12 Best Tripods for Hunting in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Last Updated on Jan 03 2024

A good hunting tripod is one that offers versatility. It can be used as a rifle rest, and at the same time, a spotting scope mount. If it can’t offer basics such as stability, it’s not a good investment.

Bearing that in mind, you should also understand that tripods have never been of the same quality. Some are good at doing things that others aren’t. You can try all you want, but you’ll never find a tripod that can do it all.

This article will primarily cover the best hunting tripods in the market complete with in-depth reviews, before moving on to some of the important factors that you should take into consideration while shopping for one. Let’s get started. 

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

12 Best Hunting Tripods

1. BOG Adrenaline Switcheroo Shooting Rests with Lightweight Aluminum Design – Best Overall

People who’ve been in this game for a minute will tell you this brand is one of the first brands to manufacture shooting and hunting tripods in this country. Therefore, you’ll know you’re working with a tripod that’s been manufactured by experts in the field.

The BOG Adrenaline Switcheroo tripod is an incredible option for rifle hunters, but we think it will serve you best if you partner it with a crossbow. We also liked how stable it was even if you collapse a leg and turn it into a bipod.

The BOG tripod can be adjusted from 22 to 62 inches, making it possible to shoot targets while standing, kneeling, or seated. Stability is not a concern because the legs have lever-lock technology. And while we’re on that topic of stability, you’ll love the retractable metal foot spikes as well.

We weren’t surprised to learn that the design has the BOG universal shooting rest. What we didn’t anticipate, was it interfering with the limbs of some crossbows. The high-density foam grip was great at ensuring we didn’t have a grabbing problem in wet conditions.  

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2. Vanguard VS-82 Table Tripod – Best Value

The VS-82 Table Tripod is meant to serve two kinds of people: those who want to get the most out of their buck, and users who only want to work with professional equipment. This Vanguard model will allow you to mount a small-sized or full-sized camera, a spotting scope, and a rifle.

The brand also incorporated into the design the latest in tripod technology that makes them lightweight, reliable, flexible, and stable. We all know these are things that are essential to anyone serious about hunting or tracking. Its compact size, 360-degree swivel, and 2-way panhead are some of the features that make all that possible.

We like how light it is, but that was a pro as well as a con. If you’re hunting in conditions that are too windy, you won’t have the best experience.  

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3. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AGH Aluminum Pod – Premium Choice

The Alta Pro Aluminum Tripod is undoubtedly one of the best tripods in the market. It’s always stable regardless of the terrain, offers additional angle possibilities, and has exceptional flexibility. This is a product that will make taking wide-angle shots feel like a walk in the park, in addition to long-distance or macro-photography. It’s one of the few hunting tripods in the industry that has a multi-angle central column system that gives users the option of moving its central column in different horizontal and vertical positions.

Surprisingly, that’s not the only system that’s in there. You’ll also be getting the “Instant Swivel Stop-n-Lock” system that guarantees stability, while at the same time repositioning and locking the central column.

The aluminum legs can withstand the test of time and are adjustable to three different angles—80, 50, and 20 degrees. Extra features and accessories include vibration and shock control, grip position release system, hexagon-shaped central column, spiked rubber feet, and quarter-twist leg locks.

If you’d like to work with a tripod that tracks well, this is the one for you. We just think it’s not the ideal product for someone who’s never used a tripod before—the configurations can be confusing. Also, it’s relatively pricier.

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4. Bushnell Advanced Titanium Tripod

Bushnell gave us a tripod that comes with a three-way panhead that allows users to attach and move their devices in multiple directions. It has a gearless reversible center column that offers you more height while adding very little weight to ensure the tripod remains stable.

The three-position leg adjustment provides flexibility, and the titanium material used in its construction promises durability. This particular tripod is ideal for spotting scope users, as it’s the ultimate stand-up tripod. The only thing that we didn’t like is how the controls took too much time to adjust.

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5. BOG Death Grip Clamping Tripod

When BOG was engineering this pod, their primary intention was to make something that could rival all the other product models in offering the most stable precision. That’s why most of its features are things that facilitate stability. For example, the 3-position leg angle lock. It’s designed to secure shooting in prone positions, while kneeling or standing. Secondly, there is the integral bubble level that improves level positioning.

The no-slip level lock also enhances stability, but its primary function is to offer a quicker lock and release. Its head has a tension adjustment, and pans at a 360-degree angle. You’ll be glad to hear that the feet are made of steel and are fully retractable.

Additional features include the quick-adjust clamping lever that locks in your firearm, and the non-marring rubber jaw insert. It’s meant to protect your equipment from shocks and vibrations.

Sadly, the BOG Death Grip Clamping pod weighs almost 7.8 pounds!

