CAMERAS THAT DELIVER
Early-model digital trail cameras were just hitting the market when I was 12, Wisconsin’s then-minimum hunting age. Their trigger speeds were molasses slow. I eventually got one that took five seconds to trigger a photo following motion detection. I didn’t even bother setting it over deer trails. In time, trigger speeds and image resolutions improved while prices came down. Consumer demand steadily increased and eventually the retail market became flooded with high-quality options.
More recently, trail-cam manufacturers began integrating wireless technology into their products. Two years ago I decided to take the plunge and see whether these “remote-scouting” capabilities were all they were cracked up to be. I acquired three Cuddeback wireless cameras and used them during my first-ever Iowa deer hunt. Simply put, the technology and convenience were astounding! I had to put my phone into airplane mode at bedtime. Otherwise, it would keep me awake as pictures came in. In short order, I was addicted.
Although cellular trail cams aren’t a magic bullet for killing bucks, bulls and bears, there’s no doubt that when used in tandem with a solid overall hunting strategy, the information they provide will help you make better decisions. With that, let’s look at this year’s crop of top cell cams.
Editor’s Note: For field-test results that demonstrate the following models’ capabilities in detail, visit gafmag.com.
BROWNING RIDGELINE
Whether you’re trying to peg a big whitetail’s tendencies or monitor personal property 24/7, do it in high) from the Defender Wireless series. The Ridgeline captures 20 MP still images and 1920x1080 high-definition videos complete with audio. Most notable, though, is the Ridgeline’s Dual Carrier Technology: an integrated chipset enables either AT&T or Verizon activation. That’s right, simply select whichever carrier provides the best 4G LTE coverage at your chosen camera location. Further, there are no contracts. Just pay on a month-by-month basis, activating and deactivating as needed. Battery life is astounding, as 16 AA batteries (not included) power the camera. Its top-tier, invisible IR flash keeps the camera discreet to wildlife and trespassers. Receive images and video via text or e-mail, and manage and organize the camera’s data via the Strike Force Wireless app.
