Trail Camera Market

Trail Camera Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

The global market for trail cameras is estimated to be around US$ 160.3 million in 2024 and has been forecast to expand at a CAGR of 3.5% to end up at US$ 220.7 million by 2034.

The Trail Camera is a bundle of feature packages that includes motion detection, night vision, high-quality image resolution sensors, and Internet of Things features like wireless data transfer.

Wildlife Conservation Society estimates that approximately 50% of the world's biodiversity is unrecorded. This is the reason why the role of devices like trail cameras in the study of biodiversity, capturing and monitoring evasive creatures, is held in high regard by global conservation efforts that allow for a better understanding of wildlife.

The future of trail cameras is bright with the development in the field of artificial intelligence, solar power, and the ability to integrate with cloud storage. These developments will further enhance the usability factor behind trail cameras, hence driving the demand across both consumer and professional sectors across the globe.

Report Attributes	Details
Trail Camera Market Size (2023A)	US$ 154.0 Million
Estimated Market Value (2024E)	US$ 160.3 Million
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 220.7 Million
Global Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	3.5% CAGR
East Asia Market Share (2024)	12.3%
China Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	3.8% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	Wildgame Innovations LLC; Boly, Inc.; Browning Arms Company; Vista Outdoor, Inc.; G.G. Telecom; Reconyx; Cuddeback; Covert Scouting Cameras; Zeiss; Other Prominent Players.

Historic Analysis (2019 to 2023) and Future (2024 to 2034) Pathway Analysis for the Trail Camera.

The trail camera market was valued at US$ 160.3 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 2.3% from 2019 to 2023.

• Short Term (2024 to 2027): The short-term outlook for trail cameras remains pretty stable, primarily due to their increasing adoption in wildlife research and hunting applications. Improvements in image quality and night vision will increase product appeal. Wireless connectivity in real-time image transmission is going to be a standard feature. Manufacturers will focus on developing more energy-efficient and robust models to meet user expectations.
• Medium Term (2027 to 2030): The Market will see accelerated growth in the mid-term on the back of expansion in security and surveillance applications. Higher applications in animal tracking and behavioral studies will further be opened by AI-driven image recognition. The integration of solar charging technology will solve concerns related to battery life. Environmental and wildlife conservation work will lead to higher demand from environmental agencies and researchers. Growing outdoor sports enthusiasts will drive demand for more compact designs with higher resistance to tough weather conditions.
• Long Term (2030 to 2034): In the future as technology advances in sensor and data analytics. Its integration with drone technology for aerial wildlife monitoring will open new segments. Advanced thermal imaging capabilities will bring enhanced performance at night. Adoption rates in smart farming and forest management applications will rise. The market will field customizable, modular designs with interchangeable components to suit a wide variety of user needs. It will drive innovation in eco-friendly materials and recyclable components.

Based on these facts, the trail camera is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2024 to 2034, according to Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Market Dynamics

What’s Driving Demand for Trail Cameras?

“Outpacing Popularity of Hunting as a Sport”

To the early men, hunting was a necessity. It provided him with food, clothing from the skins, and material for tools from bones and horns. In modern times, hunting is no longer a necessity but a recreational activity and a sport. Though it seems to be a polarizing subject among many, the popularity of hunting as a sport has increased noticeably within the action sports communities.

• According to Wildlife for All a national campaign in 2022 there are a total of 15.9 million hunters in the United States these people were involved in hunting, fishing, and wildlife activities.

Since a couple of decades ago, the participation of women in hunting has also risen dramatically in several regions in the United States. In the past few years, women constituted nearly a quarter of the total hunter-ed students. Films, media, and communication have also contributed significantly to building the popularity of the sport. Some of the movies have piqued younger women’s interest highly in archery, including hunting, such as The Hunger Games trilogy. With such a growth in the number of hunting enthusiasts, the popularity of trail cameras is growing at a rapid pace.

“Movement from Specialized Product to Mass Product”

Even today, trail cameras are a widely used product. More than 30 years have passed. From being a specialty item for wildlife enthusiasts, they have evolved into being utilized for outdoor security and surveillance by hunters and the general public.

• According to industry experts trail cameras are specially made to be put outside and collect photographs of wildlife. Using a built-in motion sensor, these cameras automatically take pictures of animals which means that they can be set up and left for a long period.

The trail cameras were originally used only by a specific population with an interest in game hunting or animal scouting. With time, it has now transformed into a widely used product for various other purposes such as outdoor security and surveillance, wildlife studying, and monitoring animal behaviors and patterns. Trail cameras have proven to be excellent products among the masses for people with similar requirements across the globe, increasing their popularity exponentially.

What are the Challenges Encountered by Manufacturers of Trail Camera?

“Availability of Alternate Products”

Even though trail cameras have earned considerable traction among the population, various products are preferred by customers to attain better results. Amidst this new technological era, a new product, Blink, from Immedia Semiconductor Incorporated, has been gaining consumer preference over trail cameras for security and surveillance purposes.

In comparison to the conventional trail cameras, this product is more sophisticated, more user-friendly with better features, and economical. Apart from Blink, there is a significant population using smartphones that can at times be employed in case of emergency or one-time utility of a trail camera, thus, obstructing the opportunities for the market. A trail camera is a popular product among the communities in the regions that are near a wildlife facility or forests, for wildlife hunting or outdoor monitoring, however, in remote areas, CCTV cameras are still overpowering trail cameras in every aspect for outdoor surveillance and other requirements.

