished in Treebark Camo, making the unit inconspicuous to both game and thieves.
CONTACT: www.bushnell.com
COVERT
The Covert name is synonymous with high quality and dependability. All the rage in trail camera technology centers around wireless-equipped models that provide instantaneous feedback as data is captured. And while Covert’s Blackhawk LTE and Code Black LTE are heavy hitters in this category, consumers demanded a more economically priced option. Covert answered with the $130-cheaper E-1 LTE ($309.99) wireless camera. AT&T- and Verizon-certified options meet coverage needs across the map. Trigger speed is .4 seconds, while 44 no-glow LED’s provide a generous night range of 100 feet. Still-image resolution is 18 MP, and videos are captured in 1080p HD. MaXimum Silence Image Capture manages camera noise to avoid spooking game. A 45-degree field-of-view makes images easy to review. Images can be viewed at the user’s convenience via the Covert Wireless app.
CONTACT: www.covertscoutingcameras.com
CUDDEBACK
Landowners and property managers will love the ability to connect up to 16 of Cuddeback’s CuddeLink Power House IR Cell ($500) cameras on just one cell service plan. This saves users hard-earned cash, but equally notable is that only one camera on the circuit is a dedicated “home” camera. From that camera, you can grab and review images captured by the remaining 15 cameras; there’s no need to visit each one and impose human disturbance in key areas of the property. The Power House Module features 56 high-powered LEDs, improving range and reducing blur. The results are well-lit nighttime images. A .25-second capture speed ensures you miss nothing. Verizon LTE service provides outstanding coverage, and 20-MP image resolution produces high-quality, crystal-clear images.
CONTACT: www.cuddeback.com
HAWK HUNTING
Loaded with features is Hawk Hunting’s Ghost Cam HD 16 Black ($119.99). The IP67 Waterproof micro-sized case shields from the punishing elements, and Hawk Sync control provides smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth to check camera status and capture a test photo for peace of mind. Improved night-image quality is the product of Xfinity Infrared LED Illumination. The No Glow LEDs deliver a flash range that extends a full 10 feet beyond the camera’s 70-foot detection range. Trigger speed is .6 second for still images and 1 second for videos. Its 1280x720 HD video gathers vivid detail combined with sound for the full effect. Four AA batteries power the Ghost Cam HD 16, and Hawk Chaos AE camo blends the camera into its natural surroundings. With 16-MP resolution and a 2-year warranty, what’s not to love about this affordable, high-performance trail camera?
CONTACT: www.hawkhunting.com
MOULTRIE
Moultrie’s A-Series is feature-packed, yet budget friendly. The lineup: A700i ($109.99), A700 ($99.99), A300i ($89.99) and A300 ($79.99). All models record HD video and are compatible with Moultrie Mobile’s new MA2 and MV2 Cellular Field Modems. The A770i and A700 include 14-MP resolution and .7-second capture speeds. The A300i and A300 deliver 12-MP resolution and .9-second trigger speeds. All four models boast 17,000-image battery lives and infrared-flash technology with a 60-foot detection range. A 2-year warranty sweetens the deal. For budget-conscious customers hunting for big value, Moultrie’s ultra-affordable A-Series scouting cameras are worth a second look.
CONTACT: www.moultriefeeders.com
PRIMOS
Hunters can expect clarity in 16-MP images and 1080p HD videos complete with audio recording from Primos Hunting’s Auto Pilot No Glow ($129.99). The camera boasts a 100-foot detection, even at night, the product of 60 No Glow LEDs. Auto Exposure intuitively adjusts for varied lighting, thus eliminating whitewashed images and providing impeccable detail. Quick on the gun, the Auto Pilot features a rapid, .3-second capture speed. The Auto Pilot No Glow practically disappears from the human eye when hung against tree bark, thanks to Mossy Oak Bottomland camo. The camera gets its name from its incredibly user-friendly interface. Simply hang the camera, flip a few switches and you’re off to the races.
