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Trail Camera Detection Range
Taking into consideration the trail camera detection range in certain locations is critical to getting good quality pictures.
What I mean by that, is to look at all the factors that may affect the PIR sensor being triggered and limiting its chance of a “false trigger” inside the detection range of the trail camera.
Trail cameras have developed and improved greatly in the last 5 years. Most trail cameras on the market today will give decent results, if you set the camera up correctly in the environment your aiming to take pictures.
In most cases, when I hear or read about people not happy with their trail camera results, I put it down to the camera being poorly set up.
Even a budget trail camera will provide decent scouting information of whitetails when you follow these detection range tips outlined below.
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Trail Camera Motion Sensor Range
The motion sensor range of a trail camera is affected by a number of factors. The PIR (passive infrared) sensor triggers when it picks up motion and temperature changes.
The sensor is designed to detect these small differences between the background environment and a moving object within the detection zone. In doing so, it will trigger the camera, taking either a picture or video.
Clear vegetation to stop false triggers
It’s not only animals moving that will trigger the PIR. Vegetation will also act as a moving target.
So it’s best to have a small knife to clear unwanted grasses and foliage directly in front of the camera, up to around 5 to 10 yards away. This will give the camera a clear line of sight of a trail head or food plot.
Try and avoid low hanging branches close to the PIR sensor. Set the camera around 3 feet up from the ground with camera pointing down at angle of 25 degrees from the tree trunk.
Use small sticks to wedge behind the camera when using a tree strap to achieve a desirable angle.
Test pictures to ensure clear detection zone
Take some test pictures and view the pictures on an LCD screen if the camera has one, or better still, use a trail camera with wireless connectivity to see what the camera lens is aiming at using a mobile phone app.
Trail Camera Height for Deer
Trail Camera Location Tips
The location you choose to position the camera is critical to how you set the trail camera up.
Follow these guidelines and you will capture the best pictures from your game camera.
Food plots tend to need a wide detection zone to cover all activity. Ideally use a camera that has a wide detection angle, some even detect within 120 degrees. Alternately use several cameras to cover the area if possible.
Trail Camera Height
Place the camera higher than you would next to a trail head. Higher the better, say around 10 feet if you have access to it. Time lapse is also a great setting to use for covering food plots.
Trails are where you going to encounter deer moving quickly. In most cases they will be heading between food sources and bedding areas.
A trail camera with a fast trigger speed is ideal in this location, the faster the better, to avoid the dreaded “tail end” pictures.
Trail Camera Positioning
I’ve touched upon this earlier. In most cases setting the camera at angle pointing down at around 15 degrees, 30 – 48 inches off the ground should give desired results.
If your camera has a tripod mount on the underside, using something like a stealth ball mount will make it easier to set at a suitable angle.
One of the biggest mistakes folks new to trail cameras make is the direction in which they point the camera.
Always try and point the camera North. This will ensure the sun will never move across the face of the camera lens, giving “false triggers” and over bright pictures from the sun’s glare.
Trail Camera Detection Angle
The detection zone is in the form of a cone shape. Close to the PIR, the zones width is as little as 5 feet. Set the camera back from a trail, at an angle of about 45 degrees from the trail so the deer move through the zone to get the best results.
Adjustable PIR Sensor
Some cameras offer adjustability of the PIR sensor. In summer time, high temperatures may affect the PIR’s ability to detect heat from an animal.
Check to see if your trail camera has the ability to adjust the heat sensitivity and set according to the ambient temperature.
If this is the case, set the cameras PIR sensor to high, this reduces the camera’s sensitivity to heat, not increasing the sensitivity of the sensor as some people may think.
Summer temperatures above 90 degrees can be a tough time for trail cameras and you may have to rely solely on motion detection in extreme cases.
Trail Camera Batteries for Maximum Detection Range
Batteries are the lifeblood of a trail camera. I always recommend lithium batteries as they give a constant voltage output. When they’re flat, that’s it, the camera will cease to operate.
They also have no problems in cold temperatures. Alkaline are fine in the summer as a cheaper alternative, but they slowly drain over a period of time so the detection circuit will become less effective.
Final Thoughts on Detection Range
I hope you’ve found this quick guide to trail camera detection useful. It’s aim is to get you up and running quickly with all the essential basics covered.
Follow these 5 trail camera tips and you’ll have quality pictures in no time. Good luck out there, and happy hunting!
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