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6. Gitzo GT2542 Mountaineer Tripod Series 2 4 Section (Black)

The Gitzo GT2542 is the hunting tripod to go for if you’ve always struggled to find one that offers image stability and maximum rigidity. Its refined top spider design comes with carbon tubes that are stiffer and stronger than your run-of-the-mill tripod tube.

You should know the tube diameters in this all-purpose family tripod are optimized, and it has a built-in hook feature that gives users the option of hanging a stabilizing weight. Gitzo has a wide range of products, but what makes the GT2542 easier to use is the leg angle selectors, “Ground Level Set” mechanism, and the redefined G-Lock Ultra system.

You’d think it would weigh more with all these accessories, but it only weighs 59.25 ounces. It’s the best option for hunters hunting in windy conditions, or on uneven terrains. The only downer is that it doesn’t come with a level indicator.

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7. SLIK Pro CF-833 Carbon Fiber Tripod Black (615-922)

The Slik Pro CF-833 Carbon Fiber Tripod offers great value for money. Principally, it’s a solid option for users yearning for easy-to-use lightweight tripods that can hold onto weighty optical devices with different lens combinations. It’s significantly lighter and tougher, courtesy of the aluminum and the 8-layer carbon fiber technology.

The folded storage height is 23.6 inches, but when fully extended, it measures 67.3 inches. The legs have twist locks that loosen or secure the sections, depending on what the user wants.

The reason why its leg’s sections can’t be unlocked at once is that they don’t rotate. Nonetheless, that’s not a big enough reason to not buy this tripod. Just don’t forget unlocking the sections requires twisting the large rubber grips.

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8. VANGUARD Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head ­

The Vanguard Aluminum Tripod has been around for decades—and that’s all the information you need to answer the question of whether or not it’s durable. You’d be hard-pressed to find a product that lasts this long on the market.

Although it was originally designed to cater to the needs of professional photographers, the current upgrade can accommodate spotting scopes, shooting rests, and even binocular brackets. What’s more, it’s among the best lightweight hunting tripods designed for backpackers.

When folded, it will never occupy more space than needed in storage. And since it provides three different leg angles, you’re assured of maximum stability on uneven terrain. The fashion in which the leg locks have been designed makes them easy to clean and reassemble. We fell in love with them even more when we discovered that they are rapid-set twists. That means if we wanted to deploy the tripod faster, the legs wouldn’t get in the way.

The tripod has the freedom it needs to maintain stability in windy or muddy conditions, and a retractable hook to hang a makeshift weight, should you feel the need to.

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9. PRIMOS HUNTING Trigger Stick Gen 3 Series

The key feature here has to be the patented trigger pull system. Famously known as the “Trigger Stick,” this innovative feature has made it possible for users to adjust their tripods using only one hand, without losing the sight image. Movements from the optics’ support to a solid shooting rest are also seamless, through the “Quick Detach Yoke” system.

At only 4 pounds, it’s quite frankly one of the best tripods in the market for hunters looking for the best run-and-gun hunting tripods. It’s pocket-friendly and has a contoured non-slip grip, making it the perfect alternative for those who are cash strapped but would love to work with an all-weather tripod.

The only problem we had with it was the height. It’s not the appropriate height for anyone who’s 6 feet or taller.

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10. Manfrotto 290 Xtra Carbon Fiber

Hunters love this tripod so much, but what many of them don’t know is that this carbon tripod was the first extra-sturdy tripod dedicated to photographers. It personifies lightness and extra-rigidity.

The Manfrotto brand has produced a number of 290-model tripods in their line, but this is the largest. It’s a 3-section tripod designed with carbon composite legs to provide you with a stable product that can support any weighty equipment.

It has leg-locking levers that can be tightened to protect it from wear and tear and a magnesium top casting. The legs can be positioned at four different angles to give users the option of exploring their shooting creativity.

Some think the “Rapid Center Column” is all bells and whistles, but it’s there to add flexibility and extend your min-max height range. The shoulder bag was a nice addition, especially since this tripod is heavier than your average tripod.

• See also: 10 Best Selfie Stick Tripods

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11. SIRUI T04S Series Carbon Fiber Tripod with VA-5 Compact Fluid Video Head

Having a compact design doesn’t mean that the SIRUI T04S Tripod won’t be able to provide a solid support for your optical device while you’re out there hunting. We assure you, it will. Also, its portability makes it easier to handle in any situation.

SIRUI T04S can be folded up to 180 degrees. That means that this 4-section legged pod can be shrunk to a height of 41 centimeters—without the legs, of course. Its feet are all made of rubber, and the adjustable center column has a tiny hook, to facilitate stability.

