Buying a trail camera is half the fun. Mounting it correctly is the other half. A camera aimed too high captures nothing but treetops. A camera left unsecured gets stolen or knocked off by a curious bear. Getting the placement, height, and mounting hardware right from the start means your camera captures what you actually want to see.
This guide covers everything hunters need to know about mounting a trail camera, including strap mounts, pivot tree mounts, security cable locks, and tips for avoiding the two most common problems: poor camera angle and theft.
Think About Mounting Before You Buy
The best time to think about how you will mount your trail camera is before you purchase it. The mounting method affects which camera works best for your situation. A camera with no pivot or tilt adjustment needs to be placed at exactly the right height from the start. A camera with a pivoting head gives you more flexibility in placement.
Also consider how long the camera will be outdoors. A setup left in the field for a few days is a different situation from one that stays out through an entire season. Longer deployments mean more weather exposure, more theft risk, and more reason to invest in a secure mounting solution rather than a basic strap.
Camera Height: Why Waist High Works
Most trail cameras do not pivot or tilt after installation. For a fixed camera, waist height is the right placement for capturing deer and most other game. Deer are not much taller than a person at the shoulder. A camera strapped to a tree at waist height captures the animal’s full body and face at close range. A camera mounted 15 or 20 feet up the same tree captures the tops of the deer’s antlers at best and tree canopy at worst.
There are two complications with waist-high mounting. The first is bears. They are curious and strong, and a camera at waist height is within easy reach of their claws. Use heavy-duty straps and consider a security case if you are in bear country. The second complication is theft. A camera at eye level is easy to spot and easy to grab. We cover both solutions below.
Basic Strap Mount
The simplest and most common way to mount a trail camera is with a tree strap. Most trail cameras ship with a basic strap included. These straps run through a slot or bracket on the back of the camera and wrap around the tree trunk. They are quick to install and adjust, which makes them the go-to choice for temporary setups or scouting runs where you may be moving the camera frequently.
The Moultrie Camera Strap is a reliable upgrade over the basic strap included with most cameras. It measures 8 feet long, which fits comfortably around most tree trunks including larger diameter trees that shorter straps cannot reach. The buckle system allows quick adjustment and holds firmly once set. The downside of any strap-only setup is that it offers no security. Anyone who walks past the tree can remove the camera in seconds with no tools required.
Pivot Tree Mount: Better Angle Control
For hunters who want more control over camera angle without repositioning the entire strap, a dedicated pivot tree mount is a better solution. The HME Better Trail Camera Tree Mount screws directly into the tree with a single lag screw and provides a pivoting arm that holds the camera away from the bark.
The camera head rotates a full 360 degrees and tilts 120 degrees up and down. That range of motion lets you dial in the exact angle you need after the mount is secured to the tree. The mount uses a standard 1/4-20 tripod thread, which fits the bottom of virtually every trail camera currently on the market. A cam locking knob holds the camera angle firmly in place once you have the frame you want.
This mount is particularly useful for action cameras used as temporary trail cameras. Because the head pivots freely, you can place the mount higher on the tree and angle the camera downward toward the trail. That elevated placement keeps the camera out of reach of both curious animals and casual passersby.
Security: Protecting Your Camera From Theft
A trail camera left in the woods for weeks or months is a theft risk regardless of where you hunt. The unwritten rule among hunters about respecting each other’s gear is not universally observed. A security cable adds a meaningful deterrent without much extra weight or cost.
The Master Lock Python Cable Lock is the most widely recommended security solution for trail cameras. The cable is made from braided steel with a vinyl coating that resists rust and corrosion in outdoor conditions. The 6-foot length is long enough to loop around most trees and through the camera’s lock bracket or security box. The keyed lock is camouflage patterned to blend with the surroundings.
The cable is cut-resistant but not cut-proof. Someone with the right tools and enough time can get through it. What it does effectively is eliminate the quick grab. A thief walking a trail who spots a camera will move on if it takes more than 10 seconds to remove. A cable lock creates exactly that friction. Pair it with a camera positioned slightly off the obvious path for a significantly reduced theft risk.
Using an Action Camera as a Trail Camera
A GoPro or similar action camera can serve as a temporary trail camera with the right mount. Action cameras produce significantly better video quality than most dedicated trail cameras. The tradeoff is battery life and theft risk since a GoPro costs considerably more than a budget trail camera.
The HME pivot tree mount works with action cameras since it uses a standard 1/4-20 thread. A GoPro-to-1/4-20 adapter, which is inexpensive and widely available on Amazon, connects the camera to the mount. The pivot head lets you place the mount higher on the tree and angle the camera downward, giving you a cleaner view of the trail below while keeping the camera less visible from ground level. For a full overview of GoPro hunting mounts see our GoPro hunting mounts guide.
Trail Camera Mount Comparison
| Mount Type | Our Pick | Best For | Security Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tree Strap | Moultrie Camera Strap | Quick setups, frequent moves | None |
| Pivot Tree Mount | HME Tree Mount | Seasonal setups, angle control | Low without cable |
| Security Cable | Master Lock Python Cable | Any setup in theft-prone areas | High deterrent |
More Hunting Mount Guides
- GoPro Hunting Mounts — tree stands, bow mounts and trail camera use with a GoPro
- Phone Mounts for Hunters — tree stand clamps, gooseneck mounts and bow phone mounts
- GoPro Fishing Mount Guide — for the fish hunter
- Outdoor Home Security Camera Mount Guide — overview of the best home security camera mounts
Frequently Asked Questions
What height should I mount a trail camera?
Waist height, roughly 3 to 4 feet off the ground, works best for most fixed trail cameras. At that height the camera captures deer and most game at close range with a clear full-body frame. Fixed cameras mounted higher than that tend to capture sky and treetops rather than animals.
How do I stop my trail camera from being stolen?
A Master Lock Python Cable looped through the camera’s lock bracket and around the tree trunk is the most practical deterrent. It will not stop a determined thief with cutting tools but it eliminates the quick grab, which accounts for the majority of trail camera theft. Placing the camera slightly off the obvious path also reduces visibility.
Can I use a GoPro as a trail camera?
Yes, with limitations. A GoPro produces much better video quality than most trail cameras. The tradeoffs are battery life and cost. A GoPro is not designed for days-long unattended deployment and costs significantly more than a budget trail camera if it gets stolen or damaged. For short-term or supervised setups it is an excellent option.
Does the HME tree mount fit all trail cameras?
It fits any trail camera with a standard 1/4-20 threaded insert on the bottom, which covers the vast majority of trail cameras currently on the market. Check your camera’s spec sheet for the thread size if you are unsure. Action cameras like GoPro need a small 1/4-20 adapter to connect to the mount.
How long can a trail camera stay mounted outdoors?
A well-mounted trail camera with fresh batteries and a large memory card can stay in the field for several months. Use a weather-resistant camera housing for extended deployments. Check the camera every few weeks to swap batteries, clear the memory card, and verify the angle has not shifted due to tree movement or animal contact.
