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Considerations for relocating a camera trap
Selecting a camera trap location, preparing the site and setting the trap can be labor-intensive. Most of
our target species have very large home ranges and even if they occupy the habitat where the camera
trap is set, they may not return to it for weeks or even months. For both of these reasons, once set
(barring extraordinary circumstances), camera traps should be left in place for at least one month.
Extraordinary events might include: large changes to the landscape where the camera has been set such
as logging, fire, snowpack changes, increase in human activity in the vicinity, or compelling and time-
sensitive evidence of a much more promising location in the area being surveyed.
After one month, it is reasonable to assess whether or not to continue to monitor the specific area where
you have set your camera trap. Sites that have been very active with a variety of other carnivore species
might encourage you to leave the camera trap where it is currently located. Sites that have had very low
activity might be worth relocating. Other factors to take into consideration may include an abundance of
other promising locations to monitor, or conversely, the current location appearing to be the best option.
Remember that when a camera trap is moved it becomes an entirely new camera installation and
needs to be labeled as such in all the data sheets and photo folders you submit. See above for
guidelines about labeling discreet installations. If you are using the coordinate-recording feature on a
remote camera, be sure to reset the coordinates to the location of your new installation.
Remote Camera Data Sheet and Online Photo Submission
Photos should be processed following the guidelines in the Remote Camera Photo and Data
Management Guidelines (available online at
http://www.conservationnw.org/files/2017fieldteamphotomanagementguidelines). Below is a synopsis of
this process. Refer to full document for details.
Process Remote Camera photos: Review and tag photos in Windows Photo Gallery, Picasa, or
Iphoto
Windows Photo Gallery
Use Windows Photo Gallery if you use a Windows PC computer and have not previously downloaded
