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Let’s get this part out of the way first: Trail cameras are a pain. Batteries die, SD cards get corrupted, settings get messed up, and squirrels trigger thousands of useless images. So why would you make your trail camera strategy more complicated by throwing in cellular cameras, which require network connection and pairing with apps? Simple, it’s because once you finally have the best cellular trail cameras linked up and set properly, they provide you with constant, realtime scouting information that will help you pattern deer.
With that in mind three diehard deer hunters spent the last year testing the top cellular trail cams. We ran them in the field and conducted a standardized backyard walkthrough test. Our results will help you pick the best cellular trail cameras for your hunting style and area.
- Best Overall: Tactacam Reveal X-Pro 3.0
- Best Value: SpyPoint Flex G-36
- Best Night Photos: Stealth Cam Deceptor Max
- Best App: Moultrie Mobile Edge
- Best for Fields and Food Plots: Stealth Cam Revolver 360
- Made in America: Reconyx Hyperfire 2 Cellular
- Cuddeback Tracks
- Bushnell Cellucore 20
- Reconyx Hyperfire 2
- Covert Blackhawk LTE
- Stealth DS4K Transmit
- Wildgame Terra Cell
Cellular Trail Camera Accessories We Like
- SD Card: Sandisk Extreme Pro
- Batteries: Energizer Lithium
- T-Post Mount: Moultrie Multi-Mount
How Cellular Trail Cameras Work
All the cell cams in this test have a similar basic setup process. First you download an app from the company. Then you set up a plan, load the camera with batteries, a sim card, and an SD card, pair the camera with the app (by scanning a QR code with your phone) and then establish your camera settings. When set in an area with cell service, the camera will send photos (or videos) to the app. Plans for each company are structured differently, but there are usually monthly or annual options ranging from about $5 per month to more than $20 per month.
How We Tested the Best Cellular Trail Cams
Each cellular trail camera was set to its fastest shooting mode and highest sensitivity. Markers were placed at 10 feet, 60 feet, and 110 feet. Then the tester walked past the camera (left to right and then right to left) at a medium pace at each given distance. The walkthrough test was then repeated at night. The test is meant to measure the camera’s detection range, trigger speed, shutter speed, and flash range. We looked for blank photos, failures to trigger, blurry images, and overall photo quality.
From there, we set each camera in the field to see how it performed in real world conditions. We set cameras in areas that had reasonable cell service. In the field, we evaluated the camera’s photo quality, reliability, and ease of setup. This included the ability to use each camera’s app to review and sort photos.
The Test Team and Locations
- Scott Einsmann, gear editor, Virginia
- Drew Palmer, contributor, Kansas
- Alex Robinson, editor-in-chief, Minnesota and Wisconsin
- Erik Barber, contributor, Wisconsin
Read Next: Best Trail Cameras
Best Cellular Trail Cameras: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Tactacam Reveal X-Pro 3.0
Alex Robinson
Pros
- Excellent photo quality and field performance
- On demand photo and video
- Automatically pairs with strongest cellular network
Cons
- Mediocre nighttime photo quality
- Delayed “on-demand” video
- Must pull videos from SD card
Key Features
- GPS enabled
- Works on all major cellular networks
- Internal 8GB memory (no need for SD card)
- Pre-installed SIM card
- On-demand video
- Live aiming via app
- 2-inch LCD screen
- No-glow flash
- 80-foot advertised flash range
- 5-shot photo burst mode
- 1080P Video
- No-glow IR
- 1-year warranty
- Price: $155 (plans start at $5 per month)
Tactacam’s Reveal trail camera brand is still relatively new to the market, but it has already made a significant impact with reliable cameras that capture high-quality images. This year Reveal is introducing two brand-new cameras: the Reveal Pro 3.0 and the Reveal X 3.0. The Pro version has more features (so that’s the one I field tested), but the X version comes in at a lower price point of only $125.
