Finding a good camera arm for self-filming your hunt might be a challenge. After 13.5 hours of research, I found 5 best camera arms for hunting.
You can enjoy your hunting trip with your kids on a tree stand or use it for saddle hunting. Here they are:
Best Hunting Camera Arms for Self Filming:
Best Camera Arm for Hunting Reviews:
1. Fourth Arrow Stiff Arm (Kit):
(Best Camera Arm For Self Filming Hunts)
If you are looking for a camera arm that is super smooth for run and gun setup, you should check out the Fourth Arrow Stiff Arm kit.
Specs:
- Weight: 4 lb 8 oz
- Weight capacity: 10 lbs
- Reach: 3.1'
Super Smooth Arm
You will have no problem panning your camera with the arm fully extended.
It is excellent for self-filming your hunt and is a perfect option for run-and-gun hunters.
Easy and Quiet to Setup
I liked that you can set up and adjust the camera arm without a tool. With the Fourth Arrow stiff arm, you will never have to worry about forgetting your wrench at home.
The entire setup takes only three steps:
Solid Set up
The string Talon base bites into the tree hard, so you don’t have to worry about dropping your expensive camera.
The best part?
The compact base is super light and weighs only 2 pounds.
So, you won’t need a large and bulky base for large trees anymore. It’s the perfect camera for run-and-gun setups.
Pro tips:
You should set up extra bases in different trees. It will save you plenty of weight, and you only need to carry one arm.
Unlimited leveling on shoulder
The shoulder enables 360-degree rotation and 60 degrees of total angle. So you can level on any tree without issues.
Super Lightweight
The whole package weighs only 4 pounds and 8 ounces. It is a much smaller camera arm than the Muddyy arm, so it’s easier to carry in and out of the woods.
The weight rating of this camera arm is up to 10 pounds, which works flawlessly with most handheld cameras.
However, you should check the camera and fluid head weight before installing.
Note:
The camera arm might get some shake due to the lightweight design. Tighten the camera with a bigger strap, which should fix the issue.
Made in the USA
Another advantage of this camera arm is that it’s made in the USA, which tells us a lot about its quality.
Downside
What I didn’t like so much is that this camera arm is relatively expensive - but it’s worth every penny.
The texture of the arm can make some noise, which can make you noticeable in the woods.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Lone Wolf Custom Gear Pocket Arm:
If you are looking for a camera arm for saddle hunting, the Lone Wolf custom gear pocket arm is the way to go.
It’s perfect for filming your buddy hunting, as it can hold your camera with peace of mind.
Specs:
- Weight: 1.6 lbs
- Weight capacity: 10 lbs
- Reach: 2.4'
Low Profile
Thanks to the low profile made out of aluminum, this is the lightest camera arm on the list. The whole setup weighs only 1.6 pounds, excluding the camera and the head.
Game Changer
The camera arm is so compact and portable that you can easily fit it in your pocket. You could also fold it and haul it around the woods with ease.
It’s smaller than the Four Arrow arm, so that you can save plenty of space in your pack.
Super Strong
This camera arm is a traditional 3-section and has a 29-inch reach. It’s ample enough to catch your game, and you can freely reach around the trees to capture your shot.
The base grips the tree solidly. The triple arm is sturdy enough to hold a 5-pound camera when fully extended, but nothing heavier.
Note:
If you use a heavier DSLR camera, fold down to a single or double arm with a camera that weighs up to 10 pounds.
Simple, Quick & Quiet to Mount
The buckle strap reduces the noise when you tighten it. It’s different from a ratchet strap, so you don't need to worry about spooking your game.
The strap can accommodate trees of 4 to 18 inches in diameter - so if you want to put your camera arm on larger trees, I advise you to get extra long straps.
The nice rubber coating makes it easy to tighten the strap, even with gloves in the dark. You can put everything together in 2 minutes, which is neat.
Nice & Smooth Operation
The bubble level is easy to center, allowing you to level it on any tree shape. With this camera, you will always be ready when your buck appears.
Also, another hook is built at the bottom, so it’s handy to hang your bow, backpack, or any extra gears.
Downside
This fantastic camera arm is a particular downside: it’s costly.
Note that there is a little bounce if you use a heavy camera, making your video look shaky. But it’s a trade-off, as the camera arm is super lightweight and time-saving during setup.
You can fix it if you pan slowly, so it’s alright.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Out On A Limb The Reach:
Out On A Limb The Reach camera arm provides a thin and short profile for mobile hunters who find a puzzle to the versatile hunting setup.
You can ease your self-filming adventure and get better videos.
Specs:
- Weight: 2.875 lbs
- Weight capacity: 10 lbs
- Reach: 2'
Great & Lightweight
The whole setup weighs only 46 ounces, thanks to the aluminum construction.
It’s 1 pound lighter than the Four Arrow arm, but it is heavier than Lone Wolf, so it’s a big deal for saddle hunters who are limited weight-wise.
Thin Profile
It’s a super package in the pouch for mobile and saddle hunters. However, it has the shortest reach - only 24 inches.
Well Built
This heavy-duty camera arm is built to withstand up to 10 pounds.