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12. ZOMEI Heavy Duty Camera Tripod

The ZOMEI Tripod is not exactly the best in the market, but it’s not terrible either. In fact, we believe it’s the best choice for someone looking for a flexible mid-range tripod. And it’s one of the most compact tripods in the industry.

The legs can be folded to a 180-degree angle and it’s very lightweight. It only weighs 3.7 pounds but is strong enough to support a 33-pound weight. Therefore, you can use it with any type of spotting scope or a rifle.

This ZOMEI pod has two mounting options. You can go with the three-legged option, or invert the center post and use it as the fourth leg. But you have to be careful while mounting your device—the twist locks don’t indicate whether the legs are locked or not.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Tripods for Hunting

Weight

Weight is an important factor. There’s the tripod’s weight and the weight that users are capable of carrying comfortably. We can’t say that there’s a standard tripod weight because hunters have different tastes and preferences. You can go with whatever weight you want, as long as you don’t struggle to carry it around in your backpack.

Speaking of the backpack, don’t forget that it will have other pieces of equipment that have to be carried as well. Please don’t convince yourself that you’ll be able to comfortably traverse rough/uneven terrain with a hunting tripod that weighs the same as a concrete block, especially if you’re also carrying spotting scopes and cameras with you!

In the same breath, don’t buy something too light to even hold up the weight of a spotting scope. From our experience, the perfect tripod can hold 20 to 30lbs.

Tripod Head

We thought we should list the tripod head as the second factor, as it’s the most overlooked feature. The head holds your scope, pair of binoculars, telescope, or any other optic device that you’ll be using. If it’s not strong enough to hold the weight of the device or doesn’t have that fluid range of motion, it’s not the head to buy.

Typically, tripod heads are classified into three different groups: the three-way tripod head, the two-way, and the ball head.

Three-Way

As you might have guessed, the three-way tripod head can be moved three ways. You could either move it horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. This means that if you know what you’re doing, you’ll be able to switch from a horizontal frame picture to a vertical one quickly.

Two-Way

We’ve been dabbling in this industry long enough to know this is the most common design out there. It’s also the best choice for hunting looking to use their cameras in their escapades. The only downside is that it only offers two ranges of motion. That is the vertical and the horizontal motion. If you feel like this is a fair compromise, we say go for it.

Ball Head

The ball head tripod has the head attached to something that’s spherical and resembles a ball. Hence the name “ball head.” And thanks to that ball, users have the option of moving their devices in whatever direction, with a single move. With the ball head tripod, you’ll find an additional feature. It will either be a lever lock or a trigger lock. They both serve the same function and allow for quick adjustments.

Durability

The kind of material used to construct the tripod will determine its durability. You wouldn’t want to invest in a product that won’t serve you for a lifetime. Elements such as humidity, precipitation, heat, debris, and several others, can cause your tripod to malfunction, and even if you find a way to shield the equipment from them, you could still inadvertently bump it into something or someone.

Aluminum is an incredible option here. It’s lightweight, strong, and doesn’t throw in the towel when exposed to harsh weather elements. Add an anti-corrosion or rust-resistant finish to it, and you have yourself one indestructible tripod.

Stability

We don’t see why you should buy a tripod if you get something that doesn’t allow you to eliminate human error. And there’s no compromise when it comes to stability. Fully extended or not, it should be stable enough to hold out against any gust of wind. Of course, that’s on the assumption that it’s standing on an even surface.

Height

For an indoor shoot, a shorter tripod is more appropriate. But when you’re out there in the wild, you’ll need something that offers versatility. Something that will make it easier for you to stabilize a rifle, quietly track the movement of your target, and survey the land.

Ideally, when your tripod’s closed, it should measure 25 to 30 inches. But when it’s fully extended, the range should lie between 65 to 72 inches. Anything that falls out of those two range measurements should be considered less than ideal.

Note: If it’s taller than 72 inches, you’ll have a stability problem in your hands. Some people will tell you that that can be resolved by not extending the tripod fully, but what’s the point of having those extra inches, if you’re not going to use them?

Price

Sometimes you can tell how good or how bad a product is just by looking at its price tag. A low tag could be representing a substandard quality, while a high tag indicates premium options. But that’s not always the case. We’ve used tripods that cost an arm and leg and still ended up being useless. So be careful when it comes to the pricing factor. Our advice is to do your due diligence before making any decision.

Conclusion

And with that, we come to the end of today’s article. We’d just like to remind you that our top pick is the Gitzo GT2542 Mountaineer Tripod. It has everything that you’ll need, and then some. The SLIK Pro CF-833 Carbon Fiber Tripod is our second choice because it offers great value for money. And lastly, we have the VANGUARD VEO3GO204AB Aluminum Tripod. It could have taken the number one spot, but that price was a big factor for many.

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Featured Image Credit: Piqsels