Editor’s Note: Ronnie “Cuz” Strickland was the shepherd of Mossy Oak Productions long before the first episode of Hunting The Country appeared on national television more than a decade ago. So, when it comes to capturing the drama of hunting through video photography, these first-person thoughts from Cuz are sure to enhance your efforts afield. Cuz writes:
The first thing you need to do is make a commitment. I have learned, and have proven time and again, that you can’t concentrate on shooting two things at once. If you truly want to videotape a hunt, you must dedicate yourself to that goal. You’ll need to become a cameraman. This doesn’t mean that you’ll have to give up your hunting. Try the buddy system, film one trip and then hunt the next. You’ll soon learn that getting a hunt on tape is as much fun and just as exciting as pulling the trigger; I can assure you that it is much harder to capture the hunt on tape than to just shooting a shotshell at a gobbler. The challenge is great and so are the rewards. Here are some other things to consider when you decide to start videotaping your hunts:
Don’t get burned out too soon. If the camera becomes a ball and chain and you’re not having fun, leave it at home. Remember that everyday in the woods is a blessing that you should enjoy to the fullest. When you make the decision to carry the camera and you want to get serious about your results, then there are some things that can aid greatly in the amount of footage you get and the quality.
Gaining access to good places is key to getting good footage. I have the pleasure of working everyday with some of the best hunters in the nation. Whether it’s Toxey Haas or a member of our Camo Camera TV crew, those in the know will all tell you it’s all about geography. Get the word out in your area that you’re filming and you might be surprised with the invitations you receive. Places that were off limits before can become accessible. Don’t be afraid to talk to landowners to gain access. All landowners like to know they are good stewards of the land. If you get on a piece of land and get footage, show it to the landowner. You may develop a relationship that will last for years.
Offer to take them or their friends or family on a hunt. Check out “NO HUNTING” areas such as wildlife refuges and state parks. Many of these areas will let you hunt with a camera, but be sure and ask permission beforehand. These no hunting areas can be a gold mine for footage. You can’t hunt with a gun, but you can call and have a chance at some rare footage that can be hard to get in areas where turkeys are hunted regularly.
If you don’t already have a video camera then picking the right one depends on what you’re going to do with it. If your goal is to just film occasionally and use it for all the normal family things, then any camera will do. If you think you might one day want to produce a video or have commercial aspirations, then some thought needs to go into this decision. Today video cameras are so good that almost any consumer grade camera will shoot high enough quality to produce a video. Digital cameras are especially high quality and are available in may price ranges.
We have a sign in all our edit rooms at Mossy Oak that read, “If your video doesn’t sound good, it doesn’t look good.” If you want your video to really take on a professional look, purchase a good remote microphone. Make sure your camera has a remote microphone jack. Find a microphone that is omni-directional and has at least a 10-foot cord. This will enable you to pick up all the natural sound and lose the camera noise that is common with cameras and their built-in microphones.
Second, buy a tripod. Get one that has a fluid or imitation fluid head for smooth pans and moves. Look for one that does not have braces between the legs. You’ll need to pull the tripod in close when sitting down and braces will hamper you form doing this.
Once you’ve got your equipment list complete, there are some tips that will get you up to speed and have your footage looking professional in a hurry. First, practice before season on small game. Spend time outdoors trying to film birds, squirrels, and cats and dogs. This will get you familiar with your camera and some of the moves you’ll need to make in the field.
Always run your camera in the manual focus mode. This will keep the camera from focusing on twigs or bushes that may be in between you and the subject you trying to film. Try and keep from zooming in and out too much. This type of footage will make the viewer seasick. Center the subject, keep it framed. Think of your viewfinder as a small TV and frame your shot as though you are watching TV at home. Once you get comfortable with the camera then there are some other pointers that will make the actual hunt footage better.
First, always shoot more footage than you think you’ll need. Shoot everything: hunters getting ready, hunters setting up and walking in the woods. Pay attention to the scenery and look for shots that will help show the viewers where you were. Tell a story. You can worry about what shots to keep and which to lose later. Try and get the hunters reactions before, during and after the hunt. Have them talk to you about where they are, what they are doing and why. All of this will help add to the final product.
Finally, if you get a complete hunt on tape, make sure the impact and the recovery are shown in a tasteful manner. Take a few minutes and think about how to show this part of the hunt. Make sure to show proper respect to the animal, his contribution to the hunt was far greater than yours. In the end, what you have done is captured a memory that will last for a lifetime. If the excitement level for you was high and the reward of capturing the hunt and the emotions were more than you expected, then you’re lucky. You may have found a way to share your love of the outdoors and with thousands of people who would never get a look into your world.
