Outdoor Blog

How to Hide a Trail Camera

Published

6 years ago

April 14, 2020

When you’re out in the backcountry in the off-season you’ll be looking for some game trails and other great spots to set up a trail camera. A well set up trail camera can improve your hunting success as well as your understanding of the wildlife in the area. If your trail camera is not well hidden then it may not bear much fruit. There is no point putting time, effort, and money into a project if the success is going to be limited.

Trail cameras should blend into their natural surroundings so as to not disturb the deer and other animals that you are trying to capture. When hunting and interacting with wildlife in general you must always be aware of the sensitivity of the animals. The slightest changes to their environment are enough to spook. So anyone looking to set up a trail camera should always bear this in mind.

Not only should trail cameras be well hidden from animals they should be hidden from humans too. A camera placed in plain sight can easily be noticed and scooped up by someone looking to make a quick buck. Game cameras are expensive devices and many hunters have lost hundreds of dollars worth of technology from thieves. Imagine if you left your laptop or smartphone out in the forest in plain sight. You would be lucky if you returned a week later and it was still there.

Take your time scouting out the right trail

Before set-up

Before you get to the stage where it comes to hiding your trail camera you first need to do some scouting for a good location. Choose a forest or area that you are permitted to hunt in during the open season. If you just want to capture wildlife footage this shouldn’t matter but make sure that you avoid trespassing on private land when scouting. Forested areas tend to be ideal as trees are ideal hiding spots for trail cameras.

Once you have chosen an area to scout out, take a hike around the area. Keep a keen eye out for game trails while doing so. You will notice a degree of disruption to the undergrowth that is caused by animals walking over it. Now you need to determine whether or not it is a trail caused by deer humans or a predator that you don’t aim to hunt. Trails that deer have tread upon are often disrupted from the impact of hooves upon them. Whereas ones caused by predators are lighter due to paws spreading the animal’s weight out more evenly.

At times the differences between trails caused by deer and ones caused by humans can be less obvious. Pay particular attention to the distance between the lines that the feet have made. If you imagine a human’s footprints in the snow they tend to be approximately one behind the other. A deer’s hoof prints, on the other hand, are more dotted about and spread further apart.

As well as this, take a careful examination of any leaves that are lying on the ground. If they seem to be embedded into the ground then it is likely that deer pass over this trail. Their hooves will push the leaves deeper into the ground as they power their way through the undergrowth.

Another way to spot the difference is to look at the ground surrounding the trail. A trail that’s been produced by humans is likely to be flatter and more distinct. This is because of the flat soles of shoes and hiking boots creating an impact upon the ground. Deer, on the other hand, will place their feet time and time again in the same position due to their muscle memory placing them back into the same place when on that route.

Deer will continuously use the same trails for their whole lives. These trails link them between their sleeping areas, water source, and food plots. Many deer even stick to the same trails that the generations before them did. As long as it leads them to places that aid them in their survival they have no need to change it.

That is one of the beauties of finding a good game trail. You can keep returning to the same one year after year if there are many deer using it – just don’t get greedy when it’s open season! Once you have found a trail that you are fairly certain has been caused by deer it’s time to set up a trail camera to prove this.

Another thing to consider about the potential location is human traffic in the area. The best way to avoid having your trail camera stolen is to place your camera in an area where humans don’t tend to trek too often. You must make a fine balance between a place that is not likely to have humans walking past yet is also accessible for yourself. Deeper forest away from footpaths yet not too deep that you are going to get caught in the thicket is ideal. Also, when you are going to check on your camera make sure you are discreet about it so that no one spots you doing it and thinks to return to take it once you’re gone.

Tips to hide your camera, the camera itself

The next thing that you need to decide is what type of camera is best to keep it hidden. An infrared game camera is an excellent option as it is less obvious to both humans and to animals. These are used when there is a lack of direct sunlight in the area that your camera is located in and for some night vision shots when it is after dark. There is no bright flash thus both humans and animals cannot pick up on the camera’s presence when they are walking by when there is a lack of light.

