Hunting equipment has dramatically changed over the years.
Gone are the days of looking for wild game with nothing but a knife and muzzle loader. Now we have high-tech game calls, range finders, GPS units, and more.
And along with the latest batch of hunting gear is a device that is typically used by outdoor thrill seekers: the GoPro camera.
Let’s take a look at some of the best gopro for hunting adventures.
Here’s Editor’s Choice
GoPro Hero Session
- Simple, grab and go operation with a compact, waterproof design and...
- Easy one button control press the button once to power on the camera...
- Designed to withstand extreme environments and conditions, Hero...
Why is it better?
- Compact, low-profile design
- Simple-to-use, always-on operation
- Great video quality
4 Best GoPro for Hunting Adventures
With that in mind, let’s now take a closer look at our top picks.
Let’s dive into the specifics and review each camera individually. You can use the list below to jump and review specific models, or you can read along and go through all the information.
Best Overall: GoPro Hero5 Session
- Simple, grab and go operation with a compact, waterproof design and...
- Easy one button control press the button once to power on the camera...
- Designed to withstand extreme environments and conditions, Hero...
The GoPro HERO Session is number one on our list due to the ease of use, the durability of the design, and its reasonable price point.
Featuring a durable external design that doesn’t require casing or any other protection to be used in harsh environments, this GoPro acts as a standard deviation for all other GoPros, meaning that it has the base features that you should look for in any GoPro.
With a high battery life, as well as a simple press to record set up, this GoPro is perfect for use in situations where you want a head-mounted GoPro, or you want to record a long take of footage.
With the simple-to-use design, as well as its overall reliability, it’s easy to see why the GoPro HERO Session is perfect for use on hunting trips.
While this unit is not as advanced as some of the other ones in our roundup, for someone who is just branching off into the GoPro scene, or who is not entirely sure that they need the over-the-top, high-definition footage offered by other GoPros, this GoPro is right up their alley.
Perfect for recording small snippets of hunting trips, longer periods of fishing, or for being set on a tripod and recording shooting range practice, this GoPro is sure to add to your hunting experience.
With a very competitive price point, this is the perfect start-out investment for someone who is thinking about starting up their own hunting channel online, or who is just looking to save footage of some of their favorite hunting trips without the hassle of bringing a full-scale camera out into the woods.
Pros
- Compact, low-profile design
- Simple-to-use, always-on operation
- Great video quality
- Improved audio
- Waterproof without bulky housing
Cons
- Expensive
Features
- Compatible with existing GoPro mounts
- Dual mics deliver good sound
Product Information
- Video Quality: 1440p30 / 1080p60
- Photo Quality: 8MP / 10FPS Burst / Time Lapse
- Waterproof: Yes
- GPS: No
GoPro HERO5 Session
- The GoPro Hero 5 session includes: Hero5 session camera, standard...
- Make sure your GoPro is charged; To charge your camera, use USB cable...
- Additional GoPro Hero5 session features + benefits below on item page;...
The GoPro HERO5 Session is a step up from our number one option in some ways, as it offers burst photography options, which are perfect for someone who is looking to use their GoPro to scout out an area before they begin hunting.
However, this means that this GoPro is a bit more complex to operate, and is not necessarily as easy to use if you are a beginner to the GoPro scene.
If you’re looking for something to take on your hunting trip that is going to withstand even the most intensive weather conditions, the GoPro HERO5 Session is right up your alley. Much like the other GoPro units, the Hero 5 is waterproof up to 33ft, which makes it rain and other weather conditions resistant.
This GoPro is perfect for the individual who has played around with GoPros before and is looking to take their recording up to the new game, especially in regards to hunting.
While it is not recommended to leave this GoPro out in the woods overnight without supervision, the GoPro HERO5 Session’s waterproof housing can allow it to act as a high-tech trail cam for a short time period, allowing you to scout out an area or capture scenic shots on your camping trip.
One thing to consider when researching this GoPro is its initial investment price point.
While it is definitely worth the cost in the long run for someone who is looking for a more high-tech recording option, this GoPro is not necessarily for the person who is looking to record themselves hunting every once in awhile, as it does require a bit higher learning curve to get familiar with all the features.