Country-wise Insights

Why United States is seeking a high adoption of Trail Camera?

“Large Population Engaged in Hunting and Wildlife-Related Activities”

Attribute	United States
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 41.3 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	2.6% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 53.5 Million

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service observed that In the year 2022, 100.4 million Americans are Hunting & fishing combined (where US$ 14.3 Million are hunters and the remaining US$ 46.2 million are recreational target shooting while includes out door hunting as well.) are involved in wildlife-related activities such as wildlife watching and hunting each year.

With approximately 141,552 units of hunting products sold in North America in 2020, the market is projected to grow at a positive CAGR and capture a revenue share of 25.1% in 2027.

Wildlife monitoring sales are expected to register a growth rate of over 4% during the forecast period. Increased recreational and animal monitoring and research activities in the region have increased the demand for trail camera products.

The U.S. government has created the Science Support Partnership (SSP) program. The Fish and Wildlife Service and geological surveys to obtain the critical information needed to effectively manage the nation's natural resources have created a huge demand for advanced cameras with excellent night vision quality, thereby improving trail visibility. This has spurred demand for cameras.

Why is the U.K. Trail Camera Market Expected to be Highly Lucrative?

“Significant Economic Impact of Shooting Sports in UK Trail Camera”

Attribute	UK
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 6.8 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	3.1% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 9.2 Million

According to the British Shooting Conservation Society (BASC), Shooting is worth more than US$ 3.67 billion to the U.K. Economy. People participate in shooting, including hunting, stalking, skeet shooting, and target shooting each year. All of these require cameras that are automatically triggered by changes in activity in the environment.

Agriculture is the foundation of the U.K's largest manufacturing sector, food, and beverages, and it contributes largely to the U.K. economy. This large agricultural industry is always looking for suitable surveillance cameras. The adoption of wildlife cameras is increasing among farm owners. These cameras can monitor potential threats and take appropriate precautions.

Category-wise Insights

Why are Low Glow Flash Type Trail Camera Most Widely Used?

“Low glow flash types maintain a leading position in market revenues.”

Attribute	Low Glow Flash Type
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 4.5 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	3.8% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 6.6 Million

Low glow flash type will continue to drive the trail camera market in terms of revenues, and it is anticipated that this situation will continue for the forecast future. Even though Low Glow continues to generate sizable profits, no glow flash-type sales growth is anticipated to outpace Low Glow in the mid-future. When compared to other flash-type trail cameras, low-glow flash trail cameras are far more effective in taking pictures at night without frightening the animals.

The idea of scouting before the hunting season has significantly altered the hunting environment in many different parts of the world. This has increased demand for hunting gear and sparked sales of trail cameras before the start of the hunting season. Additionally, wildlife enthusiasts use trail cameras to study the behavior and movement of wildlife critters for scientific purposes.

What will be the Scenario of Trail Camera Market Growth led by Hunting?

“Hunting's Shift to A Popular Recreational Activity Drives Trail Camera Demand”

To the early humans, hunting was a necessity. It provided them with food, and clothing to skins and material for tools by utilization of bones and horns. In modern times, hunting is no longer a necessity but a recreational activity and a sport. Though it seems to be a polarizing subject among many, the popularity of hunting as a sport has increased noticeably within the action sports communities.

In the past few years, women constituted nearly a quarter of the total hunter students. Films, media, and communication have also contributed significantly to building the popularity of the sport. Some of the movies have piqued younger women’s interest highly in archery, including hunting, such as The Hunger Games trilogy. With such a growth in the number of hunting enthusiasts, the popularity of trail cameras is growing at a rapid pace.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the trail camera industry are Resin, Wildgame Innovations LLC, Boly, Inc., Browning Arms Company, Vista Outdoor, Inc., G.G. Telecom, Reconyx, Cuddeback, and Covert Scouting Cameras among others.

Recent developments in the trail camera market include major acquisitions expanding the hunting product portfolio. However, challenges persist as evidenced by significant investment in a non-operational camera system highlighting the importance of proper implementation and training in surveillance technology.

• In June 2023 - ZEISS acquired VenTrade GmbH, the German trail camera specialist known for its SECACAM brand. This acquisition enhances ZEISS's hunting product portfolio, leveraging VenTrade's expertise in trail cameras and connectivity to develop innovative, high-quality solutions for monitoring wildlife and improving hunting success.
• On July 24, 2023 - Harford County's US$ 1.0 million investments in a 26-camera system along the Ma & Pa Trail remains non-operational, posing a risk to public safety. Officials were unaware of the system's limitations and lack of training for law enforcement to access footage, despite the cameras being installed five months ago.

Fact.MR's recently published report offers detailed insights into the price points of major Trail Camera manufacturers across different regions, along with data on sales growth, production capacity, and potential technological advancements.

Segmentation of Trail Camera Industry Research

• By Product Type :

  • Standard
  • Wireless
    • Cellular
    • Wi-Fi

• By Pixel Size :

  • <8 MP
  • 8 to 12 MP
  • >12 MP

• By Flash Type :

  • White Flash
  • Low Glow
  • No Glow

• By Trigger Speed :

  • upto 0.25 Sec
  • 0.25 Sec to 0.75 Sec
  • Above 0.75 Sec

• By Applications :

  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Monitoring
  • Others (Residential, Utility, Commercial)

• By Sales Channel :

  • Modern Trade Channels
  • Independent/Brick and Mortar Outlets
  • Direct to customer
  • Third Party Online Channel

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa