Camera Stations and Research Methods

Camera Placement:
Our camera placement is organized into a system of research stations. Each station usually has multiple cameras spanning a large area. We might place cameras in other areas as well temporarily to see if there is much animal activity but unless the area has been fruitful, we abandon it and move on. Each station has a nickname and a station #. Currently we operate four research stations that we have deemed worthy of monitoring. The station system is not too useful in determining animal population numbers and spatial concentration but it is the most economical. Instead of wasting time and money installing cameras in areas that are not conducive to animals we concentrate on areas that have the highest amount of animal sign and activity. Often this determination is made informally in the field and if we get some good shots on a test camera we might keep the camera there for a while.

Station 1: The Junction
The junction camera is one of our best cameras. It is on the trail down from the parking area to the PG film site. This camera is important because it records humans attempting to visit the film site. Often the people don't actually make it to the film site and get on the cameras there so it is interesting to follow people's attempts. Only one camera is at this location because it is easily seen by people walking on the trail


Station 2: The Film Site
We have many camera at the Patterson-Gimlin film site. The area is very large and we attempt complete coverage for the width of the entire canyon bottom. We usually operate 5-7 cameras here which means we have the most complete data set for this location.

Station 3: The Plug
The plug is one of our favorite locations. It is where we captured the images of the Humboldt Marten


Station 4: The MK Davis site
This is a relatively new site which we hope to expand. We have had good luck with this site but camera placement has been an issue. It is about 1000' downstream from the plug.

Station 5: The Twin Lakes Bear Wallow
This location has provided us with some of our most entertaining video. The camera is placed facing a small bear wallow on the edge of upper twin lakes. Lots of different animals have been seen here. We try and run 2-3 cameras here all year long.

Station 6: Elk Valley
This is a new location at the headwaters of Blue Creek. The area is very sacred land to the Yurok, Karuk, and Hupa people so we treat the area with the most respect. Current we have pulled the cameras out of this location but hope to have at least one running for the summer.