How to Silence Homebrew Trail Cameras

Trail cameras are proving increasingly useful in tracking animal populations, monitoring patterns of behavior and observing elusive species. Trail camera assemblies typically include a motion sensor "trip," a flash, a casing and an automatic shutter. Dampening the sound that a camera makes can help you capture the shot without scaring away the animals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Screwdriver
Chalk
Rubber Mat
Utility Knife
Packing Tape
Sound Foam
Straw
Measuring Tape

Step 1

Remove your trail camera from its casing. Depending upon the construction, this may require a screwdriver.

Step 2

Take pictures and listen for sounds. Cameras make very specific noises, often related to very specific processes within the camera. You will want to identify those problem areas that are likely to make noise. The noise a camera makes immediately after taking a picture, particularly if you are using film, is often the most noticeable. Other noises to look for include any servos involved in auto-focusing and the click made by the lens itself while taking a picture.

Step 3

Mark with chalk those areas that produce the noises.

Step 4

Tape rubber mat over problem areas. Rubber mat is useful in soundproofing because it is thin, flexible and effective. Use your utility knife to cut the mat into strips that can be wrapped around noise-producing portions of your camera. For example, a narrow strip of rubber mat can be wrapped around the camera lens and along the metal seams on the camera casing.

Step 5

Return the camera to the casing and outline in chalk the footprint made on the casing's inner walls. The footprint of your camera will be determined by those points where the camera makes direct contact with the inside of the casing. Remove the camera from the casing and fill in any footprints with a thick layer of chalk.

Step 6

Cut six rectangles of sound foam to the dimensions of inner walls of the casing. Foam is useful because its dimensions can be reduced without damaging the nature of the material, unlike multi-layer sound padding or air bladders. While specialized sound-proofing foam can be purchased, any form of closed-cell foam would help alleviate noise.

Step 7

Press each rectangle of sound foam against its corresponding inner wall within the camera enclosure. This will transfer the chalk footprints that you filled in to the foam surface.

Step 8

Use the utility knife to cut the footprints out of the foam. You should now have six pieces of closed-cell foam that enclose the camera.

Step 9

Enclose the camera, surrounded by its foam guards, back in the casing. The cut-out footprints will ensure that the camera can fit, while continuing to insulate most of the camera body.

Resources

Article Written By Louie Doverspike

Based in Seattle, Louie Doverspike has been a professional writer since 2004. His work has appeared in various publications, including "AntiqueWeek" magazine, the "Prague Post" and "Seattle Represent!" Doverspike holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hamilton College.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...