Buying a trail camera is half the job. Mounting it correctly is the other half. A camera aimed too high captures nothing but treetops. A camera left unsecured on an exposed strap gets knocked loose by a curious bear or walked off with by the first person who spots it. Getting the placement, height, and mounting hardware right from the start means your camera actually captures what you set it up to see.
This guide covers the full range of trail camera mounting options, from basic tree straps to pivoting tree mounts, ground stakes for open fields, multi-surface brackets for gates and fence posts, and the security hardware that keeps a camera from disappearing during a long deployment.
| Mount | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Moultrie Camera Strap | Quick setups, frequent moves | No security, fastest install |
| HME Better Trail Camera Tree Mount | Seasonal setups, precise angle control | 360° pivot, 1/4″-20 thread |
| Adfitjo 3-in-1 Aluminum Ground Mount | Open fields, food plots, no trees nearby | Foldable, 360° rotation, ground stake |
| Dosarzo Trail Camera Mount | Gates, fence posts, walls | Screw-in or strap, dual install method |
| Master Lock Python Cable | Any setup in theft-prone areas | Security add-on, not a standalone mount |
Think About Mounting Before You Buy
The best time to think about how you will mount your trail camera is before you buy 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 once it is already secured to a tree or post.
Also consider how long the camera will stay 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, so 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. The second is theft. A camera at eye level is easy to spot and easy to grab. Both issues are addressed 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 the 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 up and down, which lets you dial in the exact angle you need after the mount is already 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 locking knob holds the angle firmly in place once you have the frame you want.
This mount is particularly useful for action cameras pressed into service 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, keeping it out of reach of both curious animals and casual passersby. For more on that setup, see our GoPro hunting mounts guide.
Ground Mount: When There Is No Tree
Food plots, fence lines, open fields, and backyard setups often do not have a convenient tree anywhere near the spot you actually want to monitor. A ground stake mount solves that problem by giving you a standalone stand that does not depend on a trunk at all.
The Adfitjo 3-in-1 Aluminum Ground Mount is a foldable stake that inserts directly into the ground and provides full 360-degree rotation along with adjustable tilt. It breaks down into sections for transport, which matters if you are setting up multiple cameras across a property in a single trip. Because it uses the same universal 1/4″-20 thread as the tree mounts above, the same camera can move between a tree mount and this ground stake depending on where you need coverage that week.
The tradeoff with any ground stake is stability in soft or sandy soil. In firm ground, it holds steady. In looser soil, push it in deeper than feels necessary and check it after the first heavy rain.
Multi-Surface Mount: Gates, Posts, and Walls
Not every good camera position is a tree or open ground. Gates, metal fence posts, barn walls, and shed siding are all common spots where hunters want a camera, but a tree strap will not wrap around them and a ground stake has nothing to dig into.
The Dosarzo Trail Camera Mount handles this gap with two installation methods built into one bracket: screw it directly into a wall or post, or use the included strap to wrap it around a gate rail or fence post. The 360-degree adjustable head means the mounting method does not limit your aiming options. This is the pick to reach for when your best vantage point is a structure rather than a tree.
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, and it works alongside any of the mounts above rather than replacing them.
The Master Lock Python Cable 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 a 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 ten seconds to remove. A cable lock creates exactly that friction. Pair it with a camera positioned slightly off the obvious path for a meaningfully reduced theft risk.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What height should I mount a trail camera?
Waist height, roughly three to four 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 mount a trail camera if there is no tree nearby?
A ground stake mount, like the Adfitjo 3-in-1 Aluminum Ground Mount, solves this by inserting directly into open ground and offering full rotation and tilt without needing a trunk to strap to. It works well for food plots, fence lines, and open fields.
How do I stop my trail camera from being stolen?
A Master Lock Python Cable looped through the camera’s lock bracket and around a tree trunk or post 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 considerably more than a budget trail camera if it gets stolen or damaged. For short-term or supervised setups, it is an excellent option, and the HME pivot mount’s 1/4″-20 thread fits it directly.
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.
