16 Nebraskaland • August-September 2023
IN THE FIELD
By Ryan Sparks
DIY TRAIL CAMERA MOUNT
It is the time of year when hunters
start thinking about deer and preparing
for the upcoming season. A part of
that process is placing trail cameras
to take an inventory of the deer on
the property you hunt. The right trail
camera in the right spot can be the
key to tagging the buck of a lifetime.
But getting a trail camera placed just
right is easier said than done. Trees
rarely grow perfectly straight, and
they are seldom the ideal diameter
for a trail camera strap. Screw-in trail
camera mounts are great for getting
your camera in exactly the right spot
and positioned at the perfect angle,
but they are expensive, often sold for
around $25.
Using materials commonly found
at most hardware stores, you can
make your own screw-in trail camera
mounts for less than $5. Even better,
the mount takes less than a minute to
assemble. Here's how to put it together.
Materials:
•
1
⁄4" x 3
3
⁄4" eye screw
•
1
⁄4" x 20 x 3" eye bolt
•
1
⁄4" wing nut
•
3
⁄8" x 1" hex bolt
•
3
⁄8" locking nut
•
3
⁄8" x 1
1
⁄4" fender washers (x3)
Directions:
•
Add a washer to the hex bolt.
•
Next, thread the eye screw onto
the bolt next to the first washer.
•
Add a second washer.
•
Add the eye bolt.
•
Add the third and final washer.
•
Lastly, screw the hex nut onto the
bolt.
•
Add the wing nut to the eye bolt,
screwing it on upside down so you can
use it to secure the trail camera later.
•
Tighten the nut to your desired
tension with a
9
⁄16 wrench or pliers. I like
it tight enough so it won't move under
the weight of a trail camera, but with
enough give that it allows adjustment
when mounting the camera.
Ryan Sparks is a freelance outdoor
writer and photographer. See more of his
work at sparksryan.com.
Try this DIY project to place your trail camera at the perfect angle. RYAN SPARKS
Optional: I like to spray my
trail camera mounts with flat
camouflage paint to remove the
shine of the metal.
NOTE: In Nebraska, it is illegal
to place trail cameras on private
property without permission from
the landowner.
