I'm going to start a series of threads about about how best to use game cameras for general security, or just monitoring an important area. This series will apply to everything from your own property, to your neighborhood, to the border, to any public area. For me, it was all done on the TX/MX frontera, but this can be used anywhere.

This first thread will be about how NOT TO place game cams, which is probably the most critical aspect of the entire thing, in attempting to monitor an area. Some very significant do's & don'ts we learned along the way. From placement, to using dummy cams, different settings on the cams.

This was a very steep learning curve, as BP was the only game in town when it came to using cameras to monitor areas. And they wouldn't share a damn thing. Not locations, not how to do it, not best practices, not a damn thing.

BP wouldn't even to give you a heads up that a large group of IAs was heading directly to your house, with your family inside. Except for one guy. @BPUnion who do you serve? Do better next time.

Lastly, some significant credit goes to a TX DPS officer and just ONE unnamed BP agent. They each unofficially shared a lot of tips to get us going. And from there we shared a lot with each other. Pictures, new & better locations & techniques, blind spots, and updated each other on ever-shifting routes. Thank you guys for the cooperation.


So, bad camera placement. Several ways to get it wrong. With one in particular being absolutely terrible. And simultaneously the most likely way you'll set them up at first.

We live in a 3D world, with stuff all around and above us (duh); but most people typically only look at what is directly in front of them, & at eye-level. Guess where the worst place is for a "hidden" camera. And then guess where most people place "hidden" cameras. Yup. Eye-level, directly in the path of whatever you're wanting to get a pic of. Don't do that, for a whole host of reasons. And besides the very obvious "they'll see it".

If people see the camera, they WILL alter their behavior. If animals see it, or hear it (more likely), they'll alter their behavior. Sometimes you want that (this is a future thread). Sometimes you don't, and want them to just keep doing what they're doing.

I already posted this pic, but this is the only example I have of absolutely horrendous cam placement. Don't ever do this. It's not fooling anybody. At best, they'll just avoid the cam, and you'll think everything is fine. At worst, they come up behind it, take it down, take the batteries, sim card, SD card out, and fling it out into the heavy brush, to be found a couple years later. Yes, that has happened.

Was asked a great question about why we kept doing our catch/release ambush hunting of IAs, even though we knew they were going to be turned loose eventually. Multiple reasons. All having to do with security/safety. In the meantime, let’s welcome one of y’all’s new neighbors.
But first, we’re not looking for any kind of attention or attaboys. WE want YOU GUYS to know normal folks were out doing stuff. And that all of you are just as capable, and can do good effective stuff too.

Now that the high likelihood of Federal malicious prosecution is over, I'm going to start posting info on the Texas/Mexico Border, and what locals did to LAWFULLY protect our homes, families, neighbors, property, and livelihoods. Nobody is coming to save you. Do it yourself. The first group of Illegal Aliens (IAs) that we DOCUMENTED. We'd stopped, detained (under citizen's arrest powers for committing a felony), and turned over to law enforcement multiple IAs (30ish) prior to this. Waited 2 hours for LE, got bored, ASKED if they'd hold the sign