How-To · Scope Cam
How to film hunts through your scope
By James · Updated September 24, 2026 · Editorial policy
Field protocol: every load gets a 10-shot chronograph string (average velocity, extreme spread, energy) before it's trusted on game. Holdovers are confirmed at real distances, then re-confirmed in field conditions. Shots are recorded through the scope cam, and claims on this page link to footage where it exists. Full methodology & editorial policy →
What scope-cam footage looks like: a rabbit through the Zulus 4K.
Two ways to get scope-cam footage
| Digital day/night scope with recording | Camera on a regular scope's eyepiece | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | DNT Zulus 4K (what I run) | Phone or action-cam adapters |
| Image | Recorded directly from the sensor | Filmed through the glass. Alignment matters. |
| Night | Yes, with an external IR illuminator for real darkness | No, unless the scope is night-capable |
| Extras | Laser rangefinder, ballistic tools | None |
| Cost | Higher (Zulus 4K ~$944 at DNT when checked) | Lower if you already own good glass |
| Downside | Weight (24.3 oz), battery, digital lag | Fiddly mounting, easy to bump out of alignment |
What I've learned from two digital scopes
- Before the Zulus I ran a ThermNight day/night scope. For the price, it was hard to beat, and its laser rangefinder matched my separate rangefinder. But the image got pixelated around 80 yards and was really soft past 100.
- The Zulus 4K records in 4K, and its battery outlasts my ThermNight units. Its 30fps mode lags a little on fast targets, and real darkness needs an external IR illuminator. Full review →
Filming yourself: mount it, don't hold it
I tried hunting with a selfie stick and a camera in one hand. It was miserable, and I asked viewers for a better way. The answer is to mount everything: the scope cam on the rifle and a GoPro fixed on your body or a tripod for the wide shot. Your hands belong on the rifle.
Settings and habits that make footage useful
- Record before you settle. Hit record when you start the stalk, not at the shot. You'll miss moments otherwise.
- Say the range and the hold out loud. "Ninety-five yards, holding two mil-dots." Future you will thank you.
- Name the species on camera. Especially for doves, it shows the hunt was legal. Mine are Eurasian collared doves.
- Keep the misses. A miss with the reticle position on video is data. Misses often teach more than hits.
- Wind noise: it's the most common complaint on outdoor audio. A foam or fur windscreen on the body cam helps.
- Carry spare power and storage. A dead battery at golden hour is a lost hunt on camera.
Reviewing footage like a coach
After each hunt, scrub to the frame where the shot breaks. Where was the reticle? Was it moving? Did you flinch? Compare that with where the projectile hit. Often it's range or wind rather than the rifle, and the footage shows which. More on long-range misses →
A full hunt shot through the Zulus 4K on my FX Impact M4.
FAQ
What is a scope cam?
A camera that records the view through your riflescope, either a digital scope with built-in recording (like the DNT Zulus 4K) or a small camera mounted to the eyepiece of a regular scope. It shows exactly where the crosshair was when the shot broke.
What is the best scope cam for airgun hunting?
For recording and night use in one unit, a digital day/night scope with built-in recording, like the DNT Zulus 4K I use. It records at 4K/30fps or 1080p/60fps and has a laser rangefinder. If you already own good glass, an eyepiece-mounted camera is the cheaper route.
Should I record hunting footage at 4K or 1080p?
4K/30fps gives the most detail for settled shots. On the Zulus 4K, 30fps lags a little on fast targets, and DNT's spec sheet lists a 1080p/60fps mode that trades detail for smoother motion.
How do you film yourself while hunting alone?
Mount the camera instead of holding it. I run a scope cam for the shot and a GoPro fixed on me for reactions. A handheld selfie stick while trying to shoot is miserable. I've tried it.
Why film your hunts at all?
Scope-cam footage shows where the reticle really was at the shot, so misses become fixable instead of mysterious. It also proves your claims, which matters if you review gear.
Sources
Keep reading
DNT Zulus 4K Review: Honest Field Verdict
The scope cam on my rifle: 30fps lag, battery life, and why you need an external IR.
Read the review →Best Airgun Review Sites for Small-Game Hunters
Who actually tests, compared, plus an 8-point trust checklist.
Compare the sites →How Far Can You Hunt With an Air Rifle?
What 100+ yard airgun shots really take, with my own hit-and-miss numbers.
See the numbers →