Camera Placement 101 – Part 2
So where does the camera go, and how is it mounted?
The camera can be mounted on a tree, a T-post, or on a wooden post. (Jager Pro offers T-post mounting brackets that make installation on a t-post quick and easy.) Of course, there are positive and negative aspects to each type of installation. Therefore, the application can be chosen based on your landscape.
A few things to consider when deciding on installation.
  •  The camera mount should be 12” away from the panel. Hogs ramming against the panels cause a natural flex to absorb and disperse energy. Keeping the 12” buffer should avoid the collision of panel and mount.
  • The mount should be aligned directly across from the gate, outside the 12:00 panel.
  • We highly recommend MINE Control Cameras be mounted at least 10 feet from the ground.
  • Your view should include as much of the interior trap as possible, and the 8’ opening of the gate. As previously mentioned, from the control box down.
After many years of experimenting with various installations, Hog Cutters has devised a system that works perfectly for installing MINE Control cameras at our trap sites. This assembly incorporates all the suggestions we have made and is easily accomplished with a few hand tools. Our installation also decreases interference by ants, squirrels, and other tree dwelling creatures.
Hog Cutters uses an 8’ 4×4 wooden post, with an attached 8’ 2×4 to mount our MINE cameras. The 2 posts are lag bolted together, so transport can be easily accommodated. Your MINE camera can then be attached to the 2×4 with a screw in camera mount available from most hardware or farm supply store.
At your trap site, a manual post-hole digger is all we use to create a 2’ deep hole for the 4×4 post. The 4×4 is dropped into the hole and back filled. Due to the portable nature of the trap system, we do not use any type of post setting product for the camera mount. For our purposes, backfilling is the only necessary anchoring for your posts. The 2×4 extends 10 feet above the ground, well above the height of the trap panels. (See photo)
One additional option we have devised, is a small section of plywood attached to the top of the 2×4 post. While your MINE camera is designed for sun and storm, this panel provides us with a few benefits.
  1.  Birds will inevitably land on your mounting post. We have found adding the platform gives your feathered friends a nice place to perch without landing on your camera. Which often leads to either shifting your field of vision or leaving their leavings on your lens.
  2.  The platform is additionally useful for camera installation or maintenance while raining. It provides a shield to internal components exposed during battery changes, programming, etc.
Your camera system is the most important link between you and your trap site. Using it properly and to its full potential can make or break your chances at catching the sounders intruding on your property.