AZMIGHTYMULIES
Active Member
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Due to myself furthering my career towards Wildlife Biology/Science , Dixie State University has yet to offer certain Academic Courses of study of my interest . So I have been contacting and meeting several different people from Logan Utah to Northern Arizona University, current Biologist's , conservationist and environmentalists , even here at the local BLM Agency . Throughout my conversations , the Trail Camera topic arose , just because I utilize them often . One thing for certain I've learned , Environmentalist literally oppose the use of Trail Cameras unless they are used for research purposes and a # of Agency's (BLM, USFS , NPS, USGS) , certain personnel are and have been pressuring the AZG&FD to Ban Trail Cameras permanently . Apparently there already is a law that you cannot have a Trail Camera w/n 100' of any water source. However the AZG&FD for the most part refuses to enforce this Law . But beware, the Environmentalist among different agencies have been taking Trail Cameras. Areas of special interest/attention are areas that are designated Wilderness Areas and Monuments . Concerns that I have heard from different sources including AZG&FD. Concern 1: VRM ( Visual Resource Management act ) . There are different levels pertaining to this 1 through 4 , 1 being strict and High Priority , 4 being lenient . VRM'S 1 and 2 are generally areas which are w/n the boundaries of Wilderness Areas and or Monuments . There are many man made water resources w/n these areas that State Wildlife Resources have developed even well prior to these Wilderness Areas/Monuments were designated and due to strict regulations the state agencies are even considering the removal of some of these Wildlife Water Catchments that are so crucial to the survival of all Wildlife that inhabit these areas , because many trails/roads are closed and no longer accessible to these Water Catchments for annual maintenance or repairs. Anyway's what I'm saying here is these areas are very well looked over by some Environmentalist w/n these Agencies and they will take your Cameras if they want to. Second concern : seeing 15 cameras on 1 water source . These people have been watching and documenting these activities . There are several complaints of Guide Services using 150, 200, 300 cameras , some DIY Hunters complaining the excessive use of cameras , there have been threats and fist fights over areas of use of Cameras , therefore entitlement issues , and many reports of littering , leaving batteries on the ground contaminating ground , throwing batteries into the water troughs etc . Reports of Guides leaving Cameras in place all year long , some busted up on the ground due to cattle and even wildlife . Some believe some Guides have so many Trail Cameras being in use at any given time that results to them being lazy to the point of not even bothering to retrieve them . This I do know is going on in Arizona and Utah as for the regulations and concerns is concerned .
I understand this is a heated topic , some people like using Trail Cameras and some Hunters despise the Trail Cameras . Either way , we as Sportsman need to come to a happy medium on this topic and regardless of your opinion , no matter who you are I'll respect your opinion .
I myself enjoy utilizing my Trail Cameras and I'll use most the time about 18 cameras on average in the field . But honestly , I do understand a lot of the concerns some people have regarding the use of Trail Cameras . Seeing 15 Cameras on 1 Water trough ... I laugh every time when I see 8 to 13 Cameras on 1 water trough , and it does make the area look tacky or ugly . I can only imagine what an avid environmentalist thinks when they see that, they likely about have a heart attach . lol
But seriously , if we as sportsman do not come up w/ a reasonable solution , Trail Cams will become Banned literally all together .
My thoughts are this . What if there was a "Cap", on the # of Cameras to be used at any given time by each Outfitter/Guide Company per Unit and Individual DIY Hunter of like 20 Cameras max ? Each camera with a label of your info GMU# and Cameras being numbered 1 through 20 if you decide to use 20 Cameras , this will enable those who are regulating the Laws to identify who is breaking the laws .
Anyways what are your thoughts , concerns opinions ?
I understand this is a heated topic , some people like using Trail Cameras and some Hunters despise the Trail Cameras . Either way , we as Sportsman need to come to a happy medium on this topic and regardless of your opinion , no matter who you are I'll respect your opinion .
I myself enjoy utilizing my Trail Cameras and I'll use most the time about 18 cameras on average in the field . But honestly , I do understand a lot of the concerns some people have regarding the use of Trail Cameras . Seeing 15 Cameras on 1 Water trough ... I laugh every time when I see 8 to 13 Cameras on 1 water trough , and it does make the area look tacky or ugly . I can only imagine what an avid environmentalist thinks when they see that, they likely about have a heart attach . lol
But seriously , if we as sportsman do not come up w/ a reasonable solution , Trail Cams will become Banned literally all together .
My thoughts are this . What if there was a "Cap", on the # of Cameras to be used at any given time by each Outfitter/Guide Company per Unit and Individual DIY Hunter of like 20 Cameras max ? Each camera with a label of your info GMU# and Cameras being numbered 1 through 20 if you decide to use 20 Cameras , this will enable those who are regulating the Laws to identify who is breaking the laws .
Anyways what are your thoughts , concerns opinions ?