38
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).
3. Look for flagging along the route and near the actual camera location if your team has
elected to place it,
