Most people think of a GoPro as a helmet or handlebar camera. But these are high-quality cameras capable of far more than action sports. Hunters have been using GoPros for years to capture trail footage, tree stand video, and first-person bow shots that no standard trail camera can match. The video quality alone makes a GoPro worth considering as a hunting camera — and the right mount makes all the difference.
This guide covers three specific GoPro hunting mount scenarios: trail camera use on a tree, tree stand mounting, and compound bow mounting. Each situation has different requirements, and we have a specific pick for each one. For those looking to mount their phone while hunting, see our guide to phone mounts for hunters.
GoPro for Hunting: What You Need to Know First
Using a GoPro for hunting is different from using it for action sports. The camera is typically stationary or attached to something that moves slowly and deliberately. That changes what you need from a mount. You do not need maximum vibration resistance — you need solid positioning, weather protection, and discreet placement.
Always use your GoPro’s protective housing when hunting outdoors. Rain, morning dew, mud, and cold temperatures can damage an unprotected camera quickly. The housings are purpose-built for outdoor exposure and all the mounts we cover here are designed to work with the housing in place.
Hunters also have specific camera lens requirements. If you plan to record video actively, your rear camera lens must remain unobstructed. Most cradle and clamp mounts leave the back of the camera exposed. Check the product photos before purchasing to confirm your lens has a clear line of sight in the mounted position.
Best Tree Mount for Trail Camera Use: HME Better Camera Holder
A trail camera is normally screwed or strapped directly to a tree. The HME Better Camera Holder Tree Mount takes a better approach. Instead of mounting the camera flush against the bark, this mount uses a pivot arm that holds the camera away from the tree. That gives you far more angle control than a direct-mount strap ever could.
The mount screws directly into the tree with a single large lag screw. Once in, the camera arm pivots and swivels on a locking head that rotates a full 360 degrees and tilts 120 degrees up and down. You can dial in the exact angle you need — whether that is pointing straight down a trail, angled at a feeding area, or tilted upward toward a stand location. The mount uses a standard 1/4-20 tripod thread, which is the universal camera mount standard. A GoPro adapter screws onto that thread to complete the setup.
The HME mount is built from heavy-duty materials designed to withstand extended outdoor exposure. It does not rust, crack, or loosen in freezing temperatures. The lag screw base holds firmly in most tree species without requiring pre-drilling. This is a purpose-built hunting mount that has been on the market for years and continues to earn strong reviews from hunters who use it season after season.
Best Tree Stand Mount: GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp
Mounting a GoPro to a tree stand rather than directly to a tree has real advantages. The stand is elevated and less visible from the ground. The clamp attaches without damaging the tree. And you can reposition it quickly between hunts without tools.
The GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp Mount is the best option for this use case and is a GoPro official product. The clamp jaw opens wide enough to grip most tree stand rails, ladder rungs, and platform edges. A rubber coating on the inner jaw prevents slipping and protects the finish of your stand. The flexible neck is approximately 8 inches long and bends into any position. It holds that position firmly without drooping under the weight of a GoPro — even with the protective housing attached.
The GoPro-compatible ball joint at the end provides additional fine-tuning of camera angle after the neck is positioned. This two-stage adjustment — bend the neck for gross positioning, dial the ball joint for fine-tuning — gives you more precise control than any rigid arm mount can offer. Installation and removal take under 30 seconds. The Jaws clamp is compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket on the walk in to your stand.
Best Compound Bow Mount: GoPro Gun Rod and Bow Mount
Mounting a GoPro to a compound bow gives you a filming angle that no other setup can replicate. The camera captures exactly what the hunter sees at the moment of the shot — the draw, the release, the flight of the arrow. It is a compelling perspective for personal recording and for hunting content creators alike.
A Gun, Rod and Bow Mount is a good option for this purpose. The mount uses two rubber-lined clamp bands that wrap around the bow riser or stabilizer. The bands are adjustable and hold firmly without damaging the bow finish. The mount includes both a short straight arm and a longer offset arm, giving you two camera position options depending on your preference.
The mount points the camera in the same direction as your arrow, forward toward the target. This is the critical advantage over chest or head mounts, which capture the hunter’s perspective but often miss the actual shot angle. You can also flip the mount to face the camera back toward yourself, capturing your draw and release from the front. Some bow hunters mount two GoPros simultaneously using both arm positions to get both angles at once.
The GoPro Gun, Rod and Bow Mount works equally well on rifles, fishing rods, and kayak paddle shafts — so it is not a single-use hunting accessory. It travels well and stores easily in a pack without taking up much space. This is a GoPro official product backed by GoPro’s standard warranty.
