Setting up a camera

While participating in this project, you will be setting your wildlife camera up outside using a standard protocol. It is crucial that everyone sets their cameras up in the same way so that we can compare data between projects and learn about wildlife across large areas. If you fail to set your camera up correctly, we will reject your data from the eMammal database. Below are some guidelines for setting up your camera.

 

Time Frame:
Leave your camera out for 3 weeks at a time. The unique location and time period that you set your camera up for is called a Deployment and is assigned a unique Deployment ID.

It is vital that the camera is set out within 2 days of picking it up and then returned within 2 days of being retrieved. You must return your cameras on time so that the next person has enough time to complete their deployment.

 

Location:

You are to place your camera on your own private property, provided that it is a suitable camera location. This means it is large enough to be away from any buildings or homes, can face away from any roads or trails, and is not fenced in such a way that the movement of wildlife is prohibited.

You must avoid placing the camera near any bird feeders or other food sources. Also keep it away from high human traffic areas so we spend more time taking photos of wildlife than people or cars.

If you do not have a suitable camera trap area, you may ‘borrow’ someone else’s private property. To do so, you must gain their written permission by filling out the Land Use Agreement Form. By signing this form, they give you their consent to place a camera on their property for 3 weeks. During this time, they must not move or otherwise disturb the camera and you must not damage their property.

 

Camera Placement:
Here are some basic setup details:

  1. Cameras should be set at KNEE HEIGHT (about 2 feet from the ground).
  2. Avoid high traffic areas like roads or other high human/vehicle use areas, including the high traffic areas of your yard.
  3. The chosen tree should be straight and at least 8” in diameter.
  4. Avoid steep slopes and extremely thick vegetation. Any light vegetation directly in front of the camera should be removed to avoid excessive camera triggers.
  5. Make sure you are securing the camera to a sturdy tree so it is difficult to steal.
  6. Cameras should be pointing parallel with the ground, use sticks to "shim" behind the camera to make it parallel.
  7. Cameras should be pointing across a slope, not up or down it

*Clean your hands well of any food debris before setting your camera. Bears can

be attracted to food smells on the cameras and may cause damage to the device.

An optimal detection distance in an open area is 10-13m. If your distance is less than this and there is no vegetation blocking the camera, you should better angle the camera with a shim as shown in the photo.

Camera trap with a shim behind it to angle it better

 

What's next?

After setting your camera, remember to do the following:

  1. Verify the date/time on the camera are correct (be aware of daylight savings time)
    1. If it needs to be changed, go to Change Setup -> Advanced -> Date/Time/Temp
  2. Verify the batteries have at least 60% remaining, if less than 60% please change the batteries
  3. Make sure you erase the SD card.
  4. Record the Detection Distance (you will get this from the Walk Test)
  5. Arm your camera
  6. Remember to take the key with you!
  7. Record the GPS coordinates
  8. Fill out the rest of your deployment datasheet (we will provide you with this sheet).

 

How to get GPS Coordinates:

You will need to record the latitude and longitude location of your deployment.  You can use an online mapping service to get this, such as itouchmap.com. Zoom in as far as possible. The format MUST be in decimal degrees:

https://emammal.si.edu/system/files/styles/panopoly_image_original/private/screen_shot_2018-03-09_at_1.50.12_pm.png?itok=FEt7aWlG

*Note that the longitude is negative, if you forget the negative sign your points will appear to be in Asia.


Please carefully watch this video to learn how to set your cameras properly for this project.

 

Camera Settings:

No matter what brand of camera you will be using, we would like them programmed in the following way:

  1. Still picture mode NOT video mode
  2. Set to take as many pictures as possible each trigger
  3. Trigger sensitivity set to HIGH
  4. Infrared flash power set to LOW
  5. Date/Time Stamp ON (will appear on the photo)
  6. Make sure the date/time are accurate (be aware of daylight savings time)
     

Note: NEVER mix alkaline and rechargeable batteries! This can damage the camera.
 

If you are borrowing a camera, please watch this video to learn how to use your camera. 



    Back to Course