How To Film Your Own Hunt

Learning How To Film Your Own Hunt is one of the most rewarding ways to relive the adventure, share your story, and improve your hunting skills. But filming a hunt solo can be challenging—it takes the right gear, preparation, and a good plan.

This guide will walk you through what gear you need, when to hit record, and how to edit your story so your hunt looks professional and engaging.

1. Gather the Right Gear

The gear you choose sets the foundation for your footage. Think lightweight, rugged, and reliable:

• Camera options

  • Camcorders → Easy to use, long battery life, strong zoom (best for solo hunts).

  • Action cameras (GoPro, Insta360) → Hands-free POV shots, waterproof, small enough for mounts.

  • DSLR/Mirrorless cameras → Cinematic quality but require more setup.

• Stability gear

  • Manfrotto clamps/arms for tree stands or blinds

  • Lightweight tripod for steady wide shots

  • Action cam mounts (bow, rifle, hat, chest harness)

• Audio gear

  • Shotgun mic for directional audio

  • Lapel mic for narration in the field

  • Wind covers to cut down outdoor noise

• Other essentials

  • Extra batteries (cold weather drains them fast)

  • Large SD cards (formatted before each hunt)

  • Camo wraps to conceal gear

Unsure about what gear to use? Here are The Best Camera Setups for Filming Hunts

2. When to Set Up Your Gear

Timing is everything. You don’t want to spook game by fumbling with equipment.

• Before the hunt: Set up stationary cameras (tripods, tree stand clamps) early. Double-check framing.

• During setup: Mount POV/action cams (bow, hat, rifle) so they’re ready to roll.

• Pre-hunt check: Do a quick test record to confirm angles, sound, and focus.

Tip: Keep your gear setup as minimal as possible—extra movement in the woods can cost you your shot.

3. What to Film — Key Shots to Capture

To tell the full story, you need more than the “shot.” Build the narrative with these clips:

• Establishing shots → Landscape, sunrise, walking to your stand/blind

• Gear prep → Loading your pack, stringing your bow, setting calls

• Hunting action → Calling, scanning, drawing your bow, taking the shot

• The harvest → Your reaction, recovery, ethical respect for the animal

• B-roll (filler footage) → Close-ups of boots crunching leaves, arrows, camo fabric, wildlife in the distance

Pro Tip: B-roll is what makes your hunt video cinematic—it gives context and depth beyond the action shot.

4. When to Hit Record

It’s tempting to save battery, but missed moments kill a story. Follow these rules:

• Rolling during key moments → At sunrise, while calling, when game is in sight

• Pre-action → Always record before drawing or shouldering your weapon

• Harvest + reaction → Never skip this—it’s the emotional heart of your story

• Transition points → Walking in/out, adjusting gear, changing locations

If in doubt, hit record early—you can always cut in editing.

5. Using Voiceovers

Sometimes in-field audio won’t cut it. A voiceover can fill in gaps:

• Use in-field audio when: Whispering, calling, or natural sounds tell the story on their own.

• Add voiceover when: Explaining strategy, clarifying what happened, or narrating parts of the hunt where audio was poor.

Pro tip: Record your voiceover later in a quiet environment and layer it over your B-roll or wide shots.

6. Editing Your Hunt Video

Editing is where your story comes alive. Keep it clean, engaging, and respectful of the hunt.

• Structure it like a story:

  • Intro → The setup and your goals

  • Build-up → Challenges, calling, anticipation

  • Climax → The harvest shot

  • Resolution → Reaction, recovery, closing thoughts

• Use B-roll wisely: Layer it between big moments to keep pacing smooth.

• Add music carefully: Subtle, outdoorsy tracks enhance the feel without overwhelming natural sounds.

• Trim the fluff: Viewers don’t need to watch 30 minutes of waiting—cut to the highlights.

Pro Tip: If you're looking for a free beginner editing software, Canva is a great option. If your looking for a free professional editing software, DaVinci Resolve is a great option.

Final Thoughts

Filming your own hunt takes planning, patience, and practice, but it’s absolutely worth it. By preparing your gear, filming more than just the shot, and editing with storytelling in mind, you’ll create a video that’s not only a memory—but an adventure worth sharing.