Not putting out cameras before hunting season is akin to driving in the dark without your headlights on. You don’t know what you may see or from what direction it may come. You can’t identify used pathways, see fresh rubs or markings, or notice significant changes in the environment, such as foliage or downed trees. These would be the equivalent of missing roads or not seeing signs while driving. So, if you’re as serious about hunting as you are about using your headlights, it’s time to consider setting out trail cameras on your property. This is part of the prep work that goes into hunting.
Latest Muddy Gear
One brand that has been in the hunting game for a while and that makes excellent game cameras is Muddy. They manufacture hunting apparel, ladder stands, tripods, ground blinds, hang-on blinds, and harnesses, as well as cellular cameras and a wide range of accessories. They sent me a couple of cellular cameras to try out, along with a solar battery pack and an eco-mount, to test out on my property this fall. These were extremely easy to set up and have already withstood extreme heat, a snowstorm, and relatively cold temperatures without any issues. Let me dive into each product and the phone application needed to access the camera content.
Trifecta 180
The Trifecta 180 cellular trail camera is a powerful device that combines the functionality of three cameras in one. It has 180-degree motion detection with an 80-foot detection and flash range. For those interested in the technology aspect, three independent PIR sensors break one area into three zones. Once the camera is triggered, it rotates the lens to the zone where movement was detected and captures images and videos.
The settings on this camera allow you two options for how you want photos and videos captured. The single-zone setting is precisely what it sounds like: it captures only one image or video of the triggered zone. The 180-zone setting is also precisely what it sounds like: three photos are taken by rotating across the three zones to create a panoramic-style image. The result is high-resolution 36MP imaging and 1080 HD video with audio. Burst mode allows you to capture one to three photos per activation.
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On Demand Feature
One of my favorite features on this camera is the ability to request a photo or video “On Demand.” If you haven’t visited your property in a while and are curious about its current condition, you can send an On Demand request for an immediate photo or video to be sent. While I will dive into the Command Pro App, which is needed to download pictures and video footage, the Trifecta 180 comes with a pre-installed SIM card for dual-network coverage from either AT&T or Verizon carriers. The camera is powered by 16 AA batteries and features a 12-volt DC auxiliary jack for plugging in an external solar battery pack.
Choosing a location for the Trifecta 180 can be tricky. Because of its wide view, this camera is more useful when mounted on a fence line, a field edge, in front of a foot plot, or in a transition area. It can still be used on a trail or in a smaller space, but then you might as well use a regular single-sided cellular camera instead. With the 180-degree capturing capability, you can identify actively used paths, the frequency at which wild game travels through an area, and gain a more holistic view of animals’ routines.
Manifest 3.0 Cellular Trail Camera
A more entry-level trail camera is the Manifest 3.0. This camera records 720 HD Video and images with a resolution of up to 16MP. Like the Trifecta, it has an 80-foot detection and flash range, so nothing is walking around this camera without getting photographed or videoed. Burst mode captures one to three photos per triggering and has a 0.5-second trigger speed. Each image and video is stamped with the time, date, moon phase, temperature, and camera name, so there’s no questioning when the content was captured.
The Manifest 3.0 has a distressed look to its FDE-like coloring to help blend into the natural environment. It also connects to the Command Pro App and features an on-demand capability to capture a photo or video in real-time. It also comes with a preinstalled SIM card toprovide dual-network coverage from either AT&T or Verizon carriers. The SD Card slot in the camera accepts up to one 32GB memory card. This camera operates on just eight AA batteries and features a 12-volt DC auxiliary jack to accommodate an external solar battery pack.
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Muddy’s Solar Battery Pack
Obviously, a downside to managing a cellular trail camera is the need to replace batteries as often as necessary. It’s not just an added cost, but also a hassle to take the time to swap batteries and potentially blow out a hunting spot. The Solar Battery Pack is the go-to, easy method for reducing the need for battery changes. This battery pack features an integrated 5,000mAh lithium-ion battery that keeps your game cameras powered for months. Before installing the solar battery pack in the field, be sure to charge it at home first.
Mounting the solar battery pack is incredibly easy. Once you use the strap to mount the device to a tree or other location, the bracket adjustment allows you to fine-tune the position to collect as much sunlight as possible. The LED battery indicator button will illuminate to display the remaining charge in the solar battery. The most beneficial aspect of the solar battery pack is that you can run one panel or daisy-chain them for more power. The Solar Battery Pack is compatible with all Muddy cellular cameras featuring a 12V DC jack.
Eco Mount
Mounting a cellular trail camera isn’t always as simple as using a strap to wrap the camera around a tree. There are some locations where trees are not positioned at the ideal angle to capture a specific trail or water source. This is where the Eco Mount comes in handy. This steel tube is constructed with a tripod-style mount that pivots 180 degrees in every direction, both horizontally and vertically, allowing you to set up your camera at the perfect angle. No tools are needed to install the Eco Mount. Simply hand screw the bottom of the mount into the mounting surface and then use the integrated hand screw levers to adjust the camera or solar power pack angle. This made installation even easier than using the typical strap.
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Muddy’s Set Up & Command Pro App
One thing I appreciated about the setup of the Muddy cellular trail cameras is that each one has a QR code inside the camera, making installation as simple as possible. The cameras are designed to be used with the Command Pro App. A cellular data plan is required to use the Command Pro application and have the cameras and photos sync to your phone.
There is specific pricing based on the number of pictures or the unlimited plan. You can add additional cameras at a reduced rate when you select the unlimited option. The home page gives you a snapshot of each camera’s signal strength, battery life, SIM card memory, and solar battery pack life. The gallery view displays all captured content and can be sorted by specific camera, a created group, tags, a specific date, and more. You can easily save any photo or video to your phone’s image library.
In addition to accessing the Command Pro’s On Demand feature, users can integrate HuntStand, a hunting and land management app, while also experiencing free camera sharing, AI night colorization, advanced filtering capabilities, and much more.
More Data = More Success
The more game cameras you can put out, the higher your success rate will be during hunting season. Game cameras can give you a lot of insight into animal activity, their habits, and track any environmental changes. You can’t go wrong with a Muddy cellular trail camera. They’ve been making products for hunters for years and are constantly innovating as the market grows and changes.
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