Self-filming hunts has become uber popular in recent years as the price of quality equipment has come down and getting footage uploaded to platforms like YouTube has never been easier. As an avid YouTube watcher, I sometimes feel like every other hunter has their own channel these days, and it provides for great entertainment – good and bad.
One of the first things you need to think about when considering filming your own hunts is why you want to do it in the first place. For me, it’s twofold. I enjoy reliving my experiences in the deer woods, and you never know when something incredible could happen that you’d like to capture and share with others. Secondarily, I provide a lot of the footage you see in our various NDA videos, and you can never have too much material in stock whether it be deer, other wildlife, or enticing landscapes. I’ve also had the fortune of providing clips for several outdoors television productions over the years. Answering the question of “why” is the starting point for deciding how much time and money you want to invest, just like it was for me.
For Personal Use or Sharing with Family and Friends
If your primary reason is to simply capture basic footage for your own use and to share with friends or family, you likely have the only tool you need in the palm of your hand. Today’s smartphones have excellent cameras and capture high-quality video including in 4K resolution. Most also have stabilization features that make filming by hand possible with minimal shake while zoomed in. Even with my advanced setup, I still often reach for my phone to capture moments difficult to get with my larger camera that’s typically connected to an arm. Smartphones also work well for shooting pre-hunt interviews and other shots that are close to you – as you can seen in one of my videos embedded below.
Another advantage of using your smartphone is there is no shortage of options for mounts, whether it be one that can be attached to your weapon, body, or camera arm accessory. There are some limitations to be aware of. Smartphone cameras, as good as they are these days, still don’t do well in low light conditions. With hunting, that’s often when the bulk of the good stuff happens. They also don’t capture great audio, although when paired with an external mic it can be improved. Finally, they can be difficult to use when trying to zoom, which requires a two-handed approach. Zoom will also be limited as compared to a stand-alone video camera.
For Posting Online or Semi-Professional Use
If you’re already a professional videographer, you’re likely not reading this article. I’ll assume that like most hunters, you’re looking to get high quality footage for yourself and to maybe post it online but want to go a step beyond the capability of a smartphone. It’s also likely you’re willing to make a reasonable investment but not so much that you’re shelling out several thousand dollars for today’s top-end ultra-HD cameras.
I gave considerable thought about the best way to present the below information on gear choices. I decided to go through my equipment list piece by piece while describing the importance of each. Note that a link is provided for purchasing each item, although I encourage you to shop around to find the best deals. Don’t discount the idea of buying used gear if available. Many people purchase quality camera equipment and accessories but find they don’t use it as much as they thought they would and put it up for sale. It’s not hard to find barely used equipment being sold for half its original value.
My Gear List – Must Haves
Camera
Canon Vixia HF G50 (HF G70 Latest Model) – Even though you may see videographers on your favorite outdoor television shows using DSLR cameras, I much prefer using a camcorder for their ease of use and excellent video quality. Two years ago, I opted for the Canon Vixia HF G50 for its 4K capability and other deep features, and its compact size. It is also highly rated by outdoor video enthusiasts, including those who film wildlife in low light conditions. Although this camera is now discontinued, you can still find them online and at a bargain price. If you want the latest version of this camera, the Canon Vixia HF G70 is now available and offers Ultra HD recording. It is rated at 4.5/5 stars on B&H Photo-Video’s website.
Remember, you likely won’t have a videographer on the hunt with you. Trying to run a DSLR camera while also trying to hunt can be cumbersome. Today’s camcorders are lighter than ever and perform as well as the professional grade cameras of just a few years ago. If this is a little too much camera for you, there are many HD capable consumer grade options available that will be better than using your phone and won’t have you breaking the bank.
On-Camera Microphone
RODE VideoMic Pro+ Shotgun Microphone – Some may put this one in the optional category, but I think a shotgun microphone is a must have if you want to get the best quality audio to accompany great video. You wouldn’t buy a hot new sportscar and put cheap tires on it, would you? While onboard microphones have improved dramatically over the years, they still capture sound from every direction and any bump of the camera or areas around it results in loud distracting noises. A quality shotgun mic solves that problem by gathering sounds from the areas you choose, and I’ve found RODE mics to be the best bang for the buck.
Camera Arm Tree Mount
Fourth Arrow 3.0 Shoulder Camera Arm Mount – In the early days of self-filming hunts, the biggest culprit for adding weight to your pack was the camera arm mount. While nothing locks to a tree more solidly while holding the weight of a school bus like the original Muddy Outfitter Camera Arm, it’s overkill for most, and it’s a beast to carry. Luckily camera weights have dropped dramatically making it less important to have so much heft in the mount, and manufacturers have responded.
I love my Fourth Arrow 3.0 Shoulder Camera Arm Mount. It’s heavy enough to do the job but not so heavy that it’s a burden. It also packs up small to about the size of a softball, which saves pack space. To make this mount even easier to use and quieter to attach, I ditched the ratchet strap that came with it and fitted the unit with a one inch strap equipped with a quick release OCB buckle. With that setup I can have the mount attached to the tree securely and quietly in less than a minute.
Camera Arm
Fourth Arrow SaddleLite Arm – It’s hard to beat Fourth Arrow when it comes to self-filming camera arms. My go-to arm is the SaddleLite Arm even if I’m not saddle hunting because it’s small, sturdy, light weight, and versatile. It allows you to capture footage in about any direction. I also have a Fourth Arrow Stiff Arm, which I sometimes use for fixed position stand hunting. Be sure to wrap your arms in cloth tape to make them much quieter. My one criticism of Fourth Arrow camera arms is they can be a bit noisy if not covered.
