Trail cams

The debate over how to handle the use of trail cameras by hunters in the state of Arizona has been brewing for some time. A number of measures and moves have been put into place over the last several years to better manage the use of trail cameras in the state. 

However, a recent decision by a 5-member commission delivers a soon-coming end to the use of such cameras for scouting and hunting efforts by sportsmen. 

On June 11, 2021, the Arizona Game and Fish Department Commission voted unanimously to ban trail cameras “for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife, or locating wildlife for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife.” 

The 5-member commission made the decision after months of feedback from hunters across the state, as well as around the country. Hunters will be allowed to use trail cameras for the remainder of 2021, before the ban goes into effect on January 1, 2022.

Why Ban Trail Cams?

In a recent interview with Field & Stream, Game and Fish Commission chair, Kurt Davis, said that the use of trail cams has become increasingly problematic. “We are a state with a large and growing hunter population,” he said. “We’re also in the midst of a historic 20-year drought that focuses game movement on water sources.”

“There are 3,100 water catchments in the state, the vast majority of which are on public land and all are mapped,” he said. “When people start placing and checking cameras on those limited water sources, there are going to be conflicts.”