However, if you are looking for more than just an entry-level camera to help you record your hunting or fishing trip, the GoPro HERO5 Session may be the perfect option – at a reasonable price – to help you get the most out of your hunting footage.
Pros
- Great design
- Fast, responsive app
- Digital image stabilization
- 4K resolution
- Waterproof to 33 feet without a case
Cons
- No removable battery
Features
- Easy operation
- Small size opens up mounting options
Product Information
- Video Quality: 4K30 / 1440p60 / 1080p90
- Photo Quality: 10MP / 30FPS Burst / Time Lapse
- Waterproof: Yes
- GPS: Yes
GoPro HERO5 Black
- Stunning 4k video and 12MP photos in single, burst and time lapse...
- Durable by design, Hero5 black is waterproof to 33 feet (10 meter)...
- Additional GoPro Hero5 black features + benefits below on item page...
The GoPro HERO5 Black takes recording GoPro footage to the next level with an incredible extended battery life that is able to record upwards of 60 to 90 hours of continuous 4K footage without needing to be recharged.
Like the above option, this GoPro is made to sustain itself in water up to the submerged depth of 33ft, and can survive in unfriendly environments without the need of an external casing, making it lightweight and easy to use.
This GoPro is a small enough size that you can fit it easily into your hunting pack without having to take out any essentials you’d need for your hunting trip, and without adding extra weight to a long trek into your ideal hunting spot.
The GoPro HERO5 Black does fall into the realm of more complicated when it comes to managing the various features.
While it does still feature the click to film option for the camera, this product does also come equipped with single and lapse shot options, with the ability to take burst of photos in intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 and seconds.
While the GoPro HERO5 Black is perfect for someone who is looking for the slo-mo details on what is going on in the field, it may not be necessary in the case of someone who is looking simply for video recording features.
Our placement in the number 3 spot on this list does not indicate that this GoPro is not a fantastic option for anyone who’s looking for more complex recording features for the hunting trip, rather that it might not be useful for everyone, so you should gauge the right kind of GoPro for your unique hunting trip capture needs.
Pros
- Superb image quality
- Effective electronic image stabilisation
- Great microphones
- Waterproof without a case (to 10m)
- Additional still image functions
Cons
- Old batteries incompatible
Features
- Improved design
- Easy-to-use
Product Information
- Video Quality: 4K30 / 1440p80 / 1080p120
- Photo Quality: 12MP / 30 FPS Burst / Time Lapse
- Waterproof: Yes
- GPS: Yes
GoPro HERO6 Black
- HERO6 black automatically sends your footage to your phone where the...
- With 4k60 and 1080p240 video, HERO6 black delivers 2x the performance...
- With our most advanced video stabilization yet, HERO6 black captures...
The GoPro HERO6 Black is by far the most technologically-advanced GoPro on this list, and comes with a wide range of additional features, from allowing you to send your video directly to your phone in the form of a quick edited video, to including some of the same features as the GoPro above, such as rapid image capture in a variety of intervals.
The GoPro HERO6 Black Is unique on this list, as it features a live video focusing screen on the back, so you don’t have to wait until you download your hunting footage to see what is going on.
This allows you to frame your shots better than ever, and help saves you from the issue of getting to your computer and realizing that your shot was incorrectly set up or, worse, blurry.
This GoPro features the highest level of stabilizing available to a small camera, allowing you to use it in shaky and unsteady environments without having to worry about losing the image entirely.
After all, GoPros are made to use in intensive circumstances, evidenced by the fact that this GoPro can also survive submersion up to 33 ft without an additional external casing.
The GoPro HERO6 Black features 5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity capabilities, so you can edit your films on the go right on your phone, without having to worry about a lengthy download period.
This GoPro is the most updated and intensive GoPro on the market, making it a bit harder to get used to using. However, every GoPro on this list is perfect for use in a wide range of hunting situation, it just all depends on the unique technology needs of the hunter.
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line recording option to capture hunting footage, scenery, or to record an instructional video on bow hunting, the GoPro HERO6 Black may be the perfect fit for you.