There are various types of these cameras. No glow, low glow, and red glow. The no glow camera’s infrared light is not visible to humans or to animals so it should be strongly considered since there will be no light at all to give away its position. A low glow camera has a very faint light that comes from it. It is quite unlikely that a thief would notice it but it can always happen.

The red glows light is visible to the human eye and it can sometimes be obvious. Although they can give out better pictures these are best to place in areas where people seldom pass by. Many people actually use this type as home security cameras. This is because it is put in plain sight so that it deters burglars and trespassers from carrying out misdeeds.

Camouflage your game camera

A little bit of effort to place some camouflage on your game camera can go a long way in protecting it. There are various types that you can put on it and it is a simple yet effective way to ensure that your camera stays put.

One option for this is to buy a pre-camoflaged game camera. Take a good look at the colors on the camouflage pattern. You need to be sure that the colors are going to match to the terrain that your camera is going to placed in. Before you decide on this make sure you know the color of the trees that it’s going to be installed in. A bright green camera shall be no use if the rest of the foliage is dark brown.

The other option that you have is to create your own camouflage from the items that are lying around the forest. This has the distinct advantage that the leaves and thicket that you collect will be of the colors of that area. Now, this can be a delicate job and quite frustrating. It is best to pack some glue, tape, and sting for this so you can build it in a manner so that it won’t fall apart.

Carefully stick or attach various bits of foliage lying around to your game camera. You must be precise with this as to not cover your camera’s lens or its motion sensor. Any infliction to its line of sight can ruin your whole month’s long trail camera session. Just the slightest infringement over either of these can and will lead to blurred images or your camera’s SD card being full due to the motion sensor continuously going off.

One thing to bear in mind with your DIY foliage camouflage is that it will change color. The leaves and moss will die, turning them from green to brown so make sure that this shouldn’t have a big impact on it beforehand. One way to overcome this is by painting camouflage on your game camera yourself at home before you set out. Just ensure first that the paint is waterproof and will take a while before the rain damages it. Another option is to buy plastic plants as these will always retain their green colors.

Use the tools that nature has provided for you to make a hide for your trail camera from the surrounding thicket.

Placing your game camera at a good height

The optimum height for a game camera is often around three feet off the ground to capture deer from around their shoulder height. This is not the safest area though when it comes to potential thieves. If a camera is placed higher than a person’s eye level then it is much more likely to be safe. People hardly stare to the sky when they are walking, particularly in the forest when you could lose your footing very easily.

If your camera is placed around ten feet high this you’ll be high enough that it is not noticed by the common passerby. It also means that if it is a regular walker who may be tempted to swipe it that their temptation could subside if it means they have to climb to retrieve it. A camera within arms reach is much easier to take as there is little to no effort to do so. Just make sure that you’re fit enough and have the right kit to install it at height. We don’t want any injuries now.

Build a box

A box surrounding your camera will not only help to camouflage it. It will also add an extra layer of protection from the elements or if it should happen to fall from its elevated position. Not only that but it gives you more flexibility about where you can place your camera. If good branches to place it upon are scarce then a camera box can be nailed upon a tree trunk.

These are fairly simple to construct either at home or out in the forest. Now, a homemade one can be designed to look like a bird box. The trick with this one is to leave the camera in plain sight to anyone walking by. All they will see is a bird box that they assume that birds are nesting in.

It’s very unlikely that this will be tampered with. A normal passer-by who may be tempted by a game camera sitting at eye level wouldn’t even think about mindlessly destroying a bird box. Even common vandals are very unlikely to destroy it. Even though they may damage or steal your game camera, destroying a bird’s nest and killing its chicks for the sake of it is not something that many people’s consciences would permit.

A box can also be constructed to hide the camera further and not to place it in plain sight. Take a look in the woodland for dead trees from which you can construct a basic box to cover up your game camera with. Take an old tree stump or large bra get and clear out the inside. Next, carve out an opening so your camera’s lens and motion sensor have a clear line of sight. Your camera can be placed inside and then the top covered so that it looks as inconspicuous as possible.