Just like the previous Reveal cameras we’ve tested, Pro 3.0 delivers excellent photo and video quality. It’s this combination of performance and a host of new features that made it our best overall cell cam pick. First, the new Reveal automatically connects to the strongest cellular network available. Another notable upgrade is the camera has 8 GB of onboard memory and a pre-installed SIM card. This means you don’t have to mess with SD cards, although you can choose to use a card if you like (there’s still a slot for one). With the internal SIM card, the camera will update its firmware through the cellular network. The sexiest upgrade for this camera is the addition of on-demand video. In the Reveal app you select your camera and then select “request on demand video.” The camera then records a 15-second video and sends it back to your gallery. It’s worth pointing out that it took about six minutes from the request to the time the video was viewable in the app, even with three bars of service. So this is not a real-time video feed.
During the walkthrough test the camera triggered at all ranges, day and night, but it did not produce a useful nighttime photo at 110 feet. With the no-glow feature, the Reveal Pro 3.0 has a more limited nighttime range. If long-distance nighttime photos are important to you, consider the Reveal X 3.0 camera, which has a farther flash range.
The only other ding I have against the new Reveal Pro 3.0 is that you must pull video clips from the SD card if you’re using one (this excludes on-demand videos, of course). It doesn’t send videos through the app. Read my full review of the Tactacam Reveal Pro 3.0 here. —A.R.
Best Value: SpyPoint Flex G-36
Pros
- Fast trigger speed
- Good flash range
- Detected movement at 10, 60, and 110 feet
Cons
- About 1 minute delay between bursts—even on instant setting
Key Features
- 8 AA batteries
- 0.3 second trigger speed
- Advertised Detection Range: 100 feet
- Uses micro SD cards from 2 to 512 GB
- Two-year warranty
The Flex G-36 improves megapixels and performance over last year’s Flex without a price hike. It costs $100, which is $50 less than the similarly photo specced Tactacam Reveal X-Pro.
SpyPoint didn’t just give the new Flex G-36 a glossy veneer of three additional megapixels. It gave the trail cam a serious upgrade under the hood. Last year, the Flex only triggered at 10 and 60 feet. The Flex G-36 triggered at 10, 60, and 110 feet—day and night. It shot three photos of me in frame at each distance too.
The photos are crisp with no motion blur, and while the daytime photos are excellent, the night photos are the most impressive. The IR flash is even and reaches far into the night to produce high-detail photos after sunset.
The SpyPoint app is intuitive and easy to use. If you have hundreds of photos you can easily sift through them using the “buck” filter. I’ve used it on my other SpyPoint cameras and it’s not 100 percent accurate, but it’s a quick way to find peak deer activity times frames.
My one knock on the Flex G-36 is that it takes about a minute to reset between bursts of photos even though I had it set to no delay. In the walkthrough test, I walked from left to right and then right to left. The camera wasn’t capturing my second trip unless I waited about a minute between triggerings. That slight delay could cost you a photo of the second deer down the trail, which so often is the mature buck following a doe. But still, for $100 you can’t go wrong with the Flex G-36. —S.E.
Best Nighttime Photos: Stealth Cam Deceptor Max
Pros
- Excellent nighttime photos
- Superb performance in walkthrough test
- Affordable
Cons
- 16MP daytime photos were low quality
Key Features
- No-glow flash
- 1 to 9 photo burst option
- On-demand photo and video
- Advertised Detection Range: 80 feet
- Compatible with Hunt Stand app
- Automatically pairs with strongest cellular network
- Price: $120 (plans start at $5 monthly)
If you’re tired of scrolling through blurry, low-quality nighttime trail camera images, you should consider Stealth Cam’s Deceptor Max. Last year the Stealth Cam Deceptor handily won our nighttime walkthrough test. This year, the Deceptor Max delivered Stealth Cam with back-to-back wins. It’s essentially the same camera as last year but upgraded with more battery power (16 AAs). Notably, Stealth Cam will soon be offering a rechargeable battery pack that will really add to the utility of these units.
