StealthCam–See What You’re Missing

This P12 has been outside since early February. None the worse for wear.

6.0  Megapixel
Video recording 15 seconds
12 IR Emitters / 50ft range
Quick Set
Burst Mode 1-6 images per triggering
5-59 sec / 0- 59 min recovery time out
External LCD status display
Time / Date / Moon Phase
SD Card slot up to 32GB
Test Mode
Low Battery indicator
Mini USB output
Operates on 8 AA batteries or external 12V power jack

The StealthCam P12 is an affordable way to get a solid jump on the upcoming hunting season. At this time of year, especially, when food is plentiful and the whitetail are all pcking on pounds for the winter, it can be useful to see where and what they are eating. With a couple of months worth of scouting opportunities, I like to set out my cameras on a steady rotation to get as much information as I can, and that’s where a good game camera is invaluable. Unless you plan on camping out for a couple of months, this is the way to go.

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The P12 offers a number of presets for photo and video that are easy to dial up, once you know what they are.

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The P12 runs on 8 AA batteries. This unit has been outside for more than six months on the same set of batteries.

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The camera records video and still photos. I received this unit back in February and have been testing it out ever since. With most gear reviews, I can go to the range once or twice and put together a reasonable impression. Not a game cam, though. I like to have a long term period of testing before I give my endorsement. There’s a lot that can go wrong with a devise like this.

After more than six months in the field, I’m finally ready to weigh-in on the P12.

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The control panel is protected by the lid, which snugs shut on a gasket.

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It is a good idea to close the lid, though I left this one like this for two weeks (accidentally) and it was fine.

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To begin, I’d like to comment on the unit’s durability. It is solid, easy to use, and well protected from the elements. After one set up, I left the unit open. I’m still not sure how I got so distracted, but it was early enough in the testing that I thought I had fried the P12. It snowed pretty good, and the P12 sat exposed for two whole weeks before I went back to check the card. Oops. But I took it inside and shook it dry and put it back outside. Not recommended, but it didn’t kill the P12 either.

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The passing tractor shows the depth out to the tree line (at about 400 yards).

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The same image at night shows the range of the cam in full on darkness. I forgot to set the time/date stamp, so it is a year off.

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I placed the unit is several strategic locations, just to see what was hanging around the house. Whitetail, for sure. I live on a big patch of open acreage at the time and we had a pretty good herd of does that hung around right outside the house. The presence of the camera didn’t bother them at all, though they are pretty habituated to our presence.

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What is it that’s living in the chicken coop?

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The same angle in the daylight shows off the detail in the P12’s depth of field.

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The camera can catch a wide angle, or a narrow area close to the lens. I set it up in the abandoned chicken house, hoping to see what was making these odd tracks I kept finding in the dirt on the floor. All I caught was the stray cat. After two weeks in the house, these were the only two photos, though there were lots of new tracks farther from the camera. My thought is that the critters may have been able to smell the newness of the camera, or me on it, and hung back, too far out of reach for the camera to catch them in the dark.

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The P12 belts to a tree or post, thanks to these built in belt loops.

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I was hoping for el Chupacabra, but all I got was a bug-eyed whitetail doe.

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The loops on the back of the P12 show some real thought. They are mostly flat, but have a tubular hole, too. This allows you to use the strap that came with the P12, or a piece of rope, or a small cable to lock it down (if that’s an issue). Deer may not walk off with your camera, but I’ve heard of bears playing with them, and two-legged snakes are known to steal them.

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Any movement, like swaying treetops, will trigger the cam, though this time it was a nice doe.

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Bit if the trees aren’t moving, something else may be.

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When I put the P12 out on the edge of the pine saplings, I picked up a lot more photos. Not of deer, but the movement of the treetops and the shifting of shadows. This was the only camera placement that proved to be a pain to sort out. I had hundreds of photos of trees. But once I started to read the tree-tops, I learned which photos had something hidden that might be worth seeing.

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You may have to look hard, but there’s bound to be something to see.

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How many whitetail can you count in this photo?

[/one_half_last]I’d left the camera out for three months in one location, in the hopes of catching a bear. I know he’s there. We have a monumental blackberry patch that he can’t resist. I see his scat frequently, and I’ve seen other sign, but I’ve yet to catch sight of him. Despite my efforts, he’s alluded me still.

But not this opossum. I’ve got his number.

Check out StealthCam. Since they sent this model, they’ve made several updates, and now have cameras with even more functionality. The P12 sells for around $70. That is an incredible value. In this basic form, you will have to hike out to pick up the images from the SD card. Some see this as a liability, and want wireless connectivity. Maybe. I’m not sold on wireless yet. I will take any excuse I can find to get out to to the woods, and the more time I spend where I plan to hunt, the better.