Video your hunts?

[ThicketThrasher]

Do any of you guys video your own hunts? I'm sure some of you do. I have a new HD Video camera that I would like to try to use to film some hunts, or at least part of some hunts. I'm curious how you guys do it, how you set it up. Can you do it alone? I have never tried it before but have shot some test footage from a  mini-tripod I have and so far I believe I can make it work. I know it won't be professional quality but maybe something worth watching. What do you experienced guys know that I don't?

[Crutch]

I'm not a pro, expecially at hunting videos but I know a little about making decent videos. 

Doing it alone is very tough to make it good, much less decent. On the other hand, having a partner doesn't help much but it is more likely to be worth watching. There are several problems I can think of. Autofocus will screw everthing up unless there is nothing between you and the target. A limb or fence post will become the object and the real thing gets blurred.   Most TV videos are so altered you have to overlook the fact that they make it look like the camera turns to the hunter then back to the bird, or deer. Most of the time this is a bunch of crap. Sometimes they have a game cam and a shooter cam but most of the time they practice a video of the guy seeing whatever, then saying "shooter buck, shooter buck".  The they video the saftey going off then, well , you know the rest. If you have decent editing software, you can fix a lot of the issues. It is a hugh hassle to set up a camera, get everthing ready then get a bird to come in. Things just don't work out that way except maybe off the roost once in a while then you have to deal with low light problems.  Hope I don't sound negative, do it and post it no matter what. After you watch it a few time you will know what to change.  I am committing to getting several birds on film just for memories. They will be priceless regardless of quality.


BTW, these are just my opinions and do not represent the opinions of this radio station.

[Jay]

One of our better video guys on here is Simpzenith. Go to the memberlist, and punch on Simpzenith, then go into his website and at the top you will see videos. It'll give you an idea of what can be done, and I've seen hunts done by himself that were very good. Shane will be more than happy to give you advice.

[ThicketThrasher]

I'm not a pro, especially at hunting videos but I know a little about making decent videos. 

Doing it alone is very tough to make it good, much less decent. On the other hand, having a partner doesn't help much but it is more likely to be worth watching. There are several problems I can think of. Autofocus will screw everthing up unless there is nothing between you and the target. A limb or fence post will become the object and the real thing gets blurred.   Most TV videos are so altered you have to overlook the fact that they make it look like the camera turns to the hunter then back to the bird, or deer. Most of the time this is a bunch of crap. Sometimes they have a game cam and a shooter cam but most of the time they practice a video of the guy seeing whatever, then saying "shooter buck, shooter buck".  The they video the safety going off then, well , you know the rest. If you have decent editing software, you can fix a lot of the issues. It is a hugh hassle to set up a camera, get everthing ready then get a bird to come in. Things just don't work out that way except maybe off the roost once in a while then you have to deal with low light problems.  Hope I don't sound negative, do it and post it no matter what. After you watch it a few time you will know what to change.  I am committing to getting several birds on film just for memories. They will be priceless regardless of quality.


BTW, these are just my opinions and do not represent the opinions of this radio station.

I agree that the cutaway shots of the guys clicking his safety and the like are kinda silly. I really don't enjoy those types of hunting videos myself. I also realize that autofocus will be a big problem. I have seen a video from a guy on YouTube, who was filming himself in the spring turkey woods. He narrated at times to let you know what he was thinking or what was his next plan and why. He didn't kill a bird but I thought it was an awesome video. Not because of the quality or all the turkey footage, but because of his approach. It was informative. He would not film continually, just a little here and there and he would say how long he had been in this place and where or why he was moving. I liked it. He was hunting a big tract of public land if I remember correctly. If I get anything decent, I'll let you guys critique it for me.

[timbrhuntr]

I've been trying for two years now to video. I have a tripod that I set up next to me. Only problem is when I'm working a gobbler I get so caught up in that I forget to work the cam. So I have alot of footage before the shot and after but the parts that count you just get to hear the gun go off    .

[Cove]

I've been videoing hunts for several years. Its very difficult but very rewarding. First and foremost, when I video a hunt- while i'd like good footage, my main concern is killing the bird but that keeps the video "real" in my opinion. Its often shakey, a bit out of focus and probably completely out of frame for a bit at some moments but here again- it'll be a blast for me to watch. I could make my videos much more attractive with a little editing so I could include all the short clips I have of the hunt and combine them to portray it from the beginning to end better, but I haven't gotten into messing with the software yet (I plan to soon). So most of the videos I've uploaded to youtube are just the last clip that includes the shot, so its strictly raw footage. I bought a gun mount for my camera a couple years ago since I hunt alone alot. This keeps the camera just beside the gun barrel so you can get the shot but the footage is very rough. You can look at some of these on my channel on youtube- username theSouthernGentlemen. Probably search Georgia turkey hunting or public land turkey hunting also.