Specifically designed lockboxes can also be purchased as a deterrent to thieves. These are not hidden as easily but are instead designed to be very hard to break into which deters the thieves. These are secured onto the tree trunk in a manner that would require bolt cutters or a hacksaw in order to break in to steal it. Although some people may try their hand at taking it, the majority won’t bother trying to interfere with this security system.

Build a dummy camera

If you’ve had a camera or two stolen or some of your hunting buddies have been warning you about thieves in the area, it could be a good idea to try and catch them out. A dummy camera can be purchased for a very cheap price and then placed in an obvious position as to catch the thieves attention for them to commit another theft. You should place your real trail camera in a very discreet location so as to not give away where the expensive kit is.

When you are next checking on it first look to see if the dummy camera is missing or has been tampered with. If so, check your real game camera’s photos to see if there is evidence of criminal activity and if the faces and clothing are obvious in the pictures. It’s now up to you what to do next. You can either hand the photos over to the authorities or you could print out the pictures around the woods so that the thief notices them and is scared off from the area. This sort of detective work can be a lot more fun than picking up footage from animals!

After all, no one will ever suspect that a game camera is in here, nor will the animals.

Final Verdict:

Setting up a game camera and waiting for the results is a long arduous process. You must scout out an area, find a good game trail, set up your game camera, and check on it time and time again to see if it is producing results. To have that camera stolen or obvious to the animals will ruin all of that hard work. It’s not just the price of the camera that matters here, it’s the time that you’ve invested into the setting up of that would really hurt if it were to be stolen.

As a hunter caution and patience are your two most important qualities. If you’re not cautious on the hunt you’ll lose the whitetail you’re after. If you’re not cautious with your game camera you may not get good footage or worst of all it could get stolen. Make sure you are cautious and follow our tips so as to not go through the pain of having all of your hard work undone.

Bonus tip: Check out this quick video to help you stop making silly mistakes that could affect your footage or even lose it all!

Outdoor Blog

How to Take Your Own Internet to Outdoor Events

Published

2 weeks ago

October 18, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

You’ve got the permits, the lineup, the stage design, and the crowd — but when it comes to WiFi, outdoor events can turn from dream festivals to data dead zones in minutes. Reliable connectivity is now as essential as power or sound. Whether it’s a music festival streaming to TikTok, a food fair using mobile POS systems, or a corporate brand activation relying on live dashboards, the internet connection is what keeps the gears turning.

But the truth is this: counting on venue WiFi at a large outdoor event is a gamble. Hundreds of devices fighting for the same bandwidth can jam up the signal before the headliner gets on stage. Public networks only have one backhaul connection, so your production crew, security cameras, and vendors could all be fighting with concert-goers streaming YouTube in the crowd.

So, if your aspiration is to keep the event chugging along like clockwork, the genius move is to bring your own internet — designed specifically for the occasion, private, and controlled by your event staff.

Why Venue WiFi Fails When Crowds Arrive

Let’s start with the numbers. According to Cisco’s 2024 Annual Internet Report, the average person now connects four to six devices at live events — phones, wearables, tablets, scanners, and streaming gear. Multiply that by 5,000 or 50,000 people, and you’re looking at a digital traffic jam.

Outdoor locations have a very minimal amount of wired infrastructure. The majority utilize older systems or common fiber links, which were not designed for thousands of users at once. When the signal is over-stretched, latency increases, access points fail, and the network grinds to a halt.

For event organizers, this is not only inconvenient — it’s a safety and revenue gamble. POS terminals won’t work. QR ticket scanners crawl. Even backup communication programs freeze.

The Smarter Solution: Creating Your Own Network

Constructing a stand-alone network for an outside event may seem daunting, but technology has made it relatively achievable. Instead of relying on one provider or tower, professional crews now use several sources of the internet to deliver redundancy and stability.

Outdoor WiFi specialists use multi-carrier cellular bonding, satellite uplinks, and WAN smoothing to keep traffic consistent even when one source is down. It’s a lot like having several water pipes feed one tank — if one pipe gets stopped up, others keep the flow consistent.

