How to Properly Store Trail Cameras

Proper trail camera winterization will increase the longevity of trail cameras. 

The season has come to an end and most bucks have dropped their antlers. These two facts are indicators to bring in your fleet of trail cameras for a few months, to help improve the longevity of each game camera. 

Learn these 5 tips to winterize trail cameras. 

1. Make sure your cameras are in working order. 

The first and most important step to winterizing trail cameras is making sure they are in working order. After taking down all your cameras make sure the functions are operating properly. If the camera isn't working, this will give you time to reach out to the manufacturer and iron out any issues. We always have an open line for any questions or concerns. 

Don't forget to give your cameras a thorough visual inspection. Check for corrosion in the battery tray, shell damage, dirt build up around the seal and buttons, stress fractures on latches and moving parts, fractures in any glass, and lastly the rubber grommet on the door. 

2. Take out the batteries. 

This might seem obvious, but we've all forgot to take out a batteries of an electronic and proceed to store it for a few months. When doing this, it takes battery corrosion out of the picture. However, if this simply slipped your mind, our cameras have completely separate housing to combat this issue. 

3. Don't mix and match batteries. 

If you've been following our blogs, you'll know the importance of using lithium batteries. However, when taking out lithium batteries keep each set batched together using tape or a sandwich bag.

Mix matching lithium batteries with different levels of voltage will cause problems when you put the cameras back out. 

In most cases, it's best to dispose of the batteries and start fresh next year. 

4.  Use an air duster. 

Air duster is great to clean out all of the holes and inserts on trail cameras. Getting the gunk that compiled into the camera during a busy hunting season will give your camera instant extended life. By using the canned air, you'll be able to clean these sensitive electronic spots without touching it. Jabbing a q-tip or some other object into the inserts can be detrimental to the game camera. 

5. Storing your cameras properly. 

So now we've tested the camera and made sure it worked, took out the batteries, bundled and labeled each set of batteries, and cleaned the terminals. Now it's time to find a good resting area until #VelvetFest begins. To avoid any additional wear and tear, try storing your trail cameras inside the garage or even a closet in the house. Keeping Silica packets in the box the cameras are shopped in can be a great tactic for keeping unwanted moisture away from anything. 

In case you've thrown away the Silica packets, they can be purchased on Amazon. 

With the help of these 5 tips, you're cameras should be ready to go this upcoming season. By taking care of your scouting tools, you'll get more life out of your cameras, which is always a good thing. 

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