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constructing the camera trap can help increase the effectiveness of the placement of the
trap. Field teams will be briefed by project leadership and advisers on particularly
promising locations to focus on in their sampling unit prior to field trips. Once a location
has been selected to set the remote camera trap, follow the guidelines below to select the
specific location to deploy the trap.
Camera Trap Set
This camera trap is an adaptation of the hair corral described by Kendall and McKelvey
(2008) and utilized by CCCP (Long et al 2013) in the NCE. It is based on a classic bait
structure that bear hunters from around the world have used to attract both black and
brown/grizzly bears.
The scent lure used for this trap is a combination of fermenting cattle blood and fish oil
provided by United States Forest Service to CWMP. This lure is extremely strong
smelling. Care in transporting the lure in the field and out is key. The lure is designed to
trigger a foraging/curiosity response in bears to draw them to its location but has also
been observed to elicit rubbing behavior (a communication behavior) once they are at
the location. Because of this, situating the trap in a location that will likely attract bears
because of nearby natural food sources, existing marking trees, or trails and travel routes
that appear to be or would predicted to be used by bears are all habitat features that can
increase the chances of success of the camera trap.
If in the process of scouting for a specific location for the camera trap, a team encounters
a rub tree, large animal carcass, or other feature that acts as a natural attractant for bears,
this camera trap can be constructed adjacent to the natural attractant.
Once an area has been selected (see above for guidelines), look specifically for a small
clearing where a debris pile can be created in the middle of it. Construct a pile of sticks,
branches and woody debris. Pile should be about 3 feet in diameter and similar in height
with a mix of fine and course material and dense enough so that the full liter of scent
lure poured on it will have a lot of surface area to adhere to.