The best configuration depends on three variables:

Location: Urban park, remote valley, rooftop, or open desert all have different signal profiles and line-of-sight challenges.
Bandwidth Demand: Are you providing power to a 50-person AV crew or streaming to a million online viewers?
Duration: A day-long music festival versus a week-long brand tour will change the way you plan power, cooling, and redundancy.

Professional crews will often pre-deploy with site surveys — gauging carrier strength, spectrum congestion, and potential sources of interference such as LED walls or nearby broadcast towers.

Lessons from the Field

Outdoor WiFi would be a niche specialty, but in today’s world it’s simply part and parcel of modern event production. In the last decade, TradeShowInternet’s teams have helped support hundreds of big outdoor festivals and corporate activations, and there have been a few hard-won lessons along the way.

There was the time crews climbed a half mile up the flank of a Santa Fe mountain with over 200 pounds of gear to put in a solar-powered relay antenna for Red Bull’s Guinness World Record truck jump. A second assignment involved digging cable trenches through snake country in Los Angeles for Christian Dior’s fashion show.

When Univision taped La Banda on the beach in Miami, technicians climbed a 20-foot truss into a lightning storm to raise antennas. These are probably war stories, but they represent reality: each outdoor location introduces its own wildcards. Wind, weather, terrain, and local RF noise all push the limits of planning.

The lesson? Experience is as important as gear. Knowing when to use additional directional antennas, when to flip to satellite failover, or how to protect a router from 100-degree heat isn’t something you can read in a manual.

The Technical Side: How Redundant Networks Keep Events Alive

This is how seasoned outdoor internet crews engineer reliability into temporary networks:

Multi-Carrier Bonding: Equipment stitches together data from multiple cellular carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) to maximize bandwidth and fill signal gaps.

WAN Smoothing: Packets are duplicated and relayed on secondary paths to prevent noticeable drops or hiccups in live streams.
Satellite Integration: Especially when out at remote sites or in mountain events where cell phone reception is spotty.
5G + LTE Hybrid Units: Combining newer high-bandwidth 5G networks with more predictable LTE offers well-rounded throughput.
Portable Mesh Access Points: Create overlapping areas of WiFi that eliminate dead spots across vast grounds or over tented locations.
Power & Weather Protection: Ranging from Pelican case enclosures to solar power solutions, all of which ensure uptime regardless of adverse weather conditions.

It’s a multi-layer strategy — not one device straining the load, but several working in tandem to handle bandwidth, robustness, and coverage.

Why Your Vendors, AV Staff, and Guests All Need Their Own Network Layer

External events normally have three distinct user communities that require the internet:

Production and AV Personnel – operation of live feeds, mixing panels, lighting, and communications programs.
Vendors and POS Devices – card transaction processing, QR menus, and inventory software.
Guests and Media – posting, uploading, or taking part in brand interaction activity.

Mixing them all on one open WiFi is risky. It provides security vulnerabilities and causes too much congestion. The preferred method is network segmentation, creating separate virtual networks that prioritize mission-critical traffic (production, POS, security cameras) and restrict non-mission-critical use like social browsing.

This is exactly how professional outdoor WiFi & Internet solution companies like TradeShowInternet build event systems. They design bespoke topologies that match the unique demands of every event, whether a food festival, marathon, or big corporate activation.

Budgeting and Planning: What Organizers Should Know

According to EventMB’s 2024 Event Technology Report, 73% of event planners say maintaining a reliable connection is important to attendee happiness, yet less than half have a standalone internet budget in place upfront while planning. That’s a recipe for last-minute scrambling.

For all to run smoothly, the network plan needs to be created alongside stage design and power planning — not an afterthought.

Some planning advice:

Start early: Conduct site surveys at least 30 days ahead of the event.
Prioritize wired backbones: Use fiber or Ethernet in production areas whenever possible.
Segregate guest WiFi: Utilize bandwidth caps or sponsored captive portals to control usage.
Redundancy: Cellular + satellite bonding is well worth the investment for mission-critical space.
Post-event review: Collect performance data to inform next year’s plan.

