Archery hunting with a GoPro?

[jessie88]

anyone on her use one when they bow hunt? i got one this Christmas and would love to start filming my hunts/kills.

[BIGDOG253]

I do! I use mine for both bow hunting and duck/goose hunting.

For bowhunting, I found it works best if mounted on your head, rather than on the bow (some people say its illegal). Still haven got any footage of archery kills, but I got lots of waterfowl footage.

[jessie88]

thats cool! i am a tree climber and own my own business so i have a head strap and filmed a big fir removal the other week. im just curious is to how far away gopros see an animal and how clear you can make out an arrow hitting an animal and if anyone on here has used it/liked it. i guess i could youtube some stuff too.

[Rainier10]

Yes, I got the headband that the camera mounts to.  Works good.  Haven't got a kill shot on with it yet.  Never seem to be wearing it when I get into a shooting situation.  Done lots of testing at the range to make sure I have it positioned correctly for shooting and how I have to approach the target to get the best video.  Definitely takes some playing around with to get it right.  The video is great close up but the target at 30 yards is a little difficult to see.

[jessie88]

yeah... it does seem like the distance to which you can see doesnt go very far. but when you edit a video you can zoom the footage a little. maybe that would help.

[GrampasGuns]

As long as it's not on your bow you are good to go.

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[SeaRun1]

I will be filming my hunt next year.  I tried shooting the other day with the GoPro on my stabilizer and at 30 yards you can't make out much.  My two archery deer have both been shot at less then 10 though and that looks doable.

I would like to keep it on the stabilizer but the regs say no electronic devices on the bow.  I guess I will start working with the headmount.

SR1

[h20hunter]

If you are stand hunting my though is to mount the 'Pro to a stake in the ground close to where you think you shot may be. You can get the remote and silence the sounds on your unit. Hear anything moving, turn it on and get ready for the shot.

[SeaRun1]

Good idea! 

With most of the newer GoPros you can use the app on your phone to control your camera.  Much cheaper then the little remote.

SR1

[jessie88]

that is a good point about the remote. but with the headstrap is does give you a pretty sweet view of you pulling the bow back and everything. we shall see!

[bowguy]

I use a solvid system and last year I had a pov cam on. It works however, anything beyond about 25yds looks like 40yds at least.  I couldn't get my camera on when I shot my elk but my dad filed me shooting with his (same setup). Issue I see with the go pro is when you draw the bow it will be in your vision. The solvid places cam on side of head.

[blacktailcody]

My GoPro buck. 23 yards.

[BIGDOG253]

My GoPro buck. 23 yards.

Nice shot! Do you have lighted nocks?

[blacktailcody]

Thanks! Yes I do!


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[Netminder01]

GoPro's - or competing models are good for POV shots and/or B-roll but not as the main video. I have 3 GoPro's and one camera used for primary filming and film most of my hunts; especially when I'm solo. Keep in mind, you cannot (in WA) attached your GoPro to your Bow but you can to you arm, head, tree, etc.

If all you have budget for is a single GoPro right now then start with it in a place that allows you to capture most all the prioritized footage then capture additional footage before/after the hunt. This enables you to tell a better story of your experience, frustrations, successes, etc.

Good luck!

[pianoman9701]

I hunted two years with my VIRB stuck to my head. When I finally got a shot on a buck, forgot to turn it on. 

[SeaRun1]

Nice job Cody!  That is good footage for 23 yards.  I would be happy with that but you also need to get lucky to have the right profiled like you had it with the light colored grass.

I am going with the GoPro on the tree below me next year.  I downloaded the GoPro app so I can turn it on and film when the buck comes in.

Thanks for the cool thread and ideas guys.

SR1

[hogslayer]

I have carried mine everywhere with me , from a tree stand in the back yard to 10 miles back on the elk trips.   It seems like no matter what I do, I don't have it turned on when I get a shot.  Seems like there is already so much going through your head when calling in a bull and trying to shoot him with a bow.  Seems like a camera just puts me over the edge when focusing on killing an elk.   If I was in a tree stand I could see it happening easier.  It still happens so fast when archery hunting.

[poisonarrow]

When your camera in on your head how do you keep it on the animal while you shoot? Most of the the time my head is turned slightly to the right at the time of the shot.

[Netminder01]

When your camera in on your head how do you keep it on the animal while you shoot? Most of the the time my head is turned slightly to the right at the time of the shot.

You'll need to wear the GoPro crooked to accommodate for shooting footage. For me as a lefty (and if I wore one on my head) it would mean having the go pro on the right side of my head; sorta between my forehead and ear so that when I'm looking through my peep it aligns to my support arm. If you're a righty - just the opposite.