Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: hughjorgan on August 29, 2019, 10:00:49 PM

Title: E-Scouting
Post by: hughjorgan on August 29, 2019, 10:00:49 PM: How many guys on here are using google earth pro and kml files to do e-scouting? I am new to KML files and just listened to a podcast on it and found it to be really useful tool.

What websites are you guys using to get your KML files.

TopRut.com was the one they suggested using on the podcast; it gives you topo layers of contours, fires, public land etc that overlays your google earth.
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: optic2 on August 30, 2019, 01:36:38 AM: You should check out onx maps.
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: 7mmfan on August 30, 2019, 07:33:10 AM: All the time. Hugely beneficial. I have OnxMaps open on a separate screen to check land ownership boundaries for access, but otherwise I pretty much just use Google earth with KML files.
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: The Marquis on August 30, 2019, 08:30:28 AM: Used Google Earth and KML until I got OnX. OnX takes that and does 99% of the groundwork for you. Super easy stuff and worth every penny.
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: 7mmfan on August 30, 2019, 09:46:09 AM: The imagry quality on OnX isn’t near what you can do with Google earth though. Plus the addition of road use maps that show closed and open or seasonal roads clearly, google earth still has an edge as far as I’m concerned. OnX is making great strides though.
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: bracer40 on August 30, 2019, 10:26:13 AM: Quote from: 7mmfan on August 30, 2019, 09:46:09 AM
The imagry quality on OnX isn’t near what you can do with Google earth though. Plus the addition of road use maps that show closed and open or seasonal roads clearly, google earth still has an edge as far as I’m concerned. OnX is making great strides though.

Do you have a source for kml files showing road status?
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: The Marquis on August 30, 2019, 12:36:26 PM: Quote from: bracer40 on August 30, 2019, 10:26:13 AM
Quote from: 7mmfan on August 30, 2019, 09:46:09 AM
The imagry quality on OnX isn’t near what you can do with Google earth though. Plus the addition of road use maps that show closed and open or seasonal roads clearly, google earth still has an edge as far as I’m concerned. OnX is making great strides though.

Do you have a source for kml files showing road status?

Yeah, I'd like to see that too. That's kind of a game changer.
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: 7mmfan on August 30, 2019, 01:03:37 PM: I've browsed through Toprut.com like the OP said. I've also got many from governing agencies like USFS, and BLM. For the area I hunt in Idaho the BLM guys were a tremendous help, and provided a KML file that showed all road/trail systems color coded by seasonal dates as well as user restrictions.
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: kisfish on August 30, 2019, 02:27:12 PM: tag
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: ThurstonCokid on August 30, 2019, 02:28:18 PM: I scroll around onx then copy and paste coordinates into google earth to get a better picture. It has helped me find new spots and good spots more times than i can count

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Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: returnofsid on August 31, 2019, 12:06:01 AM: Quote from: hughjorgan on August 29, 2019, 10:00:49 PM
How many guys on here are using google earth pro and kml files to do e-scouting? I am new to KML files and just listened to a podcast on it and found it to be really useful tool.

What websites are you guys using to get your KML files.

TopRut.com was the one they suggested using on the podcast; it gives you topo layers of contours, fires, public land etc that overlays your google earth.

What podcast was this? I'm very unfamiliar with this process, though I've read about it.
Title: Re: E-Scouting
Post by: hughjorgan on August 31, 2019, 06:47:53 AM: Quote from: returnofsid on August 31, 2019, 12:06:01 AM
Quote from: hughjorgan on August 29, 2019, 10:00:49 PM
How many guys on here are using google earth pro and kml files to do e-scouting? I am new to KML files and just listened to a podcast on it and found it to be really useful tool.

What websites are you guys using to get your KML files.

TopRut.com was the one they suggested using on the podcast; it gives you topo layers of contours, fires, public land etc that overlays your google earth.

What podcast was this? I'm very unfamiliar with this process, though I've read about it.

https://elkshape.com/blogs/podcast/elkshape-podcast-ep-84-escouting-google-earth-pro-klm-files