Real-World Use Cases

Outdoor connectivity is not just for music festivals. It’s a necessity for:

Marathons and triathlons – for timing chips, live maps, and emergency co-ordination.
Outdoor conferences or summits – where executives require office-grade internet to make presentations.
Food truck festivals and markets – all vendors need POS access.
Film and TV productions – production villages rely on low-latency connections for uploads.
Races and motorsport events – telemetry, live scoring, and media streaming.

Each of these environments needs a different trade-off among coverage area, upload speed, and mobility.

Why Experience Matters for Outdoor Internet Installations

Each outdoor location is unique. Trees, humidity, metal buildings, even bodies of water can affect wireless performance. Having individuals who’ve done hundreds of installations means fewer surprises and faster repairs when something unexpected happens.

That’s where TradeShowInternet, a leading outdoor WiFi & Internet solution company, comes in. The company has built up networks on deserts, beaches, helipads, mountain ridges, and pop-up brand villages — keeping organizers, vendors, and AV teams connected wherever the event is hosted.

Outdoor Blog

Outdoor Event WiFi: The New Backbone of Open-Air Experiences

Published

2 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

A concert in the canyon. A film night under desert stars. A bustling waterfront food festival with 10,000 guests. Across the country, outdoor events are turning parks, coastlines, forests, and fields into memorable destinations. But there’s one service now as essential as power, permits, and porta-potties: outdoor event WiFi.

Whether for ticket scanning, mobile POS systems, sponsor activations, or live-streaming performances, WiFi for outdoor events has become the invisible support that keeps everything running. Without it, payments stall, communication falters, and digital engagement stops.

Why Outdoor Event WiFi Is Mission-Critical

The outdoor events sector, from farmers’ markets to endurance races, is growing quickly. Allied Market Research predicts global festival revenues will exceed $50B by 2030. These venues offer unique charm, but they also pose a challenge: a lack of built-in internet infrastructure.

“Outside doesn’t mean offline,” says Emma Castillo, a production manager for festivals, film nights, and open-air corporate launches. “We rely on temporary internet for outdoor events to manage our security communications, allow vendors to keep selling, and ensure our livestreams don’t drop.”

Cellular service can struggle with the demands of thousands of devices. Some remote locations may not have any service at all. That’s where outdoor event WiFi solutions come in—portable, scalable, and designed for unpredictable weather.

How Outdoor Internet Keeps Events Moving

Today’s outdoor events rely on connectivity in ways that go far beyond letting guests post on social media:

Mobile POS & Cashless Payments – No signal means lost revenue for vendors.
RFID & Access Control – Real-time validation at gates and VIP areas.
Streaming & Social Content – From TikTok reels to sponsor livestreams.
Sponsor Engagement – QR contests, AR activations, and digital signage updates.
Safety & Logistics – Staff communication, emergency alerts, GPS tracking.

A recent Event Manager Blog study found 63% of sponsors now require guaranteed internet access before committing. Attendees want it too; more than half say connectivity is a key factor in their event satisfaction.

Outdoor Event WiFi Solutions in Action: “Lights on the Lake”

In June, the lakeside town of Lakeshore hosted a three-day open-air film festival. The views were stunning, but no wired internet was available, and mobile service barely worked.

The technical crew set up:

Multi-carrier 5G bonding for vendor and guest networks
Long-range weatherproof access points covering the pier and food court
A private secure network for organizers and emergency staff
A satellite uplink for backup

The festival processed thousands of transactions, streamed Q&A sessions with international filmmakers, and even operated a live voting app without a single connectivity failure.

Industry Perspective: Connectivity as a Core Utility

According to WiFit founder Matt Cicek, changes in event technology priorities have been significant:

“Five years ago, internet at an outdoor event was seen as a nice-to-have. Now, it’s as essential as running water and electricity. From safety coordination to sponsor returns, there’s too much at stake to leave it to chance.”

The Future of Temporary Internet for Outdoor Events

As events become more complex, WiFi for outdoor events from service providers like WiFit will play an even larger role. Expect advancements like:

Solar-powered network kits for sustainable operations
AI-managed bandwidth that adjusts to real-time crowd size
Edge computing for instant AR and interactive attractions

For event planners, the message is clear: the quality of your internet connection is as important as your stage, lighting, or sound system. The next time you’re booking a venue, remember—the crowd may be watching the performers, but they’re also looking at their screens. They expect both to work perfectly.

