Game Cams – Where Do You Draw the Line?
By Darren Choate
The Case: Hunting ethics and the use of game cams
Hunting Ethics - Game-camera technology has changed incredibly over the last 10 years. It was during this timeframe that I was using game cams that used film to capture pictures of deer. Now, not only are there huge-megapixel game cams out there, but some of them are capable of uploading the pictures of the deer to a website for the hunter to review or even sending them to your cell phone. The use of all game cams presents a hunting ethics dilemma, and opinions on the subject are broad. While a large number of hunters believe that the use of game cams is completely acceptable, others believe that their use should be strictly prohibited. Of course, there are hundreds of opinions that lie between these extreme viewpoints. To take a stance, hunters have to know the applicable hunting laws and regulations before making their hunting ethics proclamation.
Hunting Laws and Regulations
All hunters are bound by laws and each state has their own set of hunting laws and regulations. Every state publishes their hunting regulations; every hunter should keep a copy handy, especially if hunting out of state and not as familiar with the laws. Some states, Montana for example prohibit the use of game cams during the big game season. While game cams can be used during the pre-season to scout, their use must be stopped prior to the start of a specific hunt. The following is the statement published in the Montana hunting laws and regulations regarding the use of game cams and other electronic devices.
“It is illegal for a person to possess or use in the field any electronic or camera device whose purpose is to scout the location of game animals or relay the information on a game animal’s location or movement during any Commission adopted hunting season.”
Hunting laws like these are vague at best; each individual, law-enforcement personnel included may interpret the law differently. These hunting laws are a little “gray” when it comes to hunts that overlap; for example, the use of game cams for one hunter scouting for his or her antelope during an open deer season. In Montana, this type of vagueness is handled on a case by case basis, making it hard for hunters to know if they are playing by the rules.
Hunting Ethics
The ethics of each hunter are his or her own. However, organizations like Boone & Crockett Club and Safari Club International provide a guiding light when it comes to ethical hunting. In addition to the requirement that hunters adhere to all hunting laws and regulations, Boone & Crockett Club has included the following excerpt in their Entry Affidavit for hunter-taken trophies that are entered in to their record book.
“For the purpose of entry into the Boone and Crockett Club’s records, North American big game harvested by the use of the following methods or under the following conditions are ineligible:
III. Use of electronic communication devices to guide hunters to game, artificial lighting, electronic light intensifying devices (night vision optics), sights with built-in electronic range-finding capabilities, thermal imaging equipment, electronic game calls or cameras/timers/motion tracking devices that transmit images and other information to the hunter.”
The Future of Game Cam Use
In my opinion, game cams are a great scouting tool, but they are just that — a tool. In essence, they are no different than a pair of high-powered binos, which western hunters, especially use as a viable scouting tool too. I use game cams to scout throughout the pre-season, and I have no qualms doing so. The 1,000s of pictures of deer that I get are invaluable data that aids in the process of finding and selecting the best location(s) to hunt when the season starts. Specifically, I use game cams for three major reasons: 1) to find mature bucks, and create a “hit-list,” 2) determine travel patterns of deer during daylight hours, especially bucks, and 3) to scout without having to be present, which means applying less pressure to the deer I will be hunting. Additionally, I keep game cams out during the season to monitor buck activity. The point: the game cams collect data, but I still put my skills (which may be limited) to work to determine when, where and how to hunt.
At the time of this writing, I have not used any game cam that sends pictures of deer and other game to a cell phone or to a website electronically. When I first learned that game cam manufacturers were featuring electronically transmitted files, I was appalled. My first thoughts were that some hunters would use real-time data to replace the skills of hunting; simply waiting for a picture of a buck to come in, and for them to go in pursuit. I was also afraid that this latest technology would continue to grow out of proportion, making it easier for hunters, especially new hunters to use technology as a crutch to replace the skills of hunting.
Recently, I have given their use more thought and I can see several valid reasons to use game cams that can send files electronically. First, by using these new-fangled game cams, hunters can place game cams once, and then scout electronically without disrupting the natural habits of deer and other game, which would have a positive impact on deer; and, therefore on hunters. Second, since I have been hunting out of state more, this would be a great way for me to scout from a distance. With one long trip to a neighboring state(s), I could have several “scouts” in place throughout the pre-season and all the same invaluable data to help me game plan for the hunt.
Final Thoughts
At no point would I condone the use of game cams capable of sending electronic data as a tool for hunters to make a real-time decision. That said, the technology is already there in the game cam industry, making it possible for hunters to do just that. As with all issues surrounding hunting ethics, the onus is on the hunter to do the right thing, and to draw their line. Where do you draw the line?