[Ack]

I've self-filmed a couple of my bowhunts, but that was out of the Double Bull which made it much easier to capture all the action. I think it would be pretty tough self-film without a blind unless you had one of these new compact action cameras.....or a cameraman.

[turkey_slayer]

Videoed one hunt last year when I called one in for a buddy.  Would have been his first turkey but he missed.  Figured cameras were voodoo and didnt take it anymore  .  A guy at work videos a lot of his hunts (deer, turkey, and elk) and gets some awesome footage.  Hes wanting to hook up some this year and video each other this year so I'm going to give it a go a few times this year.

[wvboy]

Here are some of my amature Vids over the years.. I am not a pro.. got a cheap Tripod from Wal-Mart and a used Mini DV Camcorder from Ebay and went to it, I do it purely for my enjoyment and my memories.. but I will say that it has cost me a bird or two since I started.. trying to get it on film instead of taking the best shot.. I would love to upgrade both and go High Def.. just can't seem to justify the money yet..   A few are self-filmed, and others I filmed either a friend or my Dad..  my goal this spring is to get my Son a bird and film it.. I also got a pair of the IKAM video sunglasses for Christmas and will try to use those when I can't use the tripod.. which happens a lot in the woods with no blind and by myself.. excuse some of the language please..

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/rbuzzard/Spring%202007/?action=view&current=nokesville.mp4
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/rbuzzard/Spring%202007/?action=view&current=bigrun-lateseason2.mp4
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/rbuzzard/Spring%202007/?action=view&current=GraveyardGobbler.mp4
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/rbuzzard/Spring%202009/?action=view&current=TK-Nokesville-2009.mp4
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/rbuzzard/Spring%202009/?action=view&current=JC-RB-Double-09.mp4
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/rbuzzard/Spring%202009/?action=view&current=ThreeGenerations.mp4
http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/rbuzzard/Spring%202009/?action=view&current=MB-Nokesville.mp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vInWPGn4Wj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L6rGG_aIyY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Nm29zF_mc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POsFdQ-wAW8

[gob09]

unclerick and i want to film a hunt too this year i'm volenteering to run the camera any avice for the camera man BTW great topic thanks for posting

[Executioner]

Make sure you have charged batteries and extra tapes. Use manual focus if your camera has that option. Use your ears to listen which direction birds are coming from and adjust just like your hunting with the camera. You will kill more birds on video if you film off-hand, so you will want to practice filming when someone is shooting so you don't flinch at the shot. If you decide to film off a tripod, make sure to keep your hands off it just before the shot so the camera won't shake at the shot. Also, if your camera has an image stabilizer feature, when filming off a tripod don't use that feature. Set your focus on the camera for where you anticipate the gobbler showing himself. Hope this helps. God bless.

[gophert]

I started videoing 2 years ago.  I find it almost impossible to get good video when I am by myself so I just stopped doing it.  I have found that a REMOTE really helps out when in the woods.  It allows you to work the manual focus if your camera has that option.  It also lets you work the zoom with no movement.  I always use a tripod.  A good microphone is also a plus.  Here are a few of mine.  Andrew's First Turkey I filmed and I am sad to report I was the shooter on the "miss" video.  All are in high def so be patient with youtube.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zFXhdst8KA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZCMQsMAIaQ

[ThicketThrasher]

If you were gonna video by yourself, where would you locate the camera. Beside you or right between your legs or where?

[Hootowl]

We are leaving for Kansas is April 12 and We have a Guy that ownes a Video Bussness and he's filming all are hunts, Hope to score on a
Big Tom on film. Come On April I am pumped.....
 

Hoot

[turkey_slayer]

If you were gonna video by yourself, where would you locate the camera. Beside you or right between your legs or where?

The few time I done it I sat it beside me and angled the LCD screen towards me.  Figured if it was in front of me it would be hard to swing the gun if need be and killing the turkey is my priority not getting him on film 

Videoing for someone else I didnt find that difficult as we sit side by side so I'm pretty much seeing what he does.