A well-placed trail camera can capture more than surprising images of wildlife that share our forests—they can help landowners better know and manage their woodland.
Outside experts joined Washington State University Extension Foresters to train eastern Washington small-forest owners on the uses and benefits of trail cameras for forest management and wildlife observation on July 21. The seminar is now past, but viewers can watch a video of the workshop online.
Participants learned how trail cams work, gained an overview of different camera features, and encountered strategies to capture the best images and insights from their forests.
“When you’re monitoring wildlife with trail cams, expect the unexpected,” said presenter Steve Schubert, a woodland owner, field biologist, naturalist and educator.
At his forested acreage in mountainous northeast Washington, Schubert has monitored wildlife using trail cameras for years, and will share examples of black bears, moose, elk, and foxes, as well as more surprising photo captures like river otters, bobcats, mountain lions, and wolves.
The course was held via Zoom and led by experts from WSU Extension and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
The WSU Extension Forestry program provides objective, research-based education and resources for owners of forested property as well as the general public. Learn more about Extension Forestry’s mission here.