What is The Best GoPro for Hunting in 2022
The market for hunting gear is ever-expanding, with innovations previously unimagined, making their way into the hunter’s arsenal.
Now, for many hunters, the idea of filming their hunting expeditions may be relatively new. However, those who have been using the GoPro for hunting will usually only tell you good things about the experience.
For the uninitiated, GoPros are action cameras designed for use by outdoor adventurers in extreme situations, such as sky-diving, snowboarding, or in this case, hunting.
Each GoPro has a lot to offer, but the variety available also means that it can be a little difficult to choose the right one. So here are our top picks, and a buying guide we’ve drawn up just for you.
Table of Contents
What Is the Best GoPro For Filming Hunting?
In 2021, Hero9 is the best GoPro hunting camera. However, Hero7 also has features like advanced HyperSmooth stabilization, TimeWarp, etc. that hunters like a lot.
- Top Pick: GoPro Hero9 – 5K Video and 1080p Live Stream
- Runner’s-Up: GoPro Hero7 – Gimbal-like Stabilization
Other models to consider:
To answer the question more accurately, I have to say that any model from Hero4 to Hero9 is great for capturing hunting actions in any state. That is why I have listed and reviewed other models so that you can match your needs and budget with the product.
- GoPro Hero4 Silver – Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- GoPro Hero6 – 1080p Recording at 240 FPS
- GoPro Hero Session – Compact and Convenient
- GoPro Hero5 – Durable and Versatile
The 7 Best GoPro Action Camera for Hunting
After extensive research, analysis, and discussion, these are the GoPros we’ve found best suited to hunters. Let’s dive in.
1. Top Pick: New GoPro HERO9 Black – Waterproof Action Camera
- Front Display with Rear Touch Screen
- Better stability and build quality
- Better low light shooting performance
- In-camera horizon levelling.
- Better battery performance
- Durable and waterproof
- Webcam mode and schedule capture
- 5k resolution
The most popular action camera series GoPro has brought their latest Hero 9 in late 2020. We were so excited and couldn’t wait more to write a review on this best GoPro for hunting. Along with a few minor updates, you will find two major upgrades with this newer version of GoPro. Let’s have a look over them.
Stabilization and low light video performance – these are the top two things that make you buy this new Hero 9. Trust us, you won’t find any better GoPro that produces this level of stabilization and low light video shooting performance till now.
Another praiseworthy feature that Hero 9 Black has is the in-camera horizon levelling. It immediately improves every single video you’ll shoot during your hunting. And the better night mode capturing capability will surely satisfy you when you watch your vlogs after hunting.
There’re some few minor updates too. Like if you compare the previous years’ flagship action cameras, you will find this one has a bigger display and better battery. GoPro says that it is capable of capturing extra 30% video time from that battery.
Besides, if you are bored with the same type of GoPro camera design, this one might refresh your eyes by giving a bit newer look.
This newer model comes with a width of 71mm and a depth of 33.6mm. However, having the bigger body size, it is still pocketable though.
With this Hero GoPro 9, you can now record video in 5k. But remember higher resolution doesn’t essentially mean better image quality, but it does deliver some extra detail on the videos.
There are a few more features like – webcam mode, hindsight, scheduled capture, that make the Hero 9 one of the most desired GoPro cameras for bow hunting.
So, who is this for?
If you are a night owl and have a vlogging habit, this Hero 9 is the ultimate accessory for your hunting. However, GoPro Hero 7 was the best value for money. But if you’re willing to spend more to have the newest features, this can be your next best action camera for hunting.
2. Runner’s-Up: GoPro Hero7 Black — Waterproof Action Camera
- 720p resolution for live streaming
- 4K60 video quality
- Waterproof up to 10 meters
- 16 voice commands
- Great stabilization
- Appreciable sound quality
- Easy to use
Gimbal‑like stabilization, water-resistance without additional gear, intuitive settings, and durable build quality made GoPro Hero 7 an instant hit. Its competitors are also trying very hard to offer such quality, but not a single model is as reliable as Hero 7.
We have Hero 9, the successor of Hero 7, like our top pick, which also has the same build quality and reliability. But GoPro Hero 9 has better and newer technology.
So, shouldn’t I buy GoPro Hero 7?
Yes, you should because our runner-up model won’t disappoint you. One can consider it as the budget alternative of the top pick.
The camera can shoot up to 4K60 video and capture 12MP images which are satisfactory. Also, you can stream your amazing journey, or thrilling actions live at 720p resolution.
To give your videos dramatic effects, you can slow down the frame rate up to 8 times. On the other hand, it is possible to increase the speed up to 30 times to share long videos in sharable formats.
We also like the voice command feature of this action camera that would allow you hands-free operation. No remote controller, or no need to take the help of others; you can capture everything all by yourself.
Before we wrap up, you should know that the battery backup of this camera can be an issue. It would help if you always keep extra pairs of batteries for hunting. Otherwise, this is a great product. Click our link to see the customer reviews and the best price you can get online.
