Using Trail Cameras for Wildlife Filmmaking: A Game-Changer for Tracking Elusive Animals
As a wildlife filmmaker, capturing the perfect shot often requires patience, skill, and a deep understanding of animal behavior. One of the most effective tools I’ve incorporated into my workflow is the use of trail cameras. These cameras not only help track wildlife movements but also provide real-time insights into how animals are interacting with their environment—all without human interference.
Why Use Trail Cameras?
Trail cameras are invaluable for wildlife research and filmmaking. They allow filmmakers and researchers to observe animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them. By using a cellular trail camera, such as the Bushnell CelluCORE, I can receive images directly to my phone whenever motion triggers the camera. This feature helps me determine the best times and locations to set up for filming, increasing my chances of capturing compelling footage.
The Adventure Begins
On this particular outing, I set off to check one of my cellular trail cameras. I hadn’t received any updates from it in days, which made me suspect that the batteries had died or that it had been affected by recent storms. Placing cameras in washes and wildlife corridors provides excellent opportunities to track animal movements, but it also exposes them to the elements.
Upon arrival, I noticed evidence of heavy water flow in the area, but fortunately, my camera was still intact—just a bit off-kilter. While the camera had stopped sending updates due to a lost signal, it had still been recording, capturing footage of local wildlife, including bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and even deer. Reviewing these images felt like opening a Christmas present, revealing the hidden stories of the landscape.
Insights from the Trail Camera
The footage confirmed what I had suspected—this wash served as an important travel corridor for various species. Coyotes, bobcats, and foxes were regularly passing through, as well as deer, which I hadn’t expected to see in this particular area. The images also revealed a surprise guest: a javelina, captured on video wandering through the frame.
Seeing the interactions between these animals helps me determine where to set up my longer lenses for more cinematic filming. For example, knowing that a bobcat frequents a specific area at dawn means I can plan my shoots more efficiently, avoiding unnecessary hours of waiting.
Adjusting the Strategy
Now that I’ve gathered this initial data, I plan to reposition the camera and set up additional non-cellular trail cameras in nearby areas. The goal is to find optimal locations where animal activity is highest, which will help refine my approach for future shoots.
For my next trip, I’ll focus on scouting better locations and experimenting with video-only settings to capture more dynamic footage.
Why You Should Try Trail Cameras
If you’re interested in wildlife filmmaking or simply want to observe the natural world, trail cameras are a fantastic investment. They allow you to:
Monitor wildlife without disturbing them
Gain insights into animal behavior
Identify the best locations for filming
Capture unique moments that might otherwise go unnoticed
The Bushnell CelluCORE camera I use has been a game-changer for me, providing instant updates and a reliable way to scout for wildlife activity. If you’re looking to enhance your wildlife observation or filmmaking efforts, I highly recommend checking it out.
Stay Tuned!
In my next video, I’ll be heading back out to scout new locations and set up more trail cameras. If you’re interested in learning more about behind-the-scenes wildlife filmmaking, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, Filming The Wild. Also, if you’ve ever used trail cameras before, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
Until next time—keep exploring, stay curious, and happy filming!
