Trail Camera ban on LA WMA's

Mine don't.

the 2 reasons they listed were :

- hunters "claiming" areas where they put cameras, thus causing disputes

- theft

Which is ridiculous justification to ban cameras. Its public land. If I leave a camera out, I know that there is a risk that they will be stolen or messed with. I had someone steal a SIM card out of my camera this year. It happens.

As far as marking your "spot", again, its a ridiculous justification, as hunters should understand that it is, once again, public land and simply putting a camera out does not claim a spot. I've had guys check my SIM, see the pics, and then kill a buck and pose in front of my camera before. Was I annoyed? Absolutely. But again, its part of public land.

I'll probably still put mine out. I put mine on trails in the middle of thickets most of the time anyways. If someone finds it and takes, so bet it.

You’re approaching it with more maturity than the majority of hunters, public or private. Nothing makes grown men act like children faster than a 3am black and white pic of a 125” buck. Completely understand why the state agency doesn’t want to deal with it.

It's going to be pretty tough to enforce not putting out a trail camera.

People 100% use them to claim an area. I can’t leave my stand up all year or my decoys out. It’s personal property left unattended.

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They get stolen anyway. Maybe agents are spending too much time investigating thefts.

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I've never had a camera stolen, but I also realize its public land so I put cable locks on all mine so they aren't easy for someone walking by to just grab and go.

I sent in comments to LDWF against the proposed change and asked what their reasoning behind it. This is the response I got:

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Thank you for your comments. Just as an FYI, the reason there was a proposal to ban cameras on WMAs was

1) Some individuals were using them to “claim” hunting spots which causes user conflicts

2) LDWF law enforcement asked for the ban because they feel individuals involved in illegal activities are using them to warn of law enforcement presence

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Personally, I think both reasons are kind of bullshite.

1. Regulations still allow you to leave a stand in the woods (as long as its laid on the ground in a non-hunting position when not in use). If hunters are acting like their trail camera reserves a spot, then what do you think they're going to do if they leave a stand in the woods and someone else beats them to that spot?

2. Green jeans barely ever leave the road or parking areas on WMAs, so unless those criminals are leaving their bait piles and cameras in a place where the warden can see it from his truck, that reasoning in BS too.

ETA: if they were worried about people engaging in illegal activities and using trail cams to warn of law enforcement presence in the area, why not just require users to tag their cameras with their name and LDWF license numbers? And make it where LDWF can confiscate untagged cameras. Same tagging rules already exist for stands left out on WMA's

Never leave a camera or stand out there unlocked. At least make them put some real effort into stealing them. I had a dude steal my trailer off my truck in the parking lot three years ago.

As for this new regulation, it will not be enforced. Unless an agent sees a camera on your atv or in your hands, nothing will happen.

You think green jeans will go marching through the woods to find your camera?

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They get stolen anyway. Maybe agents are spending too much time investigating thefts.

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in mississippi, green jeans and whop head dolly are the ones stealing the cams.

unpopular opinion: Cameras and Corn ruin the hunting experience