3. GoPro Hero4 Silver For Hunting
- Captures professional videos of up to 1080p60
- Resistant to water to up to 40 meters of depth
- Captures 12-megapixel photos at an impressive rate of 30 fps
- Comes with in-built WiFi and Bluetooth compatibility for your convenience
- Allows you to make beautiful time-lapses effortlessly
- Has the ability to record high-quality sound
The Hero4 made quite a few waves when GoPro first released it, due mainly to the fact that it is the very first GoPro to feature a touch display. This adds a world of convenience to an already great camera; here’s what we love about it.
Right off the bat, let’s discuss what kind of photos and videos you can expect this camera to shoot. It has the ability to shoot in both 720p120 and 1080p60, so you can toggle between the two options according to the needs of the situation.
The HiLight tagging option is a great feature included with this product, allowing you to mark important moments during playback. Add to this the fact that it’s also waterproof up to 40 meters, and we’d say this could easily pass for the best GoPro for duck hunting.
And like many other GoPro cameras, this one also comes with the “QuikCapture” option, which allows you to start filming with just the single click of a button. The theme of convenience continues with the built-in WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities, which allow you to seamlessly transfer your photo and videos where you want them to be.
Now, while this is undoubtedly one of the best cameras GoPro has put out, it would be hard to deny the fact that the battery life is quite poor. Since it’s powered by lithium metal batteries, be prepared to shell out on a lot of them. But hey—everything good comes at a price, right?
4. GoPro HERO6 Black 4K Action Camera
- High-quality video stabilization and smooth footage capture
- Waterproof up to 33 feet/10 meters without waterproof casing
- Features an intuitive touch screen with a streamlined UI
- Offers an offload speed 5 times higher than older GoPro models
- Integrates GPS that can track your location, speed, elevation and more
The Hero line from GoPro is obviously one of the most impressive action cameras you can expect to find on the market, with the Hero6 taking things to a whole other level. Without a doubt, this is the most advanced GoPro we will be reviewing.
First, let’s talk about what sets this one apart from the rest. This one comes with a screen on the back of its body to allow for live video focusing. Furthermore, this little thing will automatically and directly send your footage to your phone, where your GoPro app will turn it into a beautiful QuikStory without your prompting.
What photo and video quality can you expect from this thing? 4K and 12mp, of course. But compared to the Hero5, this one comes with a better, faster-optimized chip called the G1, which will make your recording experience smooth like butter.
Plus, the Hero6 has been updated to take better low-light photos as well, so no matter what time of day it is, you can still expect beautiful photos.
Oh, and did we mention that this thing comes with a GPS function? Not only will it track your location, but it can also map your route, speed, and elevation level. You can incorporate these stats into your videos when you use your Quik desktop app.
5. GoPro HERO Session Waterproof Digital Action Camera
- Capable of recording beautiful 1440p30, 1080p60 and 720p100 video
- Captures crystal-clear photos of up to 8mp and 10fps burst photos
- Powers up with the press of just one button and shut off automatically
- Able to tolerate extreme weather conditions
- Stays waterproof down to 10 meters without waterproof casing
- Ideal for beginners who are just getting into action photography
This next one is tiny, weighing only 2.56 ounces, but don’t let that fool you, because it really packs a punch: the GoPro Hero Session is as efficient as it is small.
GoPro says that this is their simplest camera, and we believe them. It’s powered up with a single small button right on top of the camera, after which it will start recording without any further prompting. Once you’re done, the camera shuts itself down automatically, as well.
So that makes this camera perfect for those high-stakes hunting scenarios where you don’t have the time to set up or even think beyond just clicking the button.
What can the camera itself do? It captures videos of up to 1080p60 quality and photos of 8 megapixels. The image quality, as always, is breathtaking.
And don’t worry: this one is waterproof too, able to handle up to 33 feet of water. And like all the other GoPro cameras we will be looking at today, this one is also capable of capturing stunning time-lapses that will leave you in awe.
Plus, since it’s integrated with Bluetooth and WiFi technology, you can easily hook this thing up to your supplementary GoPro apps or any other compatible accessories you might have.
6. GoPro Hero5 Black — Waterproof Digital Action Camera
- Shoots brilliant and clear 4K video and 12mp photos
- Lets you playback, preview, and trim videos without having to use an app
- Equipped with QuikStories for beautifully edited videos
- Integrates voice control for greater convenience
- GoPro Plus allows you to share your photos and videos from anywhere (subscription required)
- Has the ability to capture clear and high-quality sound
The Hero5 is widely recognized as one of GoPro’s absolute best products, and for a good reason. It comes equipped with an intuitive and convenient touch display that lets you playback, preview and trim your shots all from inside the camera.
the ability to capture breathtaking 4K video and 12mp photos. The burst and time-lapse modes will ensure that you don’t miss a single frame of the action even if you’re just taking photos.
As we have come to expect from the majority of GoPro cameras, this thing is also completely waterproof (for depths of up to 33 feet), and durably constructed to boot. And although this is something you should be able to ask of any action camera, the Hero5 deserves recognition for its ability to maintain its stability while on the move. Even when you’re not using a mount, your photos and videos will show up blurry much less frequently than you would expect them to.