Fluid Video Head
SmallRig Lightweight Fluid Video Head – A quality fluid head might also be on the optional list for some, but if you’ve come this far why throw it all away by struggling with a non-fluid model? I think a fluid head is a must for the smoothest operation and professional quality panning. I absolutely love my SmallRig fluid head and haven’t seen another comparable one on the market. The smooth as silk motion combined with the telescoping handle make this the prefect unit for self-filming hunts. It’s also light weight and durable and will last forever if taken care of.
Backpack
First Lite Transfer Pack – No matter how light weight and compact you’re able to get your total filming setup, you still need a quality pack to get it in and out of the woods safely and conveniently while still leaving room for your hunting gear, snacks, and other items you deem necessary. Look no further than the First Lite Transfer Pack.
This pack does it all and the bucket style main compartment is ideal for packing your video gear. It’s quiet, loaded with compartments, allows for carrying a treestand/platform and steps as well as your bow or gun. As importantly, the Transfer Pack is very comfortable and easily adjustable allowing you to go on long hikes to your hunting location with ease.
Editing Software
Final Cut Pro (Mac) or Pinnacle Studio (PC) – Unless you only want to look at clips you download from your SD cards, you’ll need some type of video editing software. While there are some free and low-cost apps available, I’m guessing you’re looking for something more if you’re investing in good quality video gear. My go to video editing software being a Mac user is Final Cut Pro. Frankly, it’s far more powerful than I need for what I use it for, but it’s easy to use and I’ve developed a comfort level with it. If editing on a PC, my recommendation is Pinnacle Studio. It’s relatively inexpensive and my experience with it was positive when I used it.
Take advantage of the many free tutorials on these and other editing programs on YouTube. There are plenty of good ones out there that take you step-by-step through the editing process and software features. That’s a resource that wasn’t available to me when I started self-filming years ago, but I sure do appreciate it now.
Optional Accessories
Wireless Microphones
RODE Wireless GO II Compact Wireless Microphones – If you want to capture voices or the sound of your pounding heart when that buck of a lifetime is coming toward you, you’ll need a wireless lapel style microphone, and RODE is the way to go. I’m almost always hunting alone and am often a little lazy when it comes to going through the extra steps to put mine on, but that’s on me. While not necessary, I believe they do add quality to the production, especially if you’re teamed up with someone else and want to capture dialogue. Outside of hunting, I use these quality microphones for videos I record for other NDA purposes, and they work great.
Second Angle or POV Camera
Tactacam 6.0 Action Camera – If you’re the type of person who really likes to geek out on filming and are looking for next level production, you should consider an action camera for second angles or point-of-view (POV) shots. I sometimes attach my Tactacam 6.0 Action Camera to my gun or bow for POV footage and they’re also nice for following the path of an arrow to better determine the placement of your shot. This unit is capable of shooting in 4K and has a nice zoom feature as well. If I’m feeling creative, I’ll add a couple GoPros to the setup and create an almost 360-degree view. There was a time when GoPro was it in terms of action cameras, but I’ve found significantly less expensive models found on Amazon do an amazing job for far less money.
Variable Rocker
VariZoom VZ-Rock for LANC Camcorders – I contemplated putting this item on the must have list because it sure is helpful when it comes to controlling your camera and limiting movement. In the end, though, it’s not a necessary accessory and you can run a camera without it. I like using a variable rocker because it allows you to operate the camera from the handle of your fluid head as opposed to having to use the controls on the camera itself. This is very helpful for limiting movement and also getting smoother zoom transition in particular. It’s also a handy way to turn the camera off and on without the clicking noise.
Secondary Viewing Screen
Feelworld F5 – I started using a secondary viewing screen when my sight started to decline and it became more difficult to see the small screen on the camera viewfinder. Even if you have good eyesight, a larger screen is a nice luxury. There are plenty of inexpensive options available on Amazon, and I went with the Feelworld F5, which has a 5½-inch screen in 4K quality. I’ll add that I don’t always take the screen along because it’s another item to deal with, and the battery adds extra weight, but having it attached improves the experience.
Smartphone Gimbal or Selfie Stick
DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Smartphone Gimbal – If you’re going all in on your self-filming hobby, why not add a smartphone gimbal to the mix? Even with the image stabilization improvements in smartphone cameras, it’s still difficult to hold steady on self-interviews or selfie shots. This is where a quality gimbal comes in handy, and I’ve found the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P to be outstanding. The only downside to this gimbal is it took me a while to figure out how to use it effectively, but that may be more of a reflection of my age and not keeping up with modern technology as much as I would have liked. Another selling point on a smartphone gimbal is you could justify the expense by using it for family functions as well.
Considerations Beyond the Gear
If you’re experienced with self-filming, you already know this, but for the newbies I want to close with a few important points. If you’re going to invest in camera gear, stick with it and don’t decide to set up your camera just some of the time. The one time you decide it’s not worth the hassle will undoubtedly be the day your miss the opportunity of a lifetime. I’ll never forget watching two nice bucks fighting each other while swimming in a deep stream right in front of me during the rut several years ago. You guessed it. That was the day I didn’t take the camera, and I’d bet the house I’ll never see something like that again.
Don’t get discouraged. It takes time to learn your equipment and to develop a system that works for you, and there will be times of frustration. Like most things, the more you do it, the better you’ll become. Although I’ve been at it for a while, I still make mistakes, and I’m still always looking for ways to do things better.
Finally, get comfortable with the idea that self-filming is going to cost you shot opportunities. That’s the risk/reward aspect of the hobby. If you have a buck of a lifetime approaching you might be best to forget the camera and focus on the job at hand. Or, you might find that having the added distraction is helpful at keeping buck fever at bay.
Most importantly, enjoy the hobby and don’t take yourself too seriously. I have countless stories of things gone well and things gone badly, but I also have hours of memories captured to show for it.