Trail cams are becoming increasingly popular, and the best cellular game cams make it easy for hunters to track specific animals and learn details about their behavior, from feeding times to movement patterns. While cheap game cams may be easy to use, hunters need to be aware that states in the upper Midwest govern their use differently. In some cases, laws for using game cams are changing, meaning that cam users need to stay updated on these changes.
This blog looks at state laws regarding trail cam use in the upper Midwest.
Why Do States Have Laws Against Trail Cams for Hunting?
Trail cam laws have been implemented in various states as these devices become more popular. There are several reasons why laws have been passed:
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Fair chase: Many states consider the use of trail cameras, especially those with real-time transmission capabilities, to provide an unfair advantage to hunters.
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Wildlife disturbance: Frequent visits to check and maintain trail cameras can disturb wildlife and their habitats.
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Privacy concerns: Trail cameras placed on private property without permission raise privacy issues, and there are concerns about monitoring people in public areas.
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Overcrowding and territory marking: On public lands, some hunters use trail cameras to claim territory, deterring other hunters from using certain areas.
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Illegal activities: There have been reports of vegetation removal and other unlawful or unethical activities associated with trail camera placement.
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Theft and misuse: As the number of trail cameras increases, so do reports of camera theft and misuse.
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Tech advancements: There is debate about using cellular trail cameras that send real-time information to hunters.
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Conservation and management: Some states worry that excessive use of trail cameras may interfere with wildlife management efforts.
Upper Midwest Trail Cam Laws, by State
Iowa Game Cam Laws
Iowa is currently looking at making significant changes to its trail camera regulations. While not yet implemented, proposed restrictions include:
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Banning trail cameras left overnight on public land
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Potentially restricting cellular trail cameras during hunting season on both public and private land
These proposed changes have sparked debate among Iowa hunters, and the final regulations may be subject to further revisions.
The current law in Iowa states, “You cannot use a one or two-way mobile radio transmitter, including cell phones and cellular trail cameras capable of sending images or video while actively hunting, to communicate the location or direction of game or furbearing animals, or to coordinate the movement of other hunters.”
Minnesota Game Cam Laws
While cellular trail cams can be used on public lands in Minnesota, any cam left more than 14 days is considered abandoned. There has been talk of new regulations that would limit the use of drones and hunting based on an image received from a cellular trail camera.
Wisconsin Game Cam Laws
Trail cams can only be used in areas where hunting is allowed and cannot be used in county parks, campgrounds, beaches, and buildings.
Michigan Game Cam Laws
Permission must be obtained before placing trail cams on private property, and it is not permitted to put trail cams on military bases or property.
North Dakota Game Cam Laws
In North Dakota, trail cameras may not be put up before August 20 and must be taken down by Jan. 31 of the following year. As in other states, game cams cannot be placed on private property without permission from the landowner, and any game cams left unattended must have an ID tag readable from the ground that includes the owner’s name, address, and phone number. The state website gf.nd.gov has a portal to generate an equipment registration number.
South Dakota Game Cam Laws
Trail cams are prohibited in South Dakota on private lands leased by the state without permission of the landowner or the lessee. The name and address or phone number of the owner or user, or name and customer ID number of the owner, must be placed on the exterior of any unattended trail camera.
Nebraska Game Cam Laws
There do not appear to be any game cam laws in Nebraska.
Illinois Game Cam Laws
In Illinois, permission must be obtained from the landowner or tenant before placing a trail cam on private lands. There are no restrictions for game cam placement on state-owned or state-managed lands, or on municipal property. Permission to place game cams is usually valid through Dec. 31 of each year, and it is recommended that identification labels be placed on cams. Cam owners are responsible for any damage caused by the game cam or its accessories.
What’s Ahead for Game Cam Laws?
As technology advances and concerns about fair chase and wildlife disturbance grow, it's possible that more states in the Upper Midwest will consider implementing trail camera regulations. Opinions around the proposed regulations in Iowa show, with many local hunters complaining that out-of-state hunters leave trail cams in the Hawkeye State to inform their hunt and forgo scouting, and that cameras in general mean hunters can hunt more successfully with less skill since the use of a cam can mean less time in a stand.
As with any issue, game cam owners will need to stay on top of proposed and pending legislation, which can change at any time.