55 CWMP 2013-2014 Winter Field Season Report
animals. Full view of an animal's features is often needed for sure species
identification. Make sure that every place that an attractant is applied is within the
view of the camera so that wildlife spending time sniffing are captured on the
camera. Set the camera and then trigger it and review the images to be sure that
the area within the photo frame is appropriate.
Handling scent lures: Because the scent lures are so powerful it is vital to keep
them separate from the remote camera to avoid drawing attention to the camera
its self. Bears in particular can destroy remote cameras. Have one person on a
team carry and handle the lures and a separate person handle the camera.
When traveling in bear country with carnivore scent lures, always carry bear
spray. When camping with it, treat it like food and store it away from where you
camp, ideally hung from a tree as with precautions for food in bear country.
Make sure to record the exact names of the lure(s) applied by your team on
your data sheet. This information will be entered into our database to track the
wildlife response to different lures.
Setting Two Remote Camera Traps in the Same Area
Most teams will have two remote cameras to deploy in their assigned area. Refer
to the specific guidelines for spacing of these camera traps and considerations
for variations between the two in the species-specific protocols for wolves, bears,
and lynx. For wolverines, these two cameras are used in conjunction with each
other at the same trap site (see wolverine specific protocol).
For general wildlife survey camera traps, as along Interstate 90, space your
camera traps at least 1 kilometer apart and attempt to set up the two cameras in
distinctive habitats. This will help increase the diversity of captured wildlife. Other
considerations might include setting cameras on opposite sides of the interstate,
setting one on a trail that clearly leads to the road or a culvert under the road,
and a second in habitat a bit more distant from the road.
Servicing a Remote Camera Trap
Instructions for servicing a previously installed camera trap
Getting to Camera Site
1. Use the site write-up, maps, written directions, GPS coordinates and
photographs of the area taken by the installation crew to locate your cameras.
It might be helpful to take a copy of the data sheet from the installation and/or
previous visit, which may have useful notes on it.
2. Be on the lookout for tracks, scat, or other wildlife sign on the way to the
camera and if encountered, document per Wildlife Sign Documentation
Protocol section (below).
