I bow hunt from a blind over decoys, I just started video tapeing last season. It was great but very shakey; a six pack of jakes at 15 yards, then a hawk landed in a dead tree! Was that a sight those jakes were connected on a string like puppets watching every move that red tail made. Two yearlings at 10 yards till they winded me. I am looking for a tri-pod and any other tips....

Scott,

I use a small tri-pod that I painted camo and drape a headnet over my camera. I am not hunting from a blind so I don't want that silver camera standing out. I just started last season too. What a ball!

Safe and Happy Hunting!
My Hunting Page

Camo-duct tape works excellent when covering a camera. I did this to mine (my wife was going to kill me for it) and now I don't have to worry about netting and stuff falling off when the time is critical. I first took several strips of tape and stuck them to a few sheets of wax paper. This allows you to cut out small sections of the tape and wax paper and make exact patterns to fit sections of your camera without the tape sticking. I have bought a small tri-pod and camo'ed the legs on it with tape also. After each season, I retape or camo it again. The old tape will come right off without screwing up the finish of your camera. There might be a little of the glue from the tape left, but it rubs right off, no problem!

I haven't gotten the nerve to put camo tape on mine yet. The head net works really well, so for the time being I am going to have to stick with that. My wife would kill me if I put tape all over that thing.

Safe and Happy Hunting!
My Hunting Page

I have video taped turkey hunts for several years and have found that the slik u212 deluxe tripod works very well. It has a fluid head and the legs will adjust to about any position which is very important. I used a como cloth cover that was large enough to drape over the camera and the tripod to make the setup look like a stump. An old camo t-shirt also works good. Last year I went to an insulated, waterproof cover but they are expensive and you need to paint/tape the tripod. If your camcorder has a mic jack, I would suggest getting a wired mic and put it out on the ground in front of you that way any noise you make with the camera or call will not over power the natural "outdoor" sounds.

These guys about got it all covered...lol
A few other tips, definately go with an external mic due to the distortion of your calls if you don't and if at all possible go with a digital camera.

just my 2 cents....lol

Hadn't thought about the external mic. Great idea. I am headed to ebay to try and find one. Thanks!

Safe and Happy Hunting!
My Hunting Page