google maps/earth scouting

[twd22285]

Google is a great tool to find trails, roads, south facing slopes. Thought I would ask how everyone else uses google maps to see if there are any tools or ideas out there that I might be missing. With today's technology in mapping, is it possible to pick out berry patches from google maps or google earth? I don't know exactly what it would look like. I'm not familiar enough with wild berry patches to know. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance

Tony

[skagitsteel]

My advice would be to look for south facing slopes that have a water source and dense timber nearby. Pick a few places out then hike in and check them out.  You won't know for sure if there are berries unless you hike in and find out.  I have found a couple winners via google maps and some spots that weren't worth going back to.  also look at your topo line a lot of spots are a lot steeper than they look on google maps 

[Smossy]

Google is a great tool to find trails, roads, south facing slopes. Thought I would ask how everyone else uses google maps to see if there are any tools or ideas out there that I might be missing. With today's technology in mapping, is it possible to pick out berry patches from google maps or google earth? I don't know exactly what it would look like. I'm not familiar enough with wild berry patches to know. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance

Tony

Pay the 40$ for the HuntGPS Maps WA Addon for google earth, Its worth every dollar. While scouting you can see who owns what.

[Bean Counter]

Smoss,
Is that all just for WA or does they have it for the other western states as well?

[Smossy]

Smoss,
Is that all just for WA or does they have it for the other western states as well?

Any state they have it available on the SD card, they'll have it available for the addon to google earth, But its state specific. So you'll pay for one state. I think there may be an option that lets you choose multiple states.

[billythekidrock]

My advice would be to look for south facing slopes that have a water source and dense timber nearby. Pick a few places out then hike in and check them out.  You won't know for sure if there are berries unless you hike in and find out.  I have found a couple winners via google maps and some spots that weren't worth going back to.  also look at your topo line a lot of spots are a lot steeper than they look on google maps 

Google Earth is great for scouting from home, but it does have it's limitations. The images are not always updated and it doesn't often show gates or ditched roads. The best thing you can do is hit the woods and note what the area looks like, then go to GE and see what it looks like. Then you will have an idea what similar areas will look like. For example stand of old growth timber look different from younger stands. Same with berry slopes or grassy hillsides.

[Smossy]

My advice would be to look for south facing slopes that have a water source and dense timber nearby. Pick a few places out then hike in and check them out.  You won't know for sure if there are berries unless you hike in and find out.  I have found a couple winners via google maps and some spots that weren't worth going back to.  also look at your topo line a lot of spots are a lot steeper than they look on google maps 

Google Earth is great for scouting from home, but it does have it's limitations. The images are not always updated and it doesn't often show gates or ditched roads. The best thing you can do is hit the woods and note what the area looks like, then go to GE and see what it looks like. Then you will have an idea what similar areas will look like. For example stand of old growth timber look different from younger stands. Same with berry slopes or grassy hillsides.

I do agree, If they updated they're images more frequently. I think it could be close to perfect.
One thing I like is you can easily find reprod and young growth area's for targeting specific animals with the photo history.

[twd22285]

Thanks guys! great input! I will definitely look into the huntgps maps addon.

[justaguy]

I look for saddles between ridges for travel signs and little benches facing south with protected edges for foraging signs. I've found little open pockets that I'd probably never thought to look for. Make sure to note the date of the images (bottom left of screen i think). Wetter washington timber land can change pretty fast.

[Decker]

Google maps has bypassed GE in terms of imagery and detail. I hardly use GE anymore.