On the Hunt for a Trail Camera? Keep Your Eyes Peeled for These 5 Must-Have Features

Are you getting ready to leave on a hunting trip? Before you set off into the woods, there are a few things you need to do to prepare. You’ll need to prepare physically by working out and practicing with your bow. You can prepare mentally by creating a game plan and a strategy. And of course, you’ll want to stock up on all the hunting equipment you’re going to need — including things like a backpack, a pocket knife and a good quality trail camera.

A trail camera is a must-have for anyone venturing out on a hunting trip. These cameras can help you get a feel for the behavior and patterns of the animals you’re looking for — and in turn, this will make it easier to hunt them.

If you aren’t sure where to start looking for a camera, try a reputable trail camera retailer like Game Camera World. Not all trail cameras are created the same. Different types of cameras have different benefits. But there are a few key features that are important across the board.

Good Photo Quality

The quality of your trail camera matters. You want a camera that will take high-quality photographs so you can easily review them later. A high megapixel count (10MP or higher) can indicate good photo quality.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that megapixels aren’t everything. Just because a camera has a high megapixel count doesn’t necessarily mean the quality of the photos will be up to par. If you can, it’s best to look at sample photos from any trail camera that you’re considering.

Fast Trigger Speed

Trail cameras are motion-activated. When a deer or other animal wanders into the frame, the camera will sense the animal’s movement and automatically snap a photo. That’s why you want to purchase a camera with a fast trigger speed — so it will catch the game before the animal goes back out of frame.

Trail camera trigger speeds can range anywhere from 0.1 seconds to four seconds. More expensive models will have a faster trigger speed. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how much you’re willing to spend to get a fast trigger speed.

Extensive Detection Range

Detection range is another important feature for a motion-activated camera. How far away from an animal does your camera need to be to catch their movement? Ideally, you’ll find a camera that can detect motion from 100 feet away.

Long Battery Life

It’s important to know the battery life of your camera so you’ll know how long it will last out in the field before you need to replace the batteries. Obviously, the longer the battery life, the more cost-effective the camera will be for you.

Many trail cameras will take around 20,000 images with eight lithium batteries. Other cameras use rechargeable batteries. These batteries can save you money, and they’ll improve battery life during the winter, too.

Infrared Flash Type

Look into what type of flash a trail camera uses to take photos at night. Some trail cameras use a white flash (similar to what a DSLR camera would use). This kind of flash produces great photos, but often scares the animal away. That’s why other trail cameras have a built-in infrared flash — an “invisible” flash that won’t frighten the deer. Infrared flashes are often recommended for serious hunters. Trigger speed, detection range, flash type and more are a few of the most important features to look for in any trail camera. A product with these five features will serve you well on your next hunting trip.