It’s nice to support your handy cams, but with heavier cams, you might not be able to level them when hanging.
Unlimited Leveling
The shoulder ball allows you to move your arm in any direction. On the other hand, remember that it can make some noise.
Versatile 3-Section Arm
You can move the arm side to side to film your hunt no matter where the deer appears.
The best part is that the last arm can swing 360 degrees to the other two, allowing for a video from any angle.
Easy to Use
You can install the camera arm and adjust it using no tools.
The operation runs smoothly, and the base grabs the crooked trees well without wobble, so you can easily mount the arm on any tree.
Smooth & Super Quiet
The buckle strap is 2-inches wide and tightens around the tree, making zero noise.
The top hat bushing prevents metal-on-metal contact, which quiets it down, and the Teflon washers provide smooth swing motion.
Downside
This camera is expensive, but it is worth every dime.
The reach is short and can be noisy to level the camera arm. Also, it’s not the best option for heavy cameras.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Muddy Outfitter Camera Arm:
If you are looking for a professional hunting camera arm, the Muddy Outfitter camera arm is undoubtedly the way to go. It is solid as a rock and holds your heavy cameras well.
Specs:
- Weight: 6.3 lbs
- Weight capacity: 10 lbs
- Reach: 3'
Budget-Friendly
This is a professional-grade arm, as it’s very sturdy and durable for heavy cameras. It will free your hands from aiming at deer from your tree stand.
Sturdy & Solid
This camera arm is solid as a rock and has a weight rating of 10 pounds.
The ratchet strap is much bigger than the Fourth Arrow strap and will hold your camera stable without bouncing.
Pretty Versatile
The ⅜ mount can attach most camera fluid heads, and you can easily change the mount by replacing the bolt.
The leveling system is a bit limited with two different level systems:
It’s pretty easy to adjust vertically and horizontally quietly, but it’s not as handy as the Fourth Arrow stiff arm.
Great reach
As for the size, this camera arm has an astonishing 3-feet reach, and you can set it up on any treestand. I loved the reach, as it allows you to film anything easily.
Heavy Weight
This camera arm feels sturdy and solid but also has a sturdy weight - 6.3 pounds. It’s much harder to pack than other camera arms in this list, as you cannot fold it up.
It is not the best option for mobile and saddle hunters, as it takes a lot of precious space, which is already limited when moving.
Bulky base
The base is bulky, as well as the strap - it weighs 5 pounds.
It adds extra stability for heavier cameras, so you don’t have to worry about your camera moving or falling off.
Downside
I didn’t like that the base is huge and heavy - it adds stability, but it makes this camera arm a poor choice for mobile hunters.
The arm is also not too versatile, so you will need to find a straight tree in a fixed stand position.
Also, this arm is difficult to set up in many different locations. The strap’s somewhat noisy, and the camera mount is not included.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Muddy Hunt Hard Camera Arm:
If you are only getting into filming, you are probably looking for something more budget-friendly, and this is the ideal solution for you. It’s the go-to camera arm for first time self filmers.
Specs:
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Weight capacity: 6 lbs
- Reach: 2'
Best Bang for Buck
This camera arm comes in a ready-to-hunt complete package. You get a ¼-20 fluid head so that you will save some bucks.
It is a functional and tough-built arm, and it will undoubtedly make filming hunting much more enjoyable.
Massive Size
This camera arm offers a total reach of 24 inches and will work flawlessly with small to medium trees.
However, note that this camera arm is quite bulky for transporting, so it might take a lot of space in your pack.
Heavy Weight
This camera weighs 5 pounds, so it’s pretty heavy for a 2-section arm. It’s nice for a treestand setup for filming.
Low weight rating
It has a low weight rating - only 6 pounds, so it’s suitable for small cameras.
The included fluid head is not top-notch, but it works fantastic with light-action cameras.
The ratchet strap is short, and tightening the strap can be noisy.
Smooth Motion
The mounting head can smoothly swivel 180 degrees, which provide a wide range of angle.
The operational base features a 4-point contact and a vast ratchet strap. You can mount it on any angle of a trunk or bench, holding your camera steady without worrying about camera shake or imbalance.
Pro tips:
I advise you to get extra mount brackets and set them up in different stands to extend your hunt. That way, you can switch between multiple hunting spots.
Easy to use and setup
It’s pretty handy to set up, thanks to the center bubble leveling - it will take less than one minute.
There is also a quick release for the camera with one push button.
Downside
I didn’t like that this camera arm was not ideal for large cameras.
The ratchet strap is too loud.
Even worst
The leveling is limited, and it will take you more time and effort to level up and down with the lever.
Last but not least
It’s less versatile than a 3-section arm, as it has a limited angle, so you cannot grab it around the tree. Make sure to hang it at the side you think your prey will appear, or you might miss the chance.
Also, the camera is quite heavy and bulky.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line:
There are many fantastic options for a camera arm. I had so much fun trying out these camera arms and reviewing their features.
However, only one of them is the best camera arm for hunting, which would have to be the Fourth Arrow Stiff Arm Kit.
Editor's choice: