Over the last few years, trail cameras have greatly changed the face of hunting. This new technology has become greatly popular all over the world.

 With this new piece of equipment, hunters can track their game 24/7, without being in the woods. These cameras use motion detection technology to take pictures of animals in the wild continuously.

Hunters have been using trail cameras frequently over the past few years to monitor game movement and locations anywhere animals roam and, believe you me, it’s surprising what’s happening just outside your back door while you are away.

All kinds of critters, large or small, feathered or furry can be captured by a spy that neither leaves a scent nor emits a sound.

Hunter Jerry Branson of Hulbert has property in the far western region of the state. In visiting with him, I found that extensive in-person scouting was not a viable option due to the drive and his work schedule. After black powder season, Branson set up a camera on the dike of a dry pond where he had seen deer in the past. When he returned a couple of days before firearms season, the camera rewarded him with a photo of a nice buck he harvested later during gun season.

Wildlife photographer George Shiras first used trail cameras in the late 1880s, and in 1906, National Geographic published the first trail camera photos using Shiras' Michigan wildlife shots.

Back then, the cameras could take only one photo at a time. By the 1950s, 35mm trail cameras could hold up to 30 photos. Today, with digital cameras and memory cards, trail cameras can hold over 250 pictures at one time.

One concern with trail cameras in the past is that many hunters believed that the flash used for taking pictures during the nighttime hours could spook deer. Through advances in technology, most of today’s cameras offer an infrared flash instead of a normal one.

I spoke with local hunter Dan Chaffin, who told me that infrared is definitely the way to go. With infrared, the flash is unseen to the deer and other animals, yet still provides quality night-time pictures.

Some trail camera brands have an added feature. For a monthly fee, viewers can see their photos online or have the pictures sent to their wireless phone without ever having to physically go out to the woods. Chaffin believes that this feature is a great asset in being able to track game on your property.

Some rigs such as the Moultrie game spy camera and GPS include day and night video and the camera imprints the temperature, moon phase, time, date and camera ID on every image.

New cameras also feature a canister that holds the memory card. This canister may be buried, and in the event that the camera is stolen, the owner has a picture of the thief.

But hunters aren’t the only ones jumping on the trail camera bandwagon. Bird and other wildlife watchers use the cameras to record the movement of animals. These cameras can also be used for security purposes such as monitoring property.

Trail cameras are becoming more and more affordable these days, with basic products starting around $50, to higher end cameras around $150 to $200. Some professional models may reach $800.

These friends of the outdoorsman have become a great advantage for monitoring their game and property 24 hours a day.

John Kilgore’s outdoor column runs Fridays in the Phoenix. To reach him with news or comments, call 348-9431 or e-mail him at  jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.