---
title: "Trail Camera Thieves Hate This Trick"
description: "Make your trail camera nearly invisible to trail camera thieves, trespassers, and smart bucks."
date: "2025-10-06"
modified: "2025-10-06"
authors:
  - name: "Scott Einsmann"
    job_title: "Executive Gear Editor"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/scott-einsmann/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/trail-camera-thieves-hate-this-trick/"
categories:
  - "Deer Hunting Gear"
  - "Gear"
  - "Hunting Gear"
tags:
  - "Gear Reviews"
---

# Trail Camera Thieves Hate This Trick

![Trail camera hack](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/trail-camoflauge.jpg>)
*Scott Einsmann*

Trail cameras are powerful scouting tools and great for keeping an eye on your property, but they're also valuable. A trespasser or opportunistic thief will gladly snatch your camera if they see it.

Most trail cameras have a camo pattern or natural color, but their shiny plastic exterior and square edges still make them stand out like a sore thumb. Here's how you can quickly and cheaply, give your trail camera a 3D camouflage makeover that will make it practically invisible.

**Read Next:** [The 5 Best Cellular Trail Cameras, Tested and Reviewed](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/5-cellular-trail-cameras-from-budget-to-high-end/>)

https://youtube.com/shorts/P8R_dS-JVb8?feature=share

## What You Need

- [Painter's Tape](<https://www.amazon.com/ScotchBlue-PROSharp-Edge-Lock-2093-24AC3/dp/B0DWDTSJXG?tag=camdenxodl-20>)
- [Micro Cord (black)](<https://www.amazon.com/TECEUM-Micro-Paracord-Polyester-Replacement/dp/B0C9N3NQNY?tag=camdenxodl-20>)
- [Spray Adhesive](<https://www.amazon.com/3M-Multipurpose-Permanent-Adhesive-Cardboard/dp/B0065VCXSA?tag=camdenxodl-20>)
- Bark and leaves

## Inststructions

Step 1: Tape off the camera's lens, sensor, and flash.

Step 2: Spray the adhesive on the camera.

Step 3: Apply leaves and bark to the trail camera.

Step 4: Use Micro Cord to hang your trail camera instead of the standard strap. A [taught line hitch](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69wcDwD6gNU>) or [trucker's hitch](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnlaQHIoCs8>) knot work well for securing the camera.

## Final Tips

If I'm hanging a trail camera in an area where people could see it, I'll bring a climbing stick and put the camera above eye line. If stealth is your priority it's best to use a no-glow, also called a black IR flash, which isn't visible to humans like a low-glow (red IR) flash.

## Author
Scott Einsmann is *Outdoor Life’s* gear editor. He oversees the gear team’s editors and writers who are subject matter experts in bows, knives, hunting, fishing, backpacking, and more. He lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife and two bird dogs.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-einsmann-58a05a69/>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/scotteinsmann/?hl=en>)