Trail Camera Wildlife Recording - Code Of Practice
The use and popularity of motion activated trail cameras to record wildlife has exploded in the past 5 years. As prices reduce and quality of recorded images increases the audience for these powerful wildlife monitoring tools is likely to continue to grow at an incredible rate.
The potential benefits of using trail cameras to observe and record wildlife’s natural behaviour is immense but so are the potential hazards.
Whether you are a wildlife professional or a casual observer, using trail cameras in the right manner with due consideration to the wildlife subject, the habitat and to others is of paramount importance.
As part of my preparations for my new Trail Cam Workshops I wanted to put together some recommended guidelines for the trail cam user to consider when using their trail camera.
Taking inspiration from various sources online I’ve put together a 10 Point ‘Code Of Practice’ as a starting point.
It is my intention to contact as many trail camera manufacturers, retailers, photography groups and conservation organisations as possible to ask for their support in adopting these guidelines and sharing them with their customers and members. Each company and organisation supporting the Trail Camera Code Of Practice will have their logo proudly displayed on the Code Of Conduct page with links back to their website.
I would love your support too! Please take a few moments to read the Code Of Practice and download a copy if you wish. Share with as many fellow trail cam users as you can and help me ensure we use our trail cameras responsibly. Thanks!
- The welfare of the subject and its habitat should always come first. If you are in any doubt about the positioning of your trail camera do not do it!
- As a trail cam user you should familiarise yourself with the natural history of your intended subject. The more complex or rarer the species the greater your knowledge should be.
- A general knowledge of other natural history subjects is also desirable to avoid accidental damage of habitat or stressing of wildlife nearby.
- As a trail cam user you should familiarise yourself with local and national legislation which may relate to potential species in the area and in particular whether a licence is required.
- Disturbance to surrounding habitat should be minimised when positioning the trail camera and setting up the desired shot. Some ‘gardening’ (moving/rearranging of surrounding vegetation) may be required to achieve the desired scene but this should always be kept to a minimum and returned to the state in which it was found when the trail camera is removed.
- Baiting an area/scene to attract wildlife should be kept to a minimum and where possible only natural food items should be offered. The use of ‘live food’ should be avoided with the possible exception of mealworms for birds. The area chosen should not expose the subject to predators, people or weather. Any remaining food items should be removed at the same time as the trail camera.
- Do not leave any litter and always disguise/cover any tracks made leading to or from your trail camera.
- Always get the permission of the land owner before placing your trail camera in an area you do not own.
- Avoid general sharing of the exact location of images and footage obtained especially if you happen to capture images/footage of a protected species. Sharing with associated recognised bodies however is encouraged.
- Consider the privacy of others that may stray into the area monitored by your trail camera. Avoid using in public places. If you do position your trail camera in a public place it may be advisable to erect a sign close by stating that motion activated wildlife monitoring cameras are in operation.
Jason Alexander
Wildlife Gadget Man
15 October 2014