As for nighttime performance, the Deceptor Max captured me clearly at 110 feet, even though the advertised detection range is only 80 feet. It’s the only camera in the test that delivered what I consider to be usable nighttime images at 110 feet. This is extra impressive considering it’s a no-glow camera, so there’s no noticeable red flash when it takes night images. Usually low-glow cameras, which emit a faint red flash, have better long-range nighttime performance. We hung our Deceptor Max deep in a bedding area and tethered it to a Stealth Cam solar panel. The hope is that we’ll be able to run it through the fall without having to reload new batteries.
Just like the Revolver 360, the Deceptor Max offers on-demand photo and video and quick updates for settings changes. The only downside to this camera is that the 16 MP daytime images lacked luster. In the settings you can bump up to 40 MP photos, but that of course requires more SD card storage space. At $120, I consider this camera a great bargain. —A.R.
Best Overall: Tactacam Reveal X-Pro 3.0
Alex Robinson
Pros
- Excellent photo quality and field performance
- On demand photo and video
- Automatically pairs with strongest cellular network
Cons
- Mediocre nighttime photo quality
- Delayed “on-demand” video
- Must pull videos from SD card
Key Features
- GPS enabled
- Works on all major cellular networks
- Internal 8GB memory (no need for SD card)
- Pre-installed SIM card
- On-demand video
- Live aiming via app
- 2-inch LCD screen
- No-glow flash
- 80-foot advertised flash range
- 5-shot photo burst mode
- 1080P Video
- No-glow IR
- 1-year warranty
- Price: $155 (plans start at $5 per month)
Tactacam’s Reveal trail camera brand is still relatively new to the market, but it has already made a significant impact with reliable cameras that capture high-quality images. This year Reveal is introducing two brand-new cameras: the Reveal Pro 3.0 and the Reveal X 3.0. The Pro version has more features (so that’s the one I field tested), but the X version comes in at a lower price point of only $125.
Just like the previous Reveal cameras we’ve tested, Pro 3.0 delivers excellent photo and video quality. It’s this combination of performance and a host of new features that made it our best overall cell cam pick. First, the new Reveal automatically connects to the strongest cellular network available. Another notable upgrade is the camera has 8 GB of onboard memory and a pre-installed SIM card. This means you don’t have to mess with SD cards, although you can choose to use a card if you like (there’s still a slot for one). With the internal SIM card, the camera will update its firmware through the cellular network. The sexiest upgrade for this camera is the addition of on-demand video. In the Reveal app you select your camera and then select “request on demand video.” The camera then records a 15-second video and sends it back to your gallery. It’s worth pointing out that it took about six minutes from the request to the time the video was viewable in the app, even with three bars of service. So this is not a real-time video feed.
During the walkthrough test the camera triggered at all ranges, day and night, but it did not produce a useful nighttime photo at 110 feet. With the no-glow feature, the Reveal Pro 3.0 has a more limited nighttime range. If long-distance nighttime photos are important to you, consider the Reveal X 3.0 camera, which has a farther flash range.
The only other ding I have against the new Reveal Pro 3.0 is that you must pull video clips from the SD card if you’re using one (this excludes on-demand videos, of course). It doesn’t send videos through the app. Read my full review of the Tactacam Reveal Pro 3.0 here. —A.R.
Most Powerful App: Moultrie Mobile Edge
Pros
- Powerful app with lots of features
- Easy setup
- Affordable for a cell cam
Cons
- Pro model had false trigger issues
Key Features
- Automatically pairs with most powerful cellular network
- 0.4 second trigger speed
- Advertised Detection Range: 100 feet
- Free unlimited cloud storage
- Internal memory (no SD card)
- SmartTags for species and buck recognition
- 16 AA Batteries
- Price: $100 (plans start at $9.99 monthly)
Moultrie just introduced its Edge 2.0 and Edge Pro 2.0 cameras which boast improved trigger speeds, on-demand photo and video requests, and upgraded photo quality. During the walkthrough tests the 2.0 Moultries did a better job of capturing me at close and far distances. Nighttime image quality was better, too. The Edge 2.0 just barely captured me at 110 feet at night during the walkthrough test, but images at 60 feet were solid.
