Saw some of your cams recently... Don't worry I didn't trash or steal them, but don't bother checking them, there wasn't anything good on them
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Poll: do you check strangers cameras on public land?
- Thread starter Jammintree
- Start date
you're continuing to label my opinion as ethically challenged even though the difference in state laws was a key point of my response, so nevermind.
No, I drive the speed limit in the right lane. I wouldn't want to get in your way when you are on the way to check your illegally placed trail camera while exceeding the speed limit!
Ethics and moral are always debatable. Which I think its their point. That as a society we are always changing what is 'currently' acceptable. And honestly I'm glad this group of misfits can have a lively debate without taking it too far (or realized it and dial it back before it thread get closed). Heck, what was acceptable 20 years ago might not be today.
I'm preaching 2 points. Do on to other as you want to be done to you, and illegal/out of bound acts remove that person from the protection they have under the community. So for me, I'm ok with trail camera on public land and will give you the respect of not touching it as a fellow hunter, but the line in the sand is baiting (or other clearly illegal acts). Not saying that illegal acts should be DONE to them, but they should not expect protection while breaking the law. Is this a one side fit all? No, and honestly there are gray area and situational awareness in every case. Every state is different, so not trying to sound like I'm lawyering up. But I would not go out of my way to break the law to punish someone else's law breaking. So if a state allow for 'permanent' cameras over bait, ok, I'm moving on and wish them the best of luck. But if a state saying no baiting, I will remove/hinder the camera because I do not believe that the owner should be allowed to profit from his illegal act. Because we agree to be a part of the community and follow set rules, even if you do not agree with the rules.
@thedutchtouch should not need to justify or defend his own morals. I'm down with tree stand hunting in the summer as a side quest during actual scouting, but I dont have the time to spare for just junk hunting. Would be fun to see how many a frame backpack can hold at one time.
I'm preaching 2 points. Do on to other as you want to be done to you, and illegal/out of bound acts remove that person from the protection they have under the community. So for me, I'm ok with trail camera on public land and will give you the respect of not touching it as a fellow hunter, but the line in the sand is baiting (or other clearly illegal acts). Not saying that illegal acts should be DONE to them, but they should not expect protection while breaking the law. Is this a one side fit all? No, and honestly there are gray area and situational awareness in every case. Every state is different, so not trying to sound like I'm lawyering up. But I would not go out of my way to break the law to punish someone else's law breaking. So if a state allow for 'permanent' cameras over bait, ok, I'm moving on and wish them the best of luck. But if a state saying no baiting, I will remove/hinder the camera because I do not believe that the owner should be allowed to profit from his illegal act. Because we agree to be a part of the community and follow set rules, even if you do not agree with the rules.
@thedutchtouch should not need to justify or defend his own morals. I'm down with tree stand hunting in the summer as a side quest during actual scouting, but I dont have the time to spare for just junk hunting. Would be fun to see how many a frame backpack can hold at one time.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2021
- Messages
- 2,164
I’m so grateful for our “lively debates.” I think our nation would be a better place if we could do this with all manner of topics. I’ve certainly learned a lot about this topic and am rethinking my own beliefs and approaches.
I’ve been digging around legal code for numerous states, to see more clearly what the law says. It’s damn confusing and hard to find clear answers easily. However, I’m continually surprised by what I find, there’s alot of nuance that might surprise all of us.
Agreed and I'm just as much a "poke the bear because my opinion is right" guy as a seeking education guy too lol. I try to not get hotheaded but it's a struggle sometimes. Getting back to game cameras, I'm realizing that I need to carry a card reader more. Not to check other people's, but I bet there's a lot more photos on my cameras that just the ones that come through on the spypoint free plan, and I don't check my OWN cards often enough.
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2022
- Messages
- 306
Where is the rule that you can’t leave them up overnight? Hunting rules only mention that in the setting WPA and WMAs, same reason you can’t leave stands up overnight there either. But other state/county land doesn’t seem to have a rule against them.
Page 31, 101, 113 (quick scan, didn't read in detail)
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2022
- Messages
- 306
31 doesn’t talk about cameras. Basically no unattended devices for killing animals (ie calls, drones, etc). Doesn’t appear to be talking about camera.
101 is about WMAs. Don’t leave anything including stands overnight on those.
113 says if property is left on state land for >14 days unattended it’s considered abandoned. So check your cameras every couple weeks and it’s not abandoned.
Page 31 says "Unattended electronic devices may not be used for taking wild animals". I contacted the game warden in my area for his interpretation on this and he said trail cameras are an electronic device. I agree it is not clear but it is clear enough for me not to chance it.
The bottom of page 101 specifically says trail cameras can't be left on a WMA.
Page 113 says all personal property needs to be removed. Later it says any personal property left unattended for 14 days is considered abandoned. I agree this is a gray area. I only hunt WMAs and federal lands so that is what my previous post was referring to but if you go back to page 31 and the game wardens opinion, I wouldn't use a camera on State Forest land but I wouldn't call a game warden about one placed there either. It is not clear.
Page 119 specifically prohibits cameras on public federal lands in Minnesota.
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2022
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- 306
Page 119 is federal WPAs, not federal land in general. Vanishingly few federal WPAs up north here, it’s basically all just federal forest.
Page 120 is about federal forests says you can’t abandon private property on federal forest land, but it’s in the same bullets as you have to remove stands at the end of season.
The game warden you talked to sounds like an LEO making up rules. It explicitly mentions cameras in the rules, there is no reason to think the DNR would have chosen to be vague in just that section.
Page 119 also talks about National Wildlife Refuges open to hunting. There is one of those near me that I frequently hunt on. i was wrong in stating all Federal lands.
I don't disagree about the LEO I contacted but that is the LEO that could end up giving me a citation so I wanted his interpretation. While I believe I could probably win if I fought a citation like that, it would certainly cost me time and money to do so. It just isn't worth it to me.
I never said I agree that the game laws and rules in Minnesota are clear or that I agree with them. There are actually different rules for WMAs depending on what part of the state you are in. It has gotten very confusing. I simply do my best to operate within the rules as written. It isn't always easy as many things are confusing. If we want to talk about confusing, start looking at the rules regarding stream trout fishing in SE Minnesota! That is really getting off topic though.
ofor
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2019
- Messages
- 1,072
I just keep walking by when I see one. Had one of my cell cams stolen last weekend. They climbed the tree and cut the cable lock. Stole the camera and left the cable lock laying on the ground at the base of the tree. Not only a thief but left the trash behind too. Some people just suck. Now, any new cam I purchase will have a gps tracker feature.
Yeah. I had 2 of my cams stolen last year. 1 was a cheap one that I had used for a couple of years but the other one was a brand new cell cam. People do suck sometimes. I'm switching to a different brand of cell cam so I can use the gps feature in the new ones if it happens again.