Trail Cam Tactics for Public Land
Idaho trail camera placement on public land—wallows, north-facing seeps, and terrain saddles—plus how to lock and mount cameras high to deter theft.
Trail cameras are the eyes in the woods when you can't be there. But on public land, theft is real, and the rules are specific.
The Rules
In Idaho, you generally cannot place cameras where they interfere with other users or damage trees (no screw-ins on Forest Service land).
Placement Strategy
- The Wallos: Active wallows in July/August are gold mines for inventorying bulls.
- North-Facing Seeps: In dry country, any water source will be hit daily.
- Saddles: Terrain funnels where ridge systems connect.
Security
Lock it up. Use a python cable lock. Hang it HIGH. Bring climbing sticks and mount the camera 10-12 feet up, angled down. Thieves usually won't look up, and they definitely won't carry a ladder.
Start Your Scout
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