Interestingly, I’ve had more consistent field performance from the Edge 2.0 (not the pro version) which is the more affordable camera. I had some issues with false triggers while using the Pro 2.0 in the field. With both these 2.0 cameras, Moultrie was able to keep the price similar to the old cams (which is to say they’re a solid bargain). But for a scorching-hot deal, you can’t beat a two-pack of original Edge cameras for only $99.
What’s truly remarkable about Moultrie’s cellular trail cameras is all of the features they bring to the table through the Moultrie Mobile app. The Edge automatically connects to the strongest network in the area (without requiring you to switch sim cards) and promptly sends photos to your phone. Here’s the cool part: The Moultrie Mobile app is designed with image recognition, so it identifies deer (including bucks vs. does), turkeys, vehicles, and humans in photos. From there, you can sort your photos based on a variety of filters to put together patterns of the deer in your area.
For example, in summer 2022, I hung my test camera on a cornfield edge in a core area of our hunting property in Wisconsin. I ran the camera continuously all fall without issue. It consistently snapped photos of deer and captured me and my hunting buddy anytime we walked or drove by.
According to the app, the highest buck activity for this site was 6 a.m. (I looked through the photos manually to confirm that the app was correct, and it was). Besides time of day, the activity data also accounts for temperature and moon phase. If you’re a serious deer hunter, I’m sure you already see the incredible possibilities for this technology. With several cameras running on a hunting property over the course of several seasons, you’ll have a powerful data set showing when bucks are moving based on time of season, time of day, temperature, and moon phase. I ended up killing my biggest archery buck that season just a few weeks after we caught him on the Moultrie cam.
As a new development, Moultrie has introduced its Game Plan feature. This feature aggregates data from Moultrie cameras in your region to predict deer movement over a one-day, three-day, or nine-day period. It’s essentially like those old-school game activity charts except the intel is based on actual camera data from your area, so it has the potential to be a much more accurate prediction. It’s important to note that Moultrie does not share individual users’ data (in other words no one is going to see your photos or camera locations).
It’s worth noting that the Moultrie Mobile app has a lot of mixed (and negative) reviews in the App Store as many users seem to have had problems with it crashing early on. I’ve been using the updated version this spring and summer, however, and have not had any issues. —A.R.
Best for Fields and Food plots: Stealth Cam Revolver 360
Pros
- Innovative and useful design
- Covers large areas so you miss fewer deer
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Mediocre long-range photos
- Requires a little more time to evaluate photos when in 360 mode.
Key Features
- 6 PIR sensors detect in 360 degrees
- Selectable detection zones
- On-demand photo and video
- Advertised Detection Range: 80 feet
- Compatible with Hunt Stand app
- Automatically pairs with strongest cellular network
- Price: $150 (plans start at $5 monthly)
In terms of innovation, this is by far the most impressive trail camera of the year. As the name suggests, it detects and captures photos in 360-degrees. I’ll admit that when I first saw promo material for this cam, I thought that it was gimmicky. But after field testing it for three weeks, I’m a believer. This is the ideal camera to place in food plots, fields, or relatively open natural food sources. Chris Dunkin, the Brand Manager for Stealth Cam, says employees grew tired of having to set multiple trail cameras on a single food plot, so for more than two years engineers have been working on a cam that could detect images and capture photos in all directions.
The result was the Revolver 360 and its magic is all in its design. It has six PIR sensors which detect objects in six different zones. The camera body also contains a small motor that rotates the lens to each of the six zones when triggered. When in “360 mode” you get six photos that the app stitches together to provide a full-circle panoramic scene. This allows you to see what triggered the camera, but also everything else around it. You simply turn your phone sideways to scan the 360 view (see my screen recording below as an example of what you’ll experience in the app).
Now, you don’t need to shoot in 360 mode if you don’t want to. You can instead select the 180-degree mode or a single photo or video mode. In the single photo and video modes, you select which zones you want to be active. If you like, you could select all six zones and still cover 360 degrees with your camera — the difference is that you only get a photo of the zone that was triggered.
