Trail cameras are valuable tools for anyone who maintains a large property, enjoys watching wildlife or likes to hunt. Depending on where you live, wildlife cameras can give you a close view of elusive species, like mountain lions and bears. Gone are the days when you had to crouch in the bushes for hours with binoculars to learn about the regular travel routes of animals in your area. Outdoor cameras can even solve mysteries around your property, like who or what has been breaking into the dumpster and how.
Depending on the kind of outdoor camera you choose, your device can use motion detection to start recording or take time-lapse footage, capturing images at consistent intervals. The second option is fun if you want to see something take shape or grow—for instance, if you want to record a bird building a nest in the backyard or a tree coming into bloom.
Among the tips on what to look for in the best trail cameras are durability, versatility and connectivity. A cellular trail camera can connect directly to your phone for ease of use. For some uses, you may also enjoy a trail camera that records audio.