new to this stuff!!! do you carry a big tripod for spotter

Neckringer · Jul 21, 2021

i just bought a vortex high country tripod and i was not expecting the size and weight... is this too big for a backpack mule deer hunt?
all the weight seems to be in the head

im from the south so i have spent very little time behind spotting scopes

schoolhousegrizz · Jul 22, 2021

I have two different tripods one is extremely lightweight that I use when I'm backpacking or away from the truck or four wheeler. The other one is much sturdy and much heavier that I use from the road.

schoolhousegrizz · Jul 22, 2021

But you absolutely need a tripod for a spotting scope.

grizzly · Jul 22, 2021

I have a Promaster that I use with the big spotter and a Sirui that I use with 15’s or the little spotter. You'll need a solid tripod and head for a heavy scope.

desperatehills · Jul 22, 2021

Same as mentioned above. You need a big one for glassing near the truck. This can be a cheaper one because weight and materials is not important. The light backpacking tripods are usually shorter sit behind models. They can get expensive. My truck tripod cost $125, my light one cost $700

JPblind · Jul 22, 2021

Neckringer said:
i just bought a vortex high country tripod and i was not expecting the size and weight... is this too big for a backpack mule deer hunt?
all the weight seems to be in the head

im from the south so i have spent very little time behind spotting scopes

I carry a Vortex high country in the pack. Pretty light,but could go lighter. Been doing this for 5yrs now with a razor 11x33 spotter together really light.

fatrooster · Jul 29, 2021

For backpacking you need a short lightweight tripod. Mine is sit down model and weighs between 2 to 3 pounds with head. Vortex, Nikon, Field optics, and many other people make them. If you need help then call Doug at cameralandny.com. fatrooster

Buck300 · Aug 22, 2021

For sit behind on the trail I bought an AOKA off amazon for $80. Weighs 1.1lbs and holds my Leupod Alpine Backcountry spotting scope. So far with the scouting I've been doing it works great. I wouldn't necessarily use it to stand be hind but you could. I was concerned about wieght in my backcountry pack so this is what I've gone with. Very compact as well.

Gator · Aug 22, 2021

A good tripod are worth the trouble of packing in if you want to find the animals. If it is one that wobble one leave it home.

BackcountryRob · Jun 18, 2022

Many options, sirui, vanguard, slik, manfrotto. Depends on how much you want to spend, what height you want the tripod to extend to, how heavy your spotter is, etc. The Sirui VA5 fluid head Combo is a great option for around $300 tripod and head.

jims · Jun 18, 2022

I owned around 5 cheap tripods before I finally got smart and bought one that lasts and works for truck plus backpacking. It’s a bogen travel light. It’s both super light plus can handle heavier spotters. I hunt Wyo Alaska and elsewhere the wind howls. Nothing worse than a cheap tripod and head attachment that isn’t super stable.

Even more important than a tripod is the best head $ can buy! It’s worth every penny for how much I use them.

I also have a quick connect system to go back and forth between tripod and window mount. Also quick to take spotter off head when backpacking

HIcountryman · Jun 18, 2022

I use a Bogpod tripod with a Promaster head. Just over 2 # and about $250 . Upright in frame pack near muzzleloader.

Cheap and happy for me. To get a little lighter you will spend a lot of $. Can't afford it so I cut weight elsewhere: make sure layered clothing system does multiple uses, etc.