This all might sound a little complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. The app is intuitive and after about an hour of working with the camera I felt like I had it mastered. Importantly, the Revolver is also totally capable of capturing good photos in the woods and on trails. In 180-degree mode, it’s a perfect camera for covering logging roads or open trails. In the woods you use a tree mount to set the camera and in fields you use a mounting post.
A notable feature for the Revolver is its on-demand video. The best way to use this feature is to first take an on-demand 360 photo. Then, select the zone you want to view and request an on-demand 10-second video clip. In my testing, it took about three minutes from the time I requested the video to when it arrived in the app.
Another nice feature about the Revolver 360 and other Stealth cams is that settings changes happen quickly. The camera recognizes new settings after it sends the next photo. So, if you wanted to change the active zones of the Revolver, that change would take place with the next photo send. Or you can trigger this change immediately by requesting an on-demand photo. Some other cameras don’t implement settings changes for 24 hours.
During the walkthrough test I found that the Revolver camera reliably captured images in all directions at close and medium distances. The only place it struggled was at the 110-foot mark (it only has an advertised detection range of 80 feet, so this wasn’t a surprise). But since it can detect movement in all directions, the actual area that this camera covers is much larger than any other cam in the test. The only other downside is that the 360 mode photos take a little more time to evaluate. Because each trigger results in six photos, it takes you extra time to identify bucks when scrolling through the gallery. But still at $150, this camera is a helluva deal. —A.R.
Made in America: Reconyx Hyperfire 2 Cellular
Pros
- High quality photos and performance
- Excellent warranty and durability
- Fast trigger speed
Cons
- App crashed
- Records video, but doesn’t transmit through cellular
- Expensive
Key Features
- 12 AA lithium batteries
- 0.2 second trigger speed
- Advertised Detection Range: 100 feet
- Made in the USA
- Five-year warranty
There’s a reason why most professional wildlife researchers who use trail cameras rely on Reconyx: Their cameras reliably deliver high quality images and run without fail. Hardcore hunters who want that same type of performance should consider the Hyperfire 2. This camera performed well in the walk through test, triggering out to 60 feet day and night and also catching me at close range. Importantly, it was the only camera that truly stopped motion at close range at night (you can see that image below). If you’ve reviewed nighttime photos during the rut, you know this is important. Often a buck that runs right by the camera is captured in a photo as a white blur, making it impossible to count points. That won’t be as much of problem with the Reconyx.
The Hyperfire 2 also performed well in the field, capturing a series of buck photos as he slunk through tall green grass on a property in Wisconsin. Nighttime field photos were excellent. It’s also worth noting that the camera was essentially silent in the walkthrough test. At close range, I could hear other cameras firing, and at night I could see a bright red flash at 60 feet. This was not the case with the Reconyx. There was no visible flash and there was no trigger noise whatsoever.
I have only two small quibbles with the camera. First, the app crashed several times when I started using it. I had to delete the app and reload it three different times. In the app store, I saw several reviews with users complaining about the same issue. Happily, all my photos were saved in my profile and Reconyx seems have to solved the issue. I’ve been running the app for about a month now without issue. Second, the camera did fog up for a few days. I received a few foggy pictures, and when my buddy went to check on the camera, there was a condensation spot inside the housing. This didn’t stop the camera from running and photos are now clear, but we did record a few days of foggy pictures. If price is no object, this is the best cellular trail camera you can buy. —Alex Robinson
Bushnell Cellucore 20
Pros
- Easy-to-use app
- Triggered at 60 feet at night
- Customizable flash
- Solar compatible
Cons
- Inconsistent triggering at far distances
Key Features
- 12 AA
- Less than one second trigger speed
- Advertised Detection Range: 80 feet
- Accepts up to 32 GB SD card
- Low glow
- 20 MP photo and HD video
One of the best buys in cell cams is the Bushnell Cellucore 20 with its 20 MP photos, customizable low glow flash, and easy-to-use app for around $100.
During the walk-through test, the Cellucore triggered at 10 feet with a perfectly centered photo—day and night. The camera didn’t capture me at 60 or 100 feet during the day, but at night it captured a series of five photos of me walking at 60 feet.
