SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 19 Note: There are certain legalities pertaining to the use of cameras for surveillance purposes. Check out the Department of Primary Industries Primefact 1508: Using infrared surveillance cameras. (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov. au/__data/assets/pdf_fi le/0010/724285/pf1508-using- infrared-surveillance-cameras.pdf) One of the biggest mistakes that most trail camera users make is an inability to properly operate or setup their cameras. Don't worry, nothing that can't be overcome with time and practice, and remember even the most seasoned professionals can still make silly mistakes. Take the image above for example. This camera was setup on the sheep carcass relatively close to the centre of the fi eld of view and was pointed in a general southerly direction, so not a bad start. However, after leaving the camera setup for the best part of a week it soon became evident from 1,275 photos and 179 videos that there were a number of faults in the setup that are very easy to fi x the next time the camera is deployed. In this scenario the camera was affi xed to a tree at about 1.5m above the ground and angled down straight toward the carcass. Effectively this has reduced the detection zone capabilities of the camera and resulted in a very direct focus of the PIR (passive infrared) sensors and the infrared fl ash. Whilst the camera was still able to capture some very insightful photos and videos a few minor improvements in the setup could have lead to far less false triggers. As much as 85% of all photos and videos in this instance were false triggers. Setting the camera lower in the tree or on a star picket at a height of between 500 – 800mm above the ground would be better in this instance for the target animals wanting to be detected. This would give a wider fi eld of view and detection area. There are instances where wary animals have been identifi ed lurking in the shadows but have remained cautious, not coming near or onto the carcass. Whether it has anything to do with them being able to detect human activity or that they are able to detect the camera in some manner, whether it be light or sound for instance, we don't know, although there have been studies that suggest this could be the case. Clearing vegetation directly in front of the camera and within the detection zone will also help. The sensitivity of PIR sensors varies and something as simple as a long blade of grass could be all that is needed to trigger a false capture. This was also discovered in this setup. Even though the camera was set relatively high in the tree in this case, tall vegetation could have been a contributor to the number of false triggers, although we feel that the biggest fault in this setup was actually the location. Because the methodology of deploying the camera in this instance was purely opportunistic, the camera was fi xed to the nearest tree to the carcass. Ultimately this resulted in the camera facing perhaps a little too far towards the west and directly towards another clump of trees across from the open area where the carcass laid. Shadows moving across the ground have been thought to have caused almost 80% of all the false triggers. Why is that we hear you ask? Because of the PIR sensors. Passive infrared works by identifying the differential between the ambient background temperature and the target animal. When the sensors detect a temperature variation of just a few degrees it will snap a photo or video. Unfortunately for where this setup occurred, it is theorised that the constantly moving shadows and light variable winds that were present on this property at the time, are the root cause of these false triggers. The only way to help improve animal capture rates and reduce the number of false triggers is to continue to familiarise yourself with the capabilities and limitations of your camera and practice deploying it in a variety of locations until you fi nd the ideal setup for your camera and the game you are trying to capture. Not all cameras are the same so what may work for one model can be completely different from another. Note: Feral pigs will feed on almost anything and as an opportunistic omnivore they switch food preferences depending on availability. It is said that succulent green vegetation is the food item of choice, however feral pigs will eat fruit, grain, and a wide variety of animal material including frogs, fi sh, reptiles, birds, small mammals and carrion. They will also eat underground plant material such as roots, bulbs and fungi. Out of interest a sample pile of grain and vegetables was placed about 3-4 metres behind the carcass. There were no signs of activity at that site during the camera deployment, not even from the resident kangaroos or rabbits that are known to be active in that particular area.

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