Satellite maps, stand locations, and early season scouting

[MuZZyMomentZ]

Howdy,

I find as the hunting bug continues to grow larger with each passing year I'm putting more effort and time into preseason scouting. Though I don't have access to the property right now, (I'm still living in California, I hunt Oklahoma) someting that I've found to be an invaluable resource is Google Earth and Bing maps "Bird's Eye View".

I recently spent some time marking every stand location on the property with Google Earth. By being able to see where every stand is in location to one another, I'm starting to get a better idea of the areas that are the most pressured. Also, by carefully reviewing topographical features (Google Earth will tell you elevations) I've been able to spot numerous pinch points as well as forgotten fingers of woods that have never been hunted.

I guess my point is the season has started much earlier for me this year than any other. I feel I have a stronger grasp on the layout of the property, which will allow me to fine tune my infield scouting when I'm able to hit the ground mid next month.

Does anyone else use similar tactics in the early season?

I can't stress enough how much this has helped me to understand the land that I hunt. Best of all it's free, and if gives you something to do in the months leading up to opening day!

Edited August 26, 2010 by MuZZyMomentZ

[Doc]

Howdy,

I find as the hunting bug continues to grow larger with each passing year I'm putting more effort and time into preseason scouting. Though I don't have access to the property right now, (I'm still living in California, I hunt Oklahoma) someting that I've found to be an invaluable resource is Google Earth and Bing maps "Bird's Eye View".

I recently spent some time marking every stand location on the property with Google Earth. By being able to see where every stand is in location to one another, I'm starting to get a better idea of the areas that are the most pressured. Also, by carefully reviewing topographical features (Google Earth will tell you elevations) I've been able to spot numerous pinch points as well as forgotten fingers of woods that have never been hunted.

I guess my point is the season has started much earlier for me this year than any other. I feel I have a stronger grasp on the layout of the property, which will allow me to fine tune my infield scouting when I'm able to hit the ground mid next month.

Does anyone else use similar tactics in the early season?

I can't stress enough how much this has helped me to understand the land that I hunt. Best of all it's free, and if gives you something to do in the months leading up to opening day!

Your activities familiarizing yourself with your hunting land are definitely good things to do. I have had 60+ years of hunting on the same land, and I've got to say that that kind of familiarity with a hunting area is super helpful. I must say that even with the on-the-ground knowledge of the area that I have, I still use satellite maps for that critical "big picture" that often explains what I have been seeing on the ground over all these years. It is also a great tool for discovering new spots that seem to be constantly ignored. Spotting funnels and obvious travel corridors on these maps comes from the fact that they provide that over-all look at view.

What I have found was that pre-season scouting at this time of year in which I am actually trying to pattern deer activities is pretty much useless. Deer are a slave to their food sources and here in western New York and probably other places as well, what they are feeding on at this time of year is nothing like what they will be feeding on when the season rolls around. Even during the season, travel patterns change due to ever-changing food sources. I do find myself carefully wandering around doing a lot of in-season scouting which along with past experience gives me the best current picture of what is happening.

Doc

[hoosierhunter]

I have found Google earth to be a huge asset to my scouting in the last 3 years. You can mark not only your stands, but also neighboring properties as well. When zoomed out just a touch it gives you a great idea of excape routes and like said before where the pressured areas are.

[elkoholic]

Google Earth is very helpful in giving an overall view of the area you are hunting and can be used to zoom in on the best looking spots. In the mountainous terrain in which I hunt it still has limitations which become very apparent when actually putting your feet on the ground. Using a topo map I look for benches and saddles that would indicate bedding/feeding areas and escape routes and then go over them on Google Earth to further hone my knowledge of the area before heading off for a personal inspection. Find a good bedding and feeding spot with a nearby water source and, unless the wolves are in the area, you should find some game. In the more open agricultural areas interspersed with woodlots and/or swamps I would imagine that Google Earth would certainly make it a lot easier to see funnels and pinch spots. It also helps fuel the anticipation, which is a big part of the hunting experience.