Aerial Map Scouting?

[kennedyh1990]

I use aerial maps and topo maps very religiously when hunting big timber in the east, looking for open ridge tips and saddles. When using google earth to plan for a trip out West, how do you know what a good area looks like? For example, when looking at the Black Hills from Google Earth it all looks like interspersed pines and open areas. What land features (outside of creeks) does one key in on?


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[Alex T.]

Timber other than the thick cedar trees areas we hunt to get an idea on where the roost may be. Open areas in the cedar trees that may be strut zones. Travel routes.

[GobbleNut]

Roosting habitat and availability of water are key elements.  Areas adjacent to agriculture are prime targets, as well.  Although Google Earth type satellite imagery is good, mapping services that provide land status layers are important for knowing how to access public land in areas of mixed land status.  A step above that is having a service that will show you parcel ownership so you can seek out permission from landowners on properties that hold birds.

[Greg Massey]

Roosting habitat and availability of water are key elements.  Areas adjacent to agriculture are prime targets, as well.  Although Google Earth type satellite imagery is good, mapping services that provide land status layers are important for knowing how to access public land in areas of mixed land status.  A step above that is having a service that will show you parcel ownership so you can seek out permission from landowners on properties that hold birds.

X2 ... this right here ...  your first year going is more of a learning experience.