Securing the block and motion cameras

[codeMunk3y]

Hi guys,

We have 600 acres in SE Tassie which we bought a year ago. Before us it was owned by a farmer and it seems that people took liberties on accessing it because they knew he didn't care. We've put up signs now saying private property, which has lessened this.

The issue is that someone has been cutting down trees and removing them. We can't completely lock off the land, as there is a right of way over the left boundary to other blocks and it is either side of this right of way that the trees are going missing. I don't believe it's for firewood, as there is heaps of dry timber on the ground so it's probably for fencing or other building materials.

We're looking at motion cameras at the start and finish of the right of way to keep track of who comes over it and how long it takes them to travel (ie if it's taking them too long then there's a fair chance they're stopping to take something on the way)- does anyone have any experience with these cameras and what brands to get/not get and how robust/hidable they are?

Any other input to try and reduce the likelyhood of more trees going missing/ catching those doing it would be great.

[ubute]

Interesting idea. I know of someone who used one of these from this site http://www.trailcameras.com.au although you might be able to source similar for cheaper from ebay and the likes. The prices look reasonable tho and they said that it was very well constructed with a good manual and managed something like 1 month on standby with the batteries. You will need to consider if you want to access the video remotely and in real time (most likely wirelessly in which distance/terrain poses issues) or if you're happy manually accessing the logged data every x days.

[codeMunk3y]

Due to the remoteness, realtime access won't be available unfortunately

[chambezio]

A bloke up the road with 100 acres had a dam over the back part of the block. He had evidence (Foot prints) of pigs. He set up a still camera with infrared. He could monitor any action by linking the camera to the internet then looking at his monitor at home. Yep he got pigs...kangaroos....possum.....cattle (his own).... goats ....deer.....Yep Red Deer. It seems his little dam was quite a popular spot.

In answer to your question of security.....you will have to live on the block, fence it well and patrol very regularly. An absent land owner is no deterrent for those who want what you have. You will have to make sure that you don't leave anything of value on your block even if its in a locked shed! Bolt cutters open anything.