Which Trail Cameras Are Best For Your Hunting Property?

Trail Cameras  have never been more popular, and for good reason. Game surveillance gives us an inside look into the habits of the animals we love to chase. While a few amongst us still frown on their purpose — thinking they take away from the natural hunting experience — these units have proved a vital tool for those looking to boost success rates. Not to mention the pure joy they provide. A single game camera promises year-round fun and creates an addiction to monitor and learn more about game animals. So take a glance at the information to come and find a camera or two to add to your hunting arsenal.

Game surveillance guru Stealth Cam has unveiled its new-for-2013 Unit X OPS with ZX7 microprocessor. Much like a Performance Chip to a diesel truck, the ZX7 Processor along with Stealth Cam's exclusive TRIAD Technology boosts trigger speeds, increases battery life and promises ease-of-use. Capable of capturing game with video, still imagery and time lapse, the Unit X OPS makes an ideal in-the-field companion. Ensuring a no-glow effect are the 38 black IR emitters that reach out to 40 feet to capture wildlife activity. The unit also features a Burst Mode that captures 1-9 images per triggering with a 5-59 second or 1-59 minute recovery timeout.

What do you do with a good thing? Well if you're Moultrie, you take that good thing and make it even better. Creating a buzz for 2013 is the Moultrie M-880 Mini Cam. Like its predecessor the M-80XT, this shiny new penny is loaded with features. Showcasing four operational modes including IR triggered game camera, time-lapse plot camera, plot camera by day, motion camera by night and HD video day and night, hunters have plenty of options to choose from. Other attractive features include the redesigned trigger speed (less than one second), Motion Freeze, Fast Fire continuous shooting and multi-shot capability.

A leader in game camera technology and design, Cuddeback gives game monitoring fanatics the Ambush IR. The Ambush IR features Cuddeback's legendary 1/4-second trigger speed and Centered Subject Technology. That's right, no headless deer pictures with this unit. The unit also promises extended battery life and Correctly Exposed IR Technology, which reduces flash washout and ensures consistently even IR illumination. This results in a crisper, clearer image. With delay settings between 5 second and 3 minutes, you can customize image capturing to your liking.

For 2013, Wildgame Innovations brings its CRUSH Cell 8 Trail Camera to the market. This innovative camera, endorsed by Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, is capable of transmitting trail camera images via instant messaging. It is compatible with any GSM provider that uses SIM cards with 3-G speed capabilities. The CRUSH Cell 8 operates with high-intensity IR LEDs and incorporates a user-friendly ICON screen that makes set-up and operation incredibly easy. Other features of the camera include Redux Anti-Blur Technology and Exposure Control System, along with FlexTime+ and Time Lapse Technology with a wide-angle 16:9 aspect option lens.

Bushnell has once again raised the trail-cam bar by taking the performance of its Trophy Cam HD Max to new levels for 2013. Thirty-two low-glow LEDs with a 45-foot range are both invisible to game and other hunters. In addition, the Trophy Cam HD Max sports Field Scan 2X, which gives you two windows of image capture to capitalize on dusk and dawn game movement. Keeping the camera functioning properly regardless of the weather, the Auto PIR regulates camera sensitivity based on temperature. Nighttime images are brighter than ever before thanks to the addition of Hyper Night Vision.

Still creating excitement after its 2012 unveiling, the Storm Trail Camera from Big Game Treestands is loaded with purposeful features. For starters, this thin, low-profile unit showcases deep Bark-Biters and a fully-adjustable strap, allowing you the ability to mount it anywhere. Its lightning quick 1/3-second trigger speed means less blank images and the trigger delay can be set between 10-300 seconds. The full color handheld viewer means you can view photos efficiently while afield. The Storm is capable of shooting both still photos and video. See the attached chart for more information.

Leupold's RCX-2 Trail Camera is dripping with technology and couldn't be simpler to use. The RCX Trail Camera System with USB Controller/Viewer is ready to use right out of the box. This system eliminates guesswork on alignment, watching blinking lights or scrolling through countless mode options. The RCX Controller plugs into the USB jack in the camera to give you complete control of the unit. Not to mention the Dual Sensor Technology and Wider Field of View, which ensures quality images on both moving and still game. Rounding out the features of this seaworthy trail-cam are its ultra-quick trigger speed, silent digital shutter and long battery life. See the attached chart for more information.

Primos has launched yet another game-changer for 2013 — The Truth Cam EL Blackout. With the EL Blackout the worry of disturbing or spooking game has been eliminated. The camera produces zero flash and zero glow thanks to its 60 LEDs and Blackout LED filter technology. Equipped with the Early Detect PIR Sensor, this unit picks up motion earlier, meaning you won't miss that gagger buck. Also sure to be cheered is the 1-second trigger speed, eight month battery life, one year warranty and video mode that records audio. See the attached chart for more information.

While many game camera manufactures have added a time-lapse "plot-watcher" mode, nothing can trump the original. The PlotWatcher Pro from Day 6 Outdoors is a time-lapse video camera that saves video files in half the memory space while using a quarter of the battery power. It allows for time-of-day start and stop, and the included GameFinder video player software with MotionSearch allows you to watch up to 12 hours of video in just a few minutes. The PlotWatcher Pro's Tru-Video can record up to 1 million images, and the images are saved direct to video format.

Covert Scouting Cameras MP6 Black is an invisible flash camera that won't break the bank. Adjustable between 3, 5 and 8 megapixels, the MP6 Black is outfitted with 40 Invisible Flash LEDs that promise post card quality images. Trigger intervals can be set from 1 second up to 60 minutes, and the photo burst mode can be set take between 1 and 3 images at a time. Another great feature of this camera is its 640x480 video resolution.

Well respected in game camera lore, Recoynx continues to impress. Its PC900 HyperFire Professional High Output Covert IR eliminates any trace of a red glow. Capable of running on a single set of batteries for up to one year, you can spend more time looking at images and not replacing batteries. The PC900 HyperFire captures full 1080P High-Definition images at speeds as fast as 2 frames per second to ensure you don't miss a thing. Lastly, the Ultra HD IR camera lens promises images that are ultra-sharp and ultra-clear.

SpyPoint's Tiny-W2 and its wireless backup system allow you to retrieve a remote copy of each photo taken by the camera. Not only does this backup system ensure you have your coveted game photos in the event the main unit gets damaged, but should a thief decide to steal your Tiny-W2, you will have their photo. Three motion sensors boost early detection and the 2.4-inch viewing screen makes looking at images possible while in the field. The Tiny-W2 will send images to the Blackbox receiver from a distance up to 250 feet.

Small, compact and ultra-effective is the Minox DTC 600 game camera with black filter. The black filter sits in front of the powerful IR flash, thus making it invisible to both people and passing game. Providing incredible image quality with high contrast and neutral colors, you will never be wondering how many points a particular buck carries. The short shutter delay of just 1 second extends battery life, keeping the unit functioning for up to 6 months. Adjustable sensitivity levels promise to only capture game and not waving branches or shrubs. The Minox DTC 600 is offered in brown and camo.

You have the information; all that's left to do is head to your nearest retailer and pick up the camera or cameras of your choice. Remember, a quality game camera can lead to a productive season in the fall woods.