Wanted: trail camera trappers

Talk about it

Don’t put your trail camera way for the winter! As deer seasons are ending you may be thinking about storing your trail cameras. Instead put them to good use and some more fun.

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) would like your help in further documenting large predators in Minnesota and specifically where they reside.

More and more, hunters, wildlife watchers and the general public are hearing of mountain lion (cougar) sightings and wolves outside of the traditional wolf areas throughout Minnesota. Do cougars inhabit Minnesota’s landscape? Are there breeding populations of cougars in Minnesota? Are wolves populating southern MN?

Often deer hunter trail camera enthusiasts capture incidental photos of cougars and wolves passing through or investigating set ups intended to capture deer photos. What would happen if these camera owners tried to encourage visits by larger predators and scavengers? What animals could be captured on film by using a butchered deer carcass, a road kill or trapper’s skinned carcasses? In order to get the most out of the “bait," the MDHA suggests hanging it from a tree so it last longer and provides more photos of approaching target species. Perhaps taking tips from trappers and utilize various scents designed to attract predators.

With an army of camera trappers all over Minnesota the MDHA hopes to receive useful documentation and perhaps create dialogue about these magnificent predators that may be living in your back yard.

Please send your photos, noting the date of the photo taken and the nearest town to the sighting electronically to kimhanson@mndeerhunters.com if you would like to be contacted to provide more detailed information such as, GPS coordinates, legal land description please provide a phone number or e-mail address.

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