Pros
- Set Your Own numeric combination
- Steel and zinc body for maximum durability
- Features positive locking with adjustable ratchet mechanism
- Special rubber pads protect gun’s finish from marring or scratching
- 3 dial combination security for keyless convenience
Cons
- Lock programming
Features
- Super-slow-motion 240fps video
- Much better Wi-Fi transfer speeds
Product Information
- Video Quality: 4K60 / 2.7K120 / 1080p240
- Photo Quality: 12MP / 30 fps Burst / Time Lapse
- Waterproof: Yes
- GPS: Yes
Buying Advice
Most high-tech hunters use their GoPro to keep track of their previous hunting trips, and to track and see how they can perform better later on.
Other hunters use it as a form of training for themselves, as they can watch their own actions and track back what they did wrong and right and improve accordingly.
Most GoPros allow you to take continuous video, as well as photo burst options, and allow you to capture snippets of what’s going on on the field with the press of a button.
The appeal of GoPros comes with their versatility, as you can mount the video camera on your head or shoulder for ease of in-person film footage, or they can be set up on a tripod at a distance to capture a full shot.
This is useful for people who are practicing aiming with various forms of weaponry, or are looking to get a view on the whole scene at once.
GoPro’s line of personal stunt cameras ranks number one on our list of small-scale cameras for recreational use due to their durability, and their commitment to always upgrading and innovating their technology.
Many forms of GoPro are also water resistant up to a moderate depth, which allows you to take your GoPro with you both hunting and fishing without worrying about causing damage to the camera.
Some of the newest version of GoPro cameras now allow you to send video directly to your mobile device at the push of a button, saving you download time and allowing you to review your footage on the go.
With storage add on capabilities that are only limited by the size of SD card you invest in, you don’t have to worry about running out of space mid-shot.
Compatible with most editing software, you can have a professional grade video in no time with GoPro’s high quality video capture features, which allows you to review any footage that you take on the go.
Perfect to help you self-analyze your deer hunting techniques, and to save some of your personal favorite hunts to your computer or other storage device.
Using GoPro For Outdoor Activities
Here is a great video explaining how to us a GoPro to catch hunting footage:
When it comes to using your GoPro for hunting, fishing, or any other outdoor activities, reading the instructions is key to make sure that you are using your GoPro to its full potential.
While fairly simple to use to film your hunts, GoPros are a form of complicated technology, and as such, reading the instruction manual is key to making sure that you’re not missing out on any important features or operational functions that your GoPro has to offer.
Make sure to check if your GoPro comes installed with an SD card, or you may have to invest in one on your own.
When choosing the right SD card for your GoPro, keep in mind the amount of storage that you may end up using.
High quality videos do take up a fair amount more space than your average trail cam, and as such you should make sure that your SD card size matches your projected video output.
If you are using your GoPro for personal viewpoint footage, investing in the GoPro headset is a must, as it allows you to easily anchor your GoPro, so that you don’t have to worry about stability while you are on the go.
The GoPro headset is much easier to use in instances where a long shot is not possible, such as moving long distances through the woods, or in cases like fishing, where having a tripod on the edge of the shore may not catch anything, and could be interfered with by the weather, nature, or other people.
Before going out in the field in your GoPro, it may be a good idea to practice your filming technique using some test shots.
This will give you a good idea of how a certain shot looks when done on your GoPro and allows you to have a trial and error run that won’t result in you losing irreplaceable footage of your hunting trip.
Try recording while the GoPro is mounted on your head and you are moving at increased speeds, or record objects from a distance that are moving quite quickly while the GoPro is set up on a tripod, to see if the capture settings for your GoPro work best for you.
While a GoPro is an amazing piece of technology, much like every other piece of technology, you will only get out of it as much as you are willing to put in, meaning that knowing the right operational skills necessary to work the GoPro will drastically increase the quality of hunting footage that you put out.
If you are someone who likes to analyze footage of past hunting trips, are looking for an easy way to capture footage of future shooting range visits, or are looking to film anything in between, a GoPro might be just what you need to take your hunting trip experience to the next level, and to help you catch more than you’re next big buck.
If you’re looking to take your hunting to the next level a GoPro maybe the right investment for you.
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I love GoPro cameras for capturing my adventures! They are so versatile and easy to use.