CONTACT: www.primoshunting.com
RECONYX
Reconyx has been producing reliable trail cameras since 2002, and the HyperFire 2 ($399.99) epitomizes the company objectives. In fact, Reconyx is so sure it’s the company’s best camera yet, that it’s backing the HyperFire 2 with a 5-year warranty. A fast-firing .25-second trigger speed combined with ultra-reliable motion sensing means you won’t miss subjects filing by the camera. A No-Glow GEN3 HO Infrared flash stretches the playing field to an incredible 150 feet! BuckView software is included. The date, time, temperature and moon phase info is stamped on each photo for fast comparison. Get this: 12 AA Lithium or NIMH batteries power the unit for up to 2 years or 40,000 images. Vivid detail is the product of 1080p wide-screen resolution; you can capture video in 3-MP standard aspect ratio as well.
CONTACT: www.reconyx.com
SPARTAN CAMERA
Spartan Camera’s GoCam Model GC-W4Gb ($409.95) features the market’s most advanced wireless/cellular-camera technology. It is a self-contained, fully portable scouting or security solution designed for both hunting and property surveillance. It requires no outside connection other than a cellular signal. The Spartan GoCam will capture images with either a PIR motion sensor or time-lapse function. It then transmits the files directly to a smartphone or web portal. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
CONTACT: www.spartancamera.com
SPYPOINT
Spypoint needs no introduction, and its Link-Dark Cellular ($349.99) trail camera promises to be a hit this year. It includes a pre-activated SIM card and offers the market’s simplest cellular activation — Spypoint handles everything. The Link-Dark features an 80-foot flash range, and as the name suggests, the infrared LEDs are invisible. A large 2-inch viewing screen simplifies camera set-up and image review, but with cellular connectivity, you won’t need to visit the camera location to view data — view it on the go 24/7 via the free SPYPOINT LINK app. Record HD videos with sound, or capture brilliant, high-res photos at 12 MB. Blur Reduction and IR-Boost technologies deliver crisp, clear images both day and night. Add to that a .07-second trigger speed, and you have an outstanding scouting tool.
CONTACT: www.spypoint.com
STEALTH CAM
Stealth Cam breaks ground with what it’s dubbing “the world’s first 4K digital trail camera.” The all-new DS4K ($299.99) produces stunning 4K Ultra-HD video and brilliant 30-MP still images. A 100-foot flash range lengthens the playing field without tipping off subjects to the camera’s whereabouts — the infrared LEDs use inconspicuous No Glo technology. A .4-second trigger speed via Reflex Trigger is designed to capture subjects in the center of images for optimal review. The DS4K is armed with dual image sensors for crisper night images and lifelike color on daytime images. A 16:9 image ratio expands the camera’s field-of-view, and Matrix Advanced Blur Reduction ensures focused images so you can easily ID target animals. A special hybrid mode captures both video and stills, and GEO-TAG GPS tagging capability rounds out this impressive, groundbreaking camera.
CONTACT: www.stealthcam.com
WILDGAME INNOVATIONS
The minute size of Wildgame Innovations’ Shadow Micro Cam ($99.99) and its sub-half-second trigger speed are just two reasons why hunters will love it. Infrared illumination via 36 high-intensity LEDs reaches 80 feet. Video resolution provides great detail at 720p. Still images are captured at 16-MP resolution. TruBark HD camo hides the camera well against tree bark. Regular (4:3) and wide-angle (16:9) aspect ratios give the user versatility, and the backlit LCD display screen is easily referenced in even low-light conditions. A magnetic ball-mounting bracket allows precise camera leveling/placement. Four AA batteries (not included) power the Shadow Micro Cam for up to 6 months. Time, date, location and moon phase all appear at the bottom of each photo so hunters can peg their target animal’s tendencies.
CONTACT: www.wildgameinnovations.com
