Reconyx MicroFire User Manual page 13

If after going back to the Default settings, you still seem to be getting false
triggers, check the physical setup of your camera. The sun should not be shining
directly on the face of the camera, and the camera's field of view should be
cleared of as much vegetation as possible. False triggers most occur most on
sunny, breezy days. Vegetation will soak up the sun's energy and it will become
warmer than the ambient air temperature. When the wind moves the vegetation,
the camera detects this and cannot distinguish it from a warm-blooded animal
moving through the scene. For this reason, careful placement and setup of your
camera helps prevent false triggers.
Only as a LAST resort should you turn down your camera's motion sensitivity;
this reduces your ability to detect movement of warm-blooded animals, especially
during the summer.
Camera Not Triggering on Animals
First, restore the camera back to Default settings and try your camera again.
This will ensure that you are running with known settings – it will set the motion
detector ON at HIGH sensitivity. This is important, especially in the warmer
months, because as the background temperature approaches the temperature of
the animals, the strength of the signal decreases and the range goes down
accordingly.
If you are still having trouble, please refer to the "Mounting and Aiming Your
Camera" section for detailed information, as well as using the WalkTest mode.
Keep in mind that most animals are not 6 feet (2 meters) tall, so when you use
the WalkTest mode, do not just walk by the camera in a full upright stance. The
camera may be triggering on your upper torso or head and not on your legs
(where most animals are likely to be). There is an inactive zone that you need to
be aware of so that you don't aim the inactive zone precisely on a trail – if you
do, you will not pick up animal activity on the trail.
It is important to keep in mind that there are other factors that can also affect the
ability of your camera to detect motion. Wind can have a detrimental effect.
Body heat from an animal can be quickly dispersed away from the animal on a
breezy day, making it more difficult for the camera to detect the animal. Also
movement directly toward and away from the camera is less likely to trigger the
camera than side-to-side movement. And, finally, if an animal is moving very
slowly, it will sometimes not produce a strong enough signal within the sensor to
trigger the camera.
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