HOW TO KEEP THE HUNT OF A LIFETIME

What's The Best Equipment For Better Video?

EDITOR'S NOTE: We don't have to depend on our memories to relive the best hunts of our lifetimes. Modern technology enables us to capture the essence of great hunts, good hunts and even enjoyable, non-productive hunts through video. But how do you film your hunt and try to take game at the same time? Which cameras will serve you best? What's the best technique for getting top-notch footage? Where and how can you get a hunting buddy to shoot footage for you instead of trying to take a deer or a turkey for himself? Can you make a living shooting hunting videos? To learn the answers to these questions and more, we've interviewed some of the best videographers in the outdoor industry. These people use video cameras to tape television shows and to create the best-selling videos in the nation. Follow their advice to make the kind of videos your friends will lean out of their chairs to watch instead of nodding off to sleep when you turn on the VCR.

A seasoned veteran in the outdoor video business, Michael Waddell of Columbus, Georgia, helps to produce Realtree Outdoors television shows and the "Monster Bucks" video series by Realtree. Waddell worked as a videographer before he became an on-camera personality and a behind-the-scenes producer. Today he shoots much of the raw footage for both the videos and the television shows.
Waddell recommends DVD-formatted cameras for amateur videographers. "These new cameras are taking the market by storm, and you can purchase them at Circuit City or any other retailer who sells video equipment," explains Waddell. "I like the compact Sony DRVT 900 model cameras. You can purchase 60-minute tapes for this camera that has digital audio and video."

Waddell also suggests that you buy a camera with a steady-cam feature. "This device steadies your footage while you video and helps to eliminate camera shake. Always use a video tripod or treepod when shooting from a stationary platform; however, this steady-cam feature also will dramatically improve the quality of a video when you have to hold the camera in your hand and can't use a tripod.
"We at Realtree have recognized that more hunters are taking video cameras into the woods to record their hunts. For this reason, we're bringing a new product to the market known as the Treehawk. This device, which screws into the tree and can be used to mount your camera while you're in a tree stand, is sold at local sporting-goods dealer or on Realtree's website."

How To Shoot Better Video

Have you ever watched a home hunting video with a buddy and had your friend say, "You see that crooked limb coming out from that giant water oak? Well, you can't see him, but a monster buck is standing under that limb." Then you ask yourself, "Why am I watching this video if I can't see the monster buck my buddy's been bragging about?" Home videographers often find that deer move the most when they don't have enough light to shoot quality video. Or, they may shoot in bad light, and no one can see what's on the video. To solve this problem, Waddell suggests setting your tree stand so that you have the sun at your back whenever possible. This setup provides maximum light to shoot low-light hunts, since you won't have another light source other than the sun. To achieve a well-lit video, you must have ample sunlight on your subjects-both the hunter and the deer.
Waddell also recommends you pinpoint the spot in the woods that combines peak light with buck appearance. Oftentimes a buck may stop in an opening on his way to and from primary feeding areas like greenfields or agricultural fields. Also, Waddell reminds videographers that if you have the sun shining in front of you or straight at you, zoom in as tightly as possible on the deer to minimize lens glare on your video

TOMORROW: HOW TO DECIDE WHO GETS TO HUNT AND WHO GETS TOVIDEO AND MAKE MONEY