The Cellucore has three flash settings: short range, fast motion, and long range. I used the long-range flash setting during the walk-through test and it illuminated out to 43 yards. The downside of the long-range flash is that close objects will be over exposed. For my in-the-field test, I used the fast-motion flash and it produced evenly illuminated photos with good detail from 5 to 15 yards. It also captured several deer walking without much movement blur.—Scott Einsmann
Cuddeback Tracks
Pros
- Camera is easy to set up and use
- D batteries provide longer life
- Solar compatible
Cons
- Average performance in walkthrough testing
- No video option
Key Features
- 4 D batteries
- .25 second trigger speed
- Advertised detection range: 100 feet
- Low glow and no glo options
- Variety of affordable cellular plans
Cuddeback is one of the trail camera O.G.s and their new Tracks cellular cam certainly stands out with its two large antenna paddles. Another big differentiator with this camera is that it runs on 4 D batteries instead of AAs, like all the other models in this test. Cuddeback says the D batteries provide more juice and lifespan for the money, which is notable. Anyone who has run a half-dozen or more trail cameras over the course of a deer season knows that batteries and SD cards can get spendy. The Cuddeback is also compatible with a solar panel to provide even longer battery life in the field.
From a performance standpoint, the Tracks camera did OK. It didn’t capture images at 110 feet and it missed me during the daytime walkthrough at 60 feet. Nighttime photo quality was decent. The camera did a great job of stopping motion at 10 feet. However, the images at 60 feet were not crisp. There were stronger performers at this price point, but if you’re a longtime Cuddeback fan and just want one cell cam to get started, this is the camera for you. Initial plans start at only $4 per month. —A.R.
Covert 2021 Blackhawk LTE
Pros
- Battery life is very good with high quality image mode and lithium AA batteries
- Custom “Working” operating times in Covert App
- True no glow IR
Cons
- 100-foot flash range is closer to 60 feet with average clarity
- Video mode trigger speed is extremely slow
- False triggers in detection at night
Key Features
- 12 AA batteries
- 0.65 second trigger speed
- 60 no glow LED’s
- 2-inch color viewer
- 100-foot flash range
- GPS function
One of the main reasons we picked the Covert 2021 Blackhawk LTE as one of the best cellular trail cameras was the operational customization within the app. You can set custom working times for when the camera is operational and taking photos. This can tremendously extend the already great battery life even longer. There is no question you can get a set of lithium AA batteries to last 12+ months with custom work times on this camera. Covert offers a great line of accessories for this camera. If you have a deer hunting property that you run feeders on, you can set this camera to instant trigger or hourly transfer times and run it via solar and rechargeable batteries. The camera has a 2-inch color viewer in the body, which allows you to get your angles right during set up.
The unlimited plan on the Covert online management page, is only $20 a month per camera. Which in today’s economy, is highly budgeable considering gas to and from to check the camera once a month is most likely going to result in more than $20 plus your time. —Drew Palmer
Stealth Cam DS4K Transmit
Pros
- Wide variety of photo and video options
- Lots of customization through the app
Cons
- App failed to pair with camera during setup
- Mediocre nighttime photos
Key Features
- 12 AA batteries
- 0.2 trigger speed
- Advertised Detection Range: 100 feet
- Burst mode of 1 to 9 images
- Solar power pack compatible
- App monitors activity by day and weather data
Let’s cover the bad news first: During setup the camera failed to sync with the app. I received an error code and called customer service. I spoke with a very nice representative who couldn’t figure out the issue and guessed that I had a bad sim card. After two hours of waiting on hold, I gave up.
Now, let’s assume the bad sim card was simply bad luck and focus on the good news: this camera offers a motherlode of interesting photo and video settings. It has four video resolution options (including 4K) and four photo resolution options (up to 32MP). It also has a interesting option that allows you to shoot in burst mode and record from 1 to 9 images per triggering. Other cameras often shoot three or maybe five images in burst mode.
