The Complete List of Everything You Need To Run Trail Cameras

Learn everything needed to run trail cameras effectively. 

Trail cameras have quickly become a key tool for hunters and nature enthusiast alike. Just like any other form of photography, there is ample room for improvements and accessories to elevate (literally) your trail camera photos. 

We are going to list the many possible accessories that could be useful to anyone who uses trail cameras. 

1. The Proper Trail Camera 

This might be the most obvious, but selecting a trail camera that fits your needs is extremely important. We've talked about selecting the right trail camera in a past blog, so head over there and learn all the details. 

2. SD Card

Secure digital or SD Cards are essential when running trail cameras. They store all of the images that the camera captures. However, remember all SD cards weren't created equal. We suggest at least a class 4 card. The class level describes the writing speed of the card. Here's a photo from the SD association that puts the class levels with the corresponding images/videos. 

The class level can be found on the front of the card typically and is the small circled number.  

We also like to use two SD cards for each particular camera. For example, we will have our first SD card in the trail camera formatted, but to make checking cameras least invasive we will just swamp the first card with our second card for that particular camera. 

3. Lithium Batteries 

If you've been on our blog before, you know the importance of lithium batteries, but if you haven't been, be sure to read why. The success of your trail camera is often directly correlated with the selection of batteries. Skimping on cheap batteries can often lead to frustration. Cheap alkaline batteries die more quickly, leaving users with a dead camera in the woods. Time is the most important aspect in regard to hunting and having a camera not working properly could easily be detrimental to your season or nature project. 

4. Camera Mounting Accessories 

Camera mounting accessories can be a great tool and enable more versatility than a traditional camera strap. We often use after market camera mounting pieces to help conceal and prevent trail camera theft. Having the ability to stealthy place a trail camera out of eye level exponentially decreases someone seeing your camera. 

We like to bring a section of climbing sticks with to place our cameras in an elevated position. 

Using a mounting piece also allows easier pivoting for precise camera placement. We've had the most luck with the Stick-n-Pick mini screw in tree.  They are pretty cost effective and allow for immense versatility, which is always important to us. 

5. Bait 

This additional piece is limited to where it's legal to bait. Having a bait station will put your camera hard at work with many critters coming in for a free delicious meal. Using the tools we've already mentioned in this post and bait is a very successful strategy. 

With the help of these five trail camera items, you should be well on your way. Getting more use from your trail camera can help lead to a great season or natural survey. How do you like to use trail cameras? Let us know in the comment section!