Ben Shrader our favorite Naturalist, is running thin on cameras. A bear decided to take one apart but not before the nosy bruin was photographed.

Here’s what Ben had to say, ” My obsession or costly hobby with trail cameras could be wearing down. I have about stopped the expensive chore of returning malfunctioning cameras for service and replacements as my Tinker Mountain count has dwindled down to only 3 cameras while my junk pile of Cuddeback cameras has now grown to 5. The old cameras can be replaced for half retail but at a this rate of repair, even that has become expensive. The new technology is typical fragile cheap throw away electronics, but I am from the generation of expecting quality workmanship, repair, and fix the junk to get a few more miles.”

“I had bear damage this time even though the camera was in a steel bear box. Problem with the design is that the lens of the cameras are in a press fit plastic housing and the bear just poked his claw through the bear box opening inside and poked the pressed in lens out allowing rain and weather in on the camera electronics. Cheap design but pesky bears also. It did get one bobcat before the claw poke the bear peeps in and pokes out the lens.”

“On the same day as a camera was re-freshened with predator gland scent. Note bear has a completely black muzzle.”

Thanks Ben!