Montana Bans Trailcam Usage!?

4/7/2010 2:12:16 PM #

holy cow! thats the dumbest thing i ever heard. why would they do that! i totally disgree with Montanas new law. i'm not even sure why they would disapprove of hunters using cameras to scout. what harm does it do? seems like another law that just doesn't make sense to me. Just glad i don't live in Montana. sorry to you folks out there!

Stan |

4/7/2010 2:42:35 PM #

wow! that sucks, I don't see the harm in it either.  With some of those big, old bucks, all we get are pics on our trailcams, and thats the closest we get, I am getting addicted to using trailcams, its fun seeing whats lurking around out there, this is a law I can see Pennsylvania doing!!!

Eric Matz |

4/8/2010 3:57:17 AM #

fairly stupid law, some use it soley for security reasons and to keep an eye out for illegal activity.
i could see the ones that download in real time to show when the animal is there, may give an unfair advantage but that should be personall pref. not law. Typical Gov.

Flatlander |

4/8/2010 4:56:10 AM #

Watch out it may come to your state next. I think it is crazy that they would ban trail camera's even on private land.Just because a animal shows up a couple of times on camera doesn't mean he will when your hunting. BIG GOV. SUCKS

Dan |

4/8/2010 6:00:00 AM #

While I generally don't like over-regulation, I have no issues with this law.

Ryan |

4/8/2010 7:50:08 AM #

sounds like a violation of rights to me.goverment needs to stay out of hunting somebody needs to appeal that decision

bigbuckdown |

4/8/2010 9:17:58 AM #

First and foremost, on private property, the state needs to butt out of the land owners methods of surveying the wildlife that may be on the property.  They already determine how and when that land owner can harvest an animal, when is enough...enough.

Secondly, those who use trail cameras tend to be responsible and ethical stewarts of the resource.  Why the state would discourage a practice that aids a hunter in making the best decisions he or she can that will enable the hunter to efficiently harvest an animal eludes me.  Who knows, maybe they have some grand reasoning for the law...if so I would be interested in hearing it.

BOWSPEC |

4/8/2010 9:27:34 AM #

The only reason I can see the state enacting this law would be to help reduce harvest #s. And the only reason that would happen is if there is game management problems. I know mule deer and elk numbers have declined in Montana in the recent decade. This may because of the new wolf problem. I say to the government; deal with the underlying problems of game management and do not take away a fun way to scout and document your hunt by using trail cams.

Paul |

4/8/2010 10:07:39 AM #

I have NO idea why a state govt. would even get involved with passing such a law. But.. my interpretation of the quoted paragraph is that trailcams cannot be used for scouting... and since I use mine for inventory they can blow me. Word. :)

Mike Willand |

4/8/2010 11:44:38 AM #

The law states that trail cameras can not be used DURING any state adopted hunting season, not before or after the season.  Honestly, how many hunters mess around with cameras during the season?  I hunt during the season.  Cameras are the last thing I waste time with then.

Brad |

4/8/2010 1:36:02 PM #

You we not able to use trail cams during season last year or the year before in MT. This isn't news.

MT hunter |

4/8/2010 2:16:09 PM #

This is what happens when people don't pay attention to what government is doing and that is exactly what PETA, ASPA, HSUS, and other such groups are counting on.  How many of you reading this know whether these groups have lobbyist working to get these type of laws passed in your State Government.  Stop bickering among eachother about baiting, crosbows, and how a person choose to enjoy their time afield.  Stand United as hunters and fisherman, and support your sentators and congressman that support our way of life.

Chad |

4/9/2010 3:06:01 AM #

Stupid law promoted by stupid people. I can think of no reason to ban trailcams. I've used them for years and they have not provided any advantage or anything that merit a ban. The only thing trailcams provide is knowledge of what quality and the amount of anaimals using a certain area. Big game are unpredictable animals and even with cameras they are not readily patternable at least where I hunt.

Scott |

4/9/2010 10:56:07 PM #

I think I know what their intent was but the outcome is typical of what happens anytime a government enity gets involved.  They try to kill a swarm of gnats with a shotgun.  I think the way the law is written, it will be very difficult to enforce.  I hope someone in Montana comes up with some common sense and repeals this stupid and useless law.

Jim Owens |

4/10/2010 6:54:22 AM #

FOOD PLOTS are next!

Paul Horvate |

4/11/2010 3:55:49 AM #

Smartest thing they could have done. Let's bring "fair chase" back in into the picture. If you want to know the quality of the area you hunt and the animals that inhabit it, spend some more time scouting. Typical of too many Americans today, we want to spend less time performing hard work and merely want instant gratification. And always we feel we are entitled to such. We are not. It's a priviledge.

Bo |

4/11/2010 7:01:02 AM #

I agree with you , Bo.  Same thing with food plots.  How are they any different from baiting, which is illegal in my state of Iowa.  The only thing I like about food plots is that they are just that.........food.  Plant them and then don't hunt over them if you really want to be fair!  I have a trail cam, but unlike most other people who use them I do not have a time and date stamp on the images telling me exactly when the animal walked by it.  It is just a fun hobby for me........I do not use it as a scouting tool.  It would make no difference what I saw on it........I still hunt the same days and the same time.

Brad |

4/13/2010 4:37:48 AM #

With all due respect BO, this is an absurd law. I use trailcams and I can tell you about all they do is tell you what is in the area. They cannot tell you when and where a big buck is going to show and if you think that big bucks are that predictable,(even all deer for that matter) maybe it's you that should be spending more time scouting. I live an hours drive from my hunting location and time does not permit me to spend the time needed to scout. Besides, when November rolls around,all
"patterns"???are out the window. This fact is a no-brainer.

Montec |

4/13/2010 7:21:31 AM #

i do think it is stupid to ban cameras. but in all the camera is not what puts the animal on the ground. spend less time complaining and more time scouting.

trevor laufenberg |

4/13/2010 5:39:19 PM #

This is the dumbest thing i have ever heard of, whats the harm in trail cams they are great way to scout a new piece of property and get a glimce at those big nocturnal bucks. Hell it's not like i have ever heard of a cam baggn a deer. STUPID THATS WHATS HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET GOV. MAKE CHOICES FOR YOU !!!!

Carbon Slinger |

4/14/2010 1:23:16 PM #

this is absolutely ridiculous

baller |

4/15/2010 6:16:38 AM #

When game populations are in decline means have to be taken to reduce harvests. This is a means of reducing harvest; pull game cameras from the woods and restrict hunters so that we can feed wolves. That's the thinking behind this legislation!

KodiakArcher |

4/15/2010 6:06:17 PM #

On the other hand, anyone stupid enough to propose such a law would be too stupid to find a
trailcam in the woods. Funny thing also, gov't has us all under surveillence at every move we make????

Montec |

4/20/2010 9:42:42 PM #

Just another anti-hunting tactic by the pols.  Those of you who hunt Montana should find out which politicians voted for this and remove them from office at the next election.  If it was the dept of wildlife then some serious protests to who ever appoint the head of the dept are in order.

Wes |

4/21/2010 6:33:23 PM #

"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"

LOOPHOLE: "To watch for trespassers" ?????????????????????

Patrick Englum englum_06 |