Outdoor Blog

Gear You Should Snag for the Great Outdoors This Season

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

Caleb Cole

Outdoor enthusiasts know that having the right gear can make all the difference. Whether you’re hiking, camping, hunting, or engaging in any other outdoor activity, quality equipment ensures not only safety but also a better overall experience. As we head into a new season, it’s time to refresh your gear collection with essential items that will enhance your adventures. In this article, we’ll explore five pieces of must-have outdoor gear, focusing on both practicality and comfort.

Shooting Glasses Are Essential for Outdoor Adventures

If you’re heading out for a shooting range session or a hunting trip, investing in a quality pair of shooting glasses is non-negotiable. Eye protection is critical when engaging in any activity involving firearms, and shooting glasses are designed to keep your eyes safe from potential hazards like debris, shell casings, and even harmful UV rays.

Shooting glasses are a key safety measure that helps shield your eyes from impact and glare. The lenses are typically made from high-impact resistant materials that can endure tough conditions, making them a must-have for hunters, target shooters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Beyond safety, these glasses often come with polarized lenses to improve visibility in various lighting conditions. By incorporating shooting glasses into your outdoor gear, you’re ensuring not only better safety but also improved performance during your time in the wilderness.

What Should You Look For During Black Friday Hunting Gear Deals?

One of the best times to stock up on essential outdoor gear is during Black Friday. Black Friday hunting gear deals provide an opportunity for hunters to snag high-quality items at significantly reduced prices. Whether you’re after apparel, backpacks, or specialized equipment, Black Friday sales often feature steep discounts on top brands that every outdoor enthusiast should take advantage of.

This sale season is ideal for upgrading your hunting wardrobe and stocking up on essential gear that may normally be out of your price range. From weather-resistant jackets to durable boots and base layers, hunting gear can be pricey, and Black Friday is the perfect time to invest in the best equipment. By keeping an eye out for deals during this shopping period, you can save money while ensuring you’re well-prepared for your next big adventure.

Multi-Tools Are a Must-Have

Want to know the most versatile pieces of gear you can carry? It is a multi-tool. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or hunting, having a tool that can serve multiple functions is a game-changer. Multi-tools come equipped with a variety of features such as knives, screwdrivers, pliers, and scissors, all compactly housed in a single device that easily fits in your pocket or pack.

The practicality of a multi-tool is hard to beat. It allows you to tackle unexpected tasks, from cutting rope to repairing gear, all without needing to carry a full toolbox. When you’re out in the wild, you want to be prepared for anything, and a multi-tool ensures you’re ready to handle small emergencies or make quick fixes with ease.

Insulated Water Bottles Can Improve Your Outdoor Experience

Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of any outdoor activity. Whether you’re embarking on a long hike or spending hours in a hunting blind, having an insulated water bottle can make a difference. Insulated bottles have features that help to keep your drinks at the desired temperature for a long time, which is especially useful during extreme weather conditions.

These bottles maintain the temperature of your beverage—whether cold or hot—so you can enjoy refreshing water in the summer or a warm drink during chilly morning hunts. Insulated water bottles are also typically made from durable materials, meaning they can withstand the rigors of outdoor use without breaking or leaking. Investing in a high-quality insulated bottle ensures that you stay hydrated and comfortable throughout your outdoor excursions.

Durable Backpacks Can Enhance Your Outdoor Experience

A good backpack is the cornerstone of any successful outdoor trip. When you’re out in nature, you need a reliable, durable pack to carry all of your gear comfortably. Look for backpacks that are built to withstand harsh conditions, provide ample storage, and have ergonomic designs that distribute weight evenly to prevent strain on your back and shoulders.

Modern outdoor backpacks come equipped with multiple compartments to help you stay organized, as well as specialized features like hydration bladder compatibility, rain covers, and reinforced straps. By investing in a durable, well-designed backpack, you’ll have the capacity to carry everything you need—whether it’s extra clothing, food, or hunting gear—while maintaining comfort during long treks.