Game Camera on Public Land....?

Had a friend tell me he found a note on his cam that stated he was the GW and if he didn't take his camera down, it would be taken by him.... I figured it was just a fellow hunter messing with him so I read up in the handbook. I found where it talks about not leaving "personal gear including decoys one hour after legal shooting hours" and figure Game Cams would fall under this, but not sure.... Can anyone give me some feedback??

That's better than it being gone or a note (no camera) saying I have your camera GW and phone#, cuz then I would have to wonder if it would cost me a fine to get it back.

A game camera would easily fall under the catch all "personal gear" or "equipment". Some areas other hunters are quick to report any stands, feeders, cameras, etc. they see, especially when one pops up on a spot they have been legally hunting for years. Don't shoot the messenger. I am cutting and pasting from the book.

Hunting Blinds, Gear, and Equipment
constructs or places a hunting blind, stand, tower, or platform within 50 yards of any designated road, marked unit boundary, or designated campsite;
constructs a permanent blind, stand, tower, or platform
leaves a hunting blind, stand, tower, or platform in place for more than 72 hours or uses metal nails, spikes, screws, or bolts to attach such structures to the timber;
leaves personal gear, equipment (including decoys), or floating conveyances unattended for more than one hour following the close of legal shooting hours.

Note: this does not apply to gear or equipment left within a designated camping area or for specific activities scheduled by the department.

Unattended - Gear, equipment, or floating conveyances not within 200 yards of the person responsible for the gear, equipment or floating conveyances.

And if your friend is baiting at the game camera and not an authorized activity for that APH unit.

baits wildlife (see Definitions) on public hunting lands, except when performed in conjunction with the use of traps or snares for taking furbearers and predatory animals, or as otherwise authorized by the department for a specific unit, activity and time period

Baiting - The placement of minerals, vegetative materials, or other food substances used as an attractant for wildlife.

And if he is on Forest Service or Corps areas, different rules could be more lax or more strict, but I assume we are talking APHP here.

I agree sniper, 100%. I had just never heard of game came being illegal but after reading the book, I agree. Just curious

Your biggest problem with leaving ac T/C in the woods won't be the GW, it will be the thief that took it.