For those that use trail cameras to monitor activity at bear baits, do you always use one of the metal protective boxes with it?  

I have three baits out, and own three cameras, but only one metal box. I'd like to have a camera at each bait site, but would prefer that the blackies eat the goodies in the bait rather than my trail cameras!

Hi Joe

No I never have used the protective boxes on my game cameras setup at bear baits. I set the camera up about 7' – 7.5' off the ground so they aren't nose level down where the bears have direct access to them. I understand that 7' and 7.5' doesn't put the camera out of the reach of an adult bear but I figured it would be less conspicuous up that high than near the ground. So far it has worked.

Can't bait here in CO, but the bears around here have done a number on my cameras....I haven't tried setting them higher but will. They have broke one beyond repair so far and the others they just break the strap leave the camera swinging. Not broke at least but a get a bunch of pics of the ground:(

I don't use a metal box and leave mine about 3' off the ground. I've got lots of pictures of bears smelling or rubbing themselves on the camera and while I've been in the stand I've seen them scratching themselves on it but I've never had one damaged.

You can't bait here but my cameras are in bear country,mostly on springs or trails.These days,every camera I own has a steel box.They are worth their weight in gold.Bears have destroyed $800 worth of cameras for me and I had a tree fall on one and busted it up pretty good but I was able to repair it.

Once the box is lagged to a tree and aimed properly,I can remove the camera and put it back and it will be aimed exactly where it was before.I bears mess around it or stand with their feet on it,it isn't knocked out of position.

I get the regular steel boxes from camlockbox.com,not the heavy duty ones and have not had one problem since using them.I just don't buy a camera now,without buying a box.

It is impossible to hide anything from bears and at a bait site,with all the activity,I would expect trouble.Young bears are probably the worst,but I've had trouble with mature ones too.They are also good for chewing up padded tree stand seats.

I place two screw-in steps on each set tree and climb up, setting the cams well above snoopy bear level. I also brush them in some.  No problem angling downward; each of my cameras is mounted to a little platform that allows downward positioning.

Hi Joe,

I always box mine in at ground level. My bears like to play with them. I was short a metal box last year and built one out of 3/4 plywood.Don't have any pictures of it but all I did was build the box, rip it at 1" all four sides for the door,hinge it,put a clasp for the lock opposite the hinge side, jig saw out the face for the camera. The camera had threaded inserts in the back. I used them  mounting the camera to the box. ratchet strapped the box to the tree.Took about an hour to build.  Worked great. Good luck!!!! Paul

This is the only picture I can find of one.This one is a Scoutguard 550 and a little custom camo painting.
 

I've had bears try biting my metal box so I always keep it in the safe.

My nephew solved this problem by putting the camera in a tree too small for the bear to climb, then he cuts the top of the small tree off to prevent the wind from triggering the camera.

My tip If you have an IR with no flash it helps.

Also when putting the camera out put gloves on and keep your camera scent free of human scent and especially of any scent from your bait.

I haven't used lock boxes the past few years and haven't had any problems. I also put my camera as far away as possible within the effective range which also helps for marking the size of the bear. I put height, length, and mass markers between the bait and camera so it helps to keep it farther away to get them all in the picture.

I would buy two more metal boxes or two new cameras with metal boxes and sell the old ones.  I have a lot of eye, nose, and open mouth close ups...

Thanks for the responses.  Sounds like putting them out without boxes would be risky, which is kind of what I figured.  Placing them high or on a small tree would probably help.

I do have one borrowed metal box but it doesn't fit my camera perfectly - covers up part of the sensor opening.  Maybe it would work anyway - can't hurt to try.  

I also like Paul's suggestion and may just make one up myself. Thanks!!

You may want to spray them down with a scent eliminator spray.

Joe:

Place it high up, angled down on a very small tree, maybe 4" @ 6-7' up.  I have done that and have been ok.

I like the small tree idea. Gonna give it a go myself this weekend using rubber gloves.