what to do
 

ok, this past weekend i went out to film my brother shoot his first bow deer and we had 4 deer walk to about 10 yards and i didnt want to move the camera around the tree because it just seemed like it would be so easy to get spotted so i didnt and he got his first deer but not on camera .............how would you handle this situation , just go ahead and move the camera or just do what i did

RE: what to do
 

I had a similar situation the other day. You 2 need to communicate and locateHIS shooting lanes andYOUR filming lanes when you first get set up. Next time, when you see the deer coming in, try to anticipate that hemight notget a shot on the left (for example) side of the tree and move the camera to the other side before they get so close. He of course must then have the patience to wait until the deer pass into the camera's view before taking the shot. Then again, it depends on what goals you have in mind for that hunt. Sometimes shooting the deer is more important then getting it on film, other times you won't take the shot UNLESS it's on film. If putting a deer on the ground is more important, then film what you can. If you're unable to get the shot on film, get as much as you can and get on the deer as soon as the hunter shoots. Then do your post shot interview and everything else. You can still do a good job of capturing the essence of the hunt - even without the impact shot. GOOD LUCK!

RE: what to do
 

Good advice.

I always try to move the camera into position the moment I see the deer,if you are high enough in the tree the deer should not spot you if you move slowly and deliberatly.I always move the camera, even if I feel I will get busted, because without being on camera the deer is going to get a pass anyway. Sometimes you gotta take a risk and hope it works, if it doesn't , move set ups the next time and try again;)

RE: what to do
 

That's also good advice! How do you handle that situation with the hunter? Does the hunter know thay you'll be moving the camera and should expect that the deercould spot you and that is just a risk you take when filming? OR do you just do it and explain to the hunter later if the deer gets spooked? If I was filming for a friend I think I would just go for it and try to move the camera to get the shot, but if filming for a client, I'm not certain I would take the risk unless we talked about it before hand - think I'm going to be having this conversation with clients before we get into the tree and see what they prefer I do.
THANKS.

RE: what to do
 

thanks a lot guys........these 4 does walked in on where i had the camera setup but at the last moment they switched the side of my tree they were goin to pass by, now that he shot his first, i wont be as nervous to move the camera

RE: what to do
 

Go ahead and move the camera...take the risk....make sure the cam is quiet..even on the nights when you hear leaves drop...the arm should be silent... I'd try to work on seeing the shot before it happens...Swing that cam in front of the animal and try to picture everything coming into play...image where you think the shot will be and get the cam there...

just my opinion! its ok...you'll have another chance tomorrow:)

RE: what to do
 

It is usually understood that w/o footage the deer does not get shot...........however there are situations where a client might not be that concerned about getting the shot on tape so much as capturing the rest of the hunt............In those situations I would not be so quick to move the camera as to take the risk of spooking the animal, but even then I would be doing my best to get the camera into position to capture the shot. If you are taping for a client that is not using the footage for anything but personal use, you definately want to go over that senario as well as many others that might arise.........If capturing a hunt for broadcast , most hunters know what is expected of them in that situation, but it's still a good idea to make sure everyone is on the same page.