woodpecker damage to game camera

I just got these two Browning Game Cameras last year and they work fine for me, upon checking them yesterday, i found that a woodpecker had pecked on the tint shield of the sensor and opened a hole in the shield. Camera worked fine taking about 8 to 10 pics a day / night, and when the woodpecker hung on to it for a selfie and knocking out the shield, and afterwards started taking hundreds of pictures a day at swaying trees, etc but no animal in sight. Is there a fix for it?

By the way, its my 3rd game camera with the same issues and is there a solution or a better camera that does not have that cheap plastic shield?

There are several videos like this on YouTube...



Apparently, the various little noises created by the camera trick the woodpecker in believing there are insects inside. I think that about the only thing you can do is to build a cage around your camera to prevent the woodpecker from getting too close.

Call Browning. They will sell, send you replacement lenses. I had this happen and they helped me.

It seems that mounting the camera on a tree makes the situation worse. Mounted to a T-post isn't as bad, IME

They sent me a free brand new camera to replace the 3--4 yo one I inquired about. Top notch customer service.

Agree. And they make a pretty good game camera.

Thanks fellas. Contacted Browning, and they sent a parts form to fill out and email back. Each piece is $8.99 and ordered two pieces in case it shall happen again. Time to get Woody Woodpecker.

Cheers

I'm trying something new and made a box with 1x2 wire in the front. I hope it works like i've been told it does. Having trouble with picks, if someone wants them pm your # and I'll send them

This will work great. Better if you use 1"x1" square welded wire instead then open up just enough in front to not block sensor, IR and lens. I cut the wires in the middle to open them outward to leave the pointed edges out in front as added protection. Works really well on cattle trying to lick the camera also.

Looks like a Pileated Woodpecker. BIG suckers...about the size of a crow. We have lots of them where I live. They would make short work of a game camera lens or cover.

Hate them wood peckers. They peck on our cammeras, they peck on the blinds, they even peck on the plate of steel at the top of our feeder tripods. I hope they break a beak every time I hear the ping on the steel!