GOOGLE EARTH for finding hunting spots

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

I use Google Earth to look for new hunting spots in my area and out of State trips.. SWEET ! Anyone else use it ???

[arky714]

I use it for my Colorado elk trips...really shows terrain...meadows lakes ...drainages...best thing after sliced bread..dave

[jimmerc]

Yep, I use it all the time! It's even better in 3d earth!

[Arwin]

I usually won't walk into a new area without checking the Google Earth first.    

[NoCams]

Glad you guys have up to date maps for your area for Google. All our maps our circa 1997 or so and are useless after the loggers come thru.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Always.

[ArkyBob]

Great tool, I use it all the time.

BOB

[buckeye_hunter]

I used to use the free version. It helped me find one of the best spots I ever hunted. That is until some other guys found it too! Oh well...the quest is back on!

[Whip]

Fantastic tool out west!  Make sure you figure out how to use the zooming and tilt the horizon tools that bring the 3D aspect to life. The only thing that would be better is if you owned an airplane!

[rollin]

Hear is a useful site if you are interested in using a GPS in conjuction with google earth.  http://www.itouchmap.com/latlong.htmlh

[rollin]

Try this one  http://www.itouchmap.com/
click on Latitude/Longitude icon.

[Brian Krebs]

I love google earth; and use it. But it doesn't show legal accesses and otherwise secret legal ways to get into areas.
 For that I go to the BLM or Forest service and buy maps that show the accesses.
 Here in Idaho I have an anti-hunter that puts up no hunting signs on public land; and tears down any sign that says a trail is open to public access.
 The forest service now has a new road access system. You have to get a map from them; and it is marked with roads open to motorized vehicles; and if its not on the map- it is not open to motorized vehicles---- so if you don't know about that and are hunting forest land : check it out.

[HUNT 24/7]

I love it, along with my GPS they are an amazing tool together.

[Bama Recurve]

Yea i use it all the time. I study where i think the deer travel and the areas of least resistance.  Plus, i like to know my surroundings because i tend to get lost alot at night...

[PowDuck]

I love it. like Brian said, ArkyBob and I found out last year that the national forest boundary shown on GE wasn't totally accurate. We hiked down the road inside the NF to see where the boundary actually was. We were stopped by a gate and fence almost 1/4 mile inside what we thought was the line.

[glass76]

I use Flash Earth, it's the Microsoft version of Google Earth. I can zoom in closer and clearer for my area. It also has latitude and longitude coordinates.

[elkhunter752]

I've had a lot of frustrating luck with GoogleEarth myself.  I use it at times to help out my scouting, and it can be a valuable tool, but I am having a lot of trouble with unethical hunters using it.  My family has several secret spots we have been hunting for 30 years that had about the maximum amount of hunters there to manage the elk herd.  With GoogleEarth, more and more unethical hunters are finding these locations who are too lazy to scout areas out before the week before season.  In the last 5 years, the number of wounded bulls from 50+ yard shots has increased dramatically.  Many of these hunters shoot wheels, but not exclusively.  
I understand technology is helping other hunters find new areas to hunt, but it is frustrating when it gets into the hands of hunters who are not normally good hunters and willing to use technology exclusively to find new hunting spots. As I'm sure you all know, it hurts when you're secret haven is found and wrecked, and when you are hearing about bull after bull that has been wounded due to an unethical decision. I guess all I'm trying to say is technology can be great at times, but it can just plain stink at times too.

[trcytylr]

I use Bing maps. They have a cool birds eye view.

[Canyon]

Spent the morning in a new unit I have an Elk tag in then came home and covered the areas I didn't get to by Google Earth. Found 8 stock tanks and windmills I didn't get to.

Doesn't replace being on the ground or talkin with the locals but is a great tool. A brief conversation with a cowboy put me in an area where I saw 7 of the best Muley bucks just hangin out and some good Elk sign.

[ozy clint]

google earth is my friend!