Any tips to keep bears from eating trail cams?

[Lightfoot]

If you have a hot tub or swimming pool, or know someone who does - take one of those chlorine tabs (or a few depending on the size) and wire them to or around the camera. Those will burn our noses and a bear's is way more sensitive than ours. They will avoid it, so forget about getting photos of bears. Most other animals don't seem to mind it much, from wandering distance anyway. Just keep it secure (make a wire cage around the chlorine tab), you don't want any creatures thinking its a giant tic tac, they won't be happy.

[DAD1965]

You might try a solar powered hot wire around the tree. It seems they aren't real fond of getting bit.

[PineMartyn]

Makarov and gasmandave are correct. Do not apply capsaicin oil or pepper spray to anything. Bears are strongly scent-driven animals and they will be attracted by this odor, not repelled by it. I once heard Kevin Callan (noted canoeist and canoe-camper) giving a talk and on the subject of bear avoidance he told a story about a novice camper who sprayed his tent with bear spray (ie: pepper spray) and when he returned from paddling, a bear was eating his tent - not searching inside it for food - eating the tent itself. Bear spray only works by irritating their eyes and nasal mucosa when sprayed directly at these sensitive areas.

Regrettably, I have no positive suggestions on how to prevent your cameras from being eaten by bears.

- Martin

[Steveo1o9]

I am afraid that many of these suggestions will make sure that you don't get pictures of any wildlife...

[stillscout1]

MOTH BALLS! But you'll have to catch a bunch of em.

[Sides]

Here is a link to a steel box made for the cameras. I use them but I don't have bears, just maggots.


http://www.camlockbox.com

[BushMetal]

give it something better than the camera to mess with and he wont even notice it.

something shiny maybe

[Hog On Ice]

wrapping barbed wire works for trail signs to keep the bears from eating the sign - might work for the camera - the portable electric fence idea is probably the best - I have a friend that uses that when camping in AK

[Joezilla]

I think I'm going to convert an old ammocan with some of the ideas I've had here. I've got a smaller one that fits perfect. I'll be checking it Tuesday to see if its still there. I'm hoping the briars I wrapped around it did a little. I pretty much ruled out peppers, as the thing ate a gas can and pepper tastes different than it feels in the eye. Apparently Gasoline does too..to bears.

[Airth]

You could probably rig one of those "motion-sensor-bathroom-air freshener-sprayer-things" with bear mace...

Those things always scare the $h#% out of me. You walk by and a loud "PSSSST" right by you.