Would it be illegal to booby-trap the cameras? Nothing that causes extreme damage to the thief, but enough to make him never want to do it again? Enough to make him warn other would be trail cam thieves. Say, something strong enough to just damage the camera and the hands holing it?
I had my fave camera "grow feet" and walk out of the woods. Haven't used one since. Man it sure was nice to see all the deer walking around (that I never saw lol).
The cops never find the guy anyway....how would they know that was my camera? How would they know I rigged it? Is the crook gonna go to the cops and say, "I went to steal this camera, and it blew up when I took it off the tree."?
I see cameras all the time, along with tree stands. I say to myself, "This area is probably at least as good as I assumed, but, someone else is here already.", and I am on my way, having never disturbed the area or other hunter's belongings.
Must be me. I must be the one that is messed up. Oh yea...I know what it is...it's called respect!