But it doesn’t end there: GoPro has done their best to make this camera worthy of the savviest of tech-savvy outdoor adventurers. This thing comes with integrated GPS function and voice control, while the GoPro mobile app lets you edit videos on the go. So whether it’s deer hunting, bird hunting or otherwise, this thing will be the perfect companion.
7. AKASO V50 Elite 4K60fps Touch Screen WiFi Action Camera
- Offers amazing stability no matter the amount of movement
- Records stunning 4K video and 20mp photo
- Waterproof up to a depth of 131 feet
- Can be regulated using voice control
- Equipped with automatic low-light configurations and exposure settings
Well, we’ve shown you all the good stuff from GoPro; now it’s time to look at a cheaper, but in no way less efficient, alternative. Made with the ability to capture 4K video at 60fps, 20mp photos, and equipped with a rugged and durable exterior, this is a close competitor for the GoPro Hero 5.
So what features does this thing offer?
Let’s start with the Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) this thing incorporates, which constantly calibrates the camera according to your movements. No matter how hard you’re running after your quarry, this thing stays put: it could really give the best GoPro for bow hunting a run for its money.
Furthermore, you can use voice control to navigate this little guy. So not only can you use it hands-free (using a mount), you can also direct the camera to do your bidding while you’re on the move. Plus, the view angle of the camera is also fully adjustable from the narrow, medium, and wide options.
And don’t worry, it’s waterproof! With a water resistance rate of the standard 131 feet, this camera can come along with you on any adventure, rain or shine. If you’re going deeper into the water though, remember to use a casing.
Now, do remember that this isn’t a GoPro, so it won’t perform exactly like one. While the photo, video, and audio quality are quite top-notch, especially at the price point it’s placed in; you might sometimes be dissatisfied with it. If you’re not doing any heavy-duty filming, however, we think it’s fine.
Buying Guide For The GoPro For Deer Hunting
It can be difficult figuring out what the best action camera for hunting is given the staggering amount of options on the market. However, if you keep some of the following factors in mind, the choice should be a little easier to make.
Waterproof Resistance
An action camera, be it from GoPro or any other brand, would be quite useless unless it could be used in the most extreme conditions. A lot of the time, these conditions involve water.
Many GoPro products are water-resistant to begin with, although the extent of this varies. All of the cameras we have reviewed are waterproof to 10 meters; if you require higher resistance, then you’ll need to get a waterproof case.
Mounting
One of the best things about GoPros is how they have changed the standards for versatility when it comes to action cameras. Fortunately, most GoPros can be mounted on either your shoulder or your head to allow for better shot-taking.
It’s also useful to check whether your chosen GoPro is compatible with a tripod. This will enable you to set up the camera at a distance from where you want the filming to happen.
Software Options
For those who are interested in keeping a close record of their hunting activities, time can be of the essence. Fortunately, many of the newer GoPro cameras provide the option to directly upload videos to your smartphone.
This is augmented by the ability to expand storage using SD cards. These are obviously bought separately, though, so it depends on you how much extra space you need. More on that below.
Storage
If you’ve ever used your phone to take videos, then you know that they take up a lot of storage space on your device. When it comes to GoPro cameras, which are capable of capturing 4K video, a lot of storage space is required, especially for longer hunting trips.
However, as we discussed above, the GoPro itself doesn’t come with a storage capacity. For that, you will have to buy an SD card separately, with choices from 16, 32, 64 and 128GB. The storage space required by you will depend upon how much photo and video you are capturing.
Intended Purpose
An important question you should be asking yourself when considering what the right GoPro is for your needs is, “What will I be doing with it?” The answer to this question will determine what level of performance you can benefit from.
Many hunters who use GoPros are just trying to document themselves in the act of chasing down their game. On the other hand are those who use the camera for more functional purposes, such as training. You can achieve this by looking back on the photos and videos you have captured.
If that sounds like you, then it would make sense for you to opt for a higher-end GoPro with more features such as easy mounting and long-lasting battery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Who is the GoPro used by?
As we mentioned above, it’s used primarily by those who are involved in extreme outdoor activities such as snowboarding, kayaking or, in your case, hunting.
Why do I need a GoPro?
Well, you don’t absolutely need one, of course; but if you’re interested in documenting your hunts—especially for the purposes of training—then you can definitely benefit from one of these. It’s definitely well-suited to hunters.
Do I need to use a mount with my GoPro?
The experience of using a GoPro is made significantly better when you use a mount, as they allow you to film hands-free from your shoulders and head. Who knows? You might find something surprising!
Is GoPro the only trustworthy brand for action cameras?
Absolutely not! Although GoPro has earned its good name, there are many alternative options on the market, such as the AKASO V50 Elite, which we have reviewed above.
What is the price range of GoPros?
It really varies according to the features and performance level offered by GoPro, but they usually range between $150 to $400. Once again, not every camera is the same, so it’s good to consider all the features you require before making your selection.
Conclusion
Although it’s difficult to choose the best GoPro for hunting, we’re going to put our money on the New GoPro HERO9 Black. If you’re on a tight budget, however, the GoPro Hero7 Black is a great option.
Either way, you’re about to venture into the intoxication of action photography, and we wish you good luck!