In the walkthrough test, the Stealth Cam did a nice job of capturing me at close range and at 60 feet. Though the nighttime photo quality was not as good as other top cameras in this test. It did shoot high quality photos in the field. —Alex Robinson
Read Next: Stealth Cam DS4K Transmit Review
Wildgame Terra Cell
Pros
- App includes image recognition software
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Subpar performance in walkthrough test
- Subpar nighttime images
- Antenna didn’t stay up
Key Features
- 8 AA batteries
- 0.7 second trigger speed
- Advertised Detection Range: 80 feet
- Compatible with solar panel
Wildgame is known for making affordable trail cameras and at $120, the Terra Cell is right on par with other budget cell cams in this test. However the Terra Cell’s performance wasn’t as strong as those competitors. During the walkthrough test, the camera did not trigger at 60 feet, during day or night. At 10 feet, it did a nice job of capturing me in the middle of the frame, though image quality at night was not very strong.
On a happier note, the HuntSmart app allows you to sort photos by species and time of day (though it doesn’t present the data quite as intuitively as the Moultrie Mobile app). Still, if you’ve been running Wildgame cameras for years and want to step up to the cellular version, this would be a solid option to hang near a feeder, food plot, or key natural food source. —Alex Robinson
Trail Camera Accessories We Like
- SD Card: Sandisk Extreme Pro
- Batteries: Energizer Lithium
- T-Post Mount: Moultrie Multi-Mount
Cellular Trail Cameras and Hunting Ethics
There is some controversy in the hunting community about using cellular trail cameras to hunt big game (make sure to check your local regulations before buying and using a cellular trail camera). Recently, the Boone & Crockett club issued this policy in regards to cell cams: “The use of any technology that delivers real-time location data (including photos) to target or guide a hunter to any animal in a manner that elicits an immediate (real-time) response by the hunter is not permitted. ‘Real time’ is the key concept. Seeing a photo and harvesting an animal a few hours later, or even the same day, uses this technology to assure a kill. It also takes advantage of the animal, which cannot detect impending danger from a camera. Waiting several days, or even until the following season, to pursue an animal captured on camera is different, and would not be deemed an unethical use of a trail camera.”
In reality, I don’t see many hunters using cell cams to capture images of a buck on a food plot or corn pile and then running out there to kill him that moment (though I’m sure it has happened). A more practical, and ethical, way to use this technology is to record consistent data on deer movement and then using those patterns to decide where to hunt. Most of us have limited days to hunt, so picking the prime spot is critical. The best cellular trail cameras help with that.
FAQs
Hell yes. There’s some extra setup and expense required with cell cams, but once you get them dialed they send photos to you real time. It’s hard to overstate how much fun it is to receive deer pictures all season long. Plus, with a smart trail camera strategy, you can pick the perfect places to hunt at the perfect times. There’s much less risk of spooking deer because there’s no need to hike in and check cameras (read our guide on where to hang trail cameras, here).
All the cameras in this test require a subscription. But setting up the subscription is generally quick and painless. It’s all done through each company’s app, and all you need is your credit card information. Plans usually aren’t too expensive ranging from about $5 per month to a little more than $20 per month. I recommend going with unlimited image plans.
This depends on the type of batteries, the activity in the area, and the setting of the camera. For max battery life, go with lithium, select a lower megapixel image, and opt for more delay time between photos (video kills batteries more quickly). In an area with average deer activity, a cell camera will easily last an entire season or longer.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cellular Trail Cameras
The best cellular trail cameras are powerful scouting tools. But they are also incredibly fun to use (after you get through the setup process). There’s nothing like receiving pictures of shooter bucks all week to get you fired up for a weekend hunt. Even when you’re working, mowing the lawn, or watching your kids’ football game, one simple photo can bring you right back to the woods, if only for a moment.
- Best Overall: Tactacam Reveal X-Pro
- Best Budget Cell Cam: SpyPoint Flex G-36
- Best Night Photos: Stealth Cam Deceptor No-Glo
- Best App: Moultrie Mobile Edge
- Cuddeback Tracks
- Bushnell Cellucore 20
- Reconyx Hyperfire 2
- Covert Blackhawk LTE
- Spypoint Flex
- Stealth DS4K Transmit
- Wildgame Terra Cell
