Mapping out your spot!

[WesHarm]

Hey guys, just curious with the advent of all these mapling tools, sat photos, topo capabilities i have been doing alot of searching online trying to pin point some locations i might enjoy hunting for deer, etc.

Was just curious when people use these mapping searches what features do you loom for? Do you care about elevation? What about desert looking areas? As someone who likes to go farther out, and therefore can mostly "scout from the sky" is there anything in particular i should be looking for? Does Density of tree cover play a large role to where you look to hunt?

Just curious what other guys look for if they use mapping services to scout areas before being able to physically get in there.

Ive currently been looking for sparsely treed areas with multiple drainages so i can try and glass more then i usually do, and assuming drainages hold water and therefore game?

am i on the right track or way off?

Thanks!

[aral]

As a fellow new hunter, I'm not sure how helpful I can be when it comes to this topic. But I'll definitely stick around to hear what other people have to say!

[Wild one]

All depends on the species, time of year I plan on hunting, hunting method, how pressured the area is and the terrain. Without the answers to the factors listed all I can really say is I am searching for food, water, cover, and potential travel routes. Also looking for what will limit hunting pressure natural barriers like water, distance that must be covered on foot, firearm restrictions, or is it so stupid most drive right by

Basicly looking for that magic spot I think the animals are hiding in and hunters are not lol

[Fella]

Hey guys, just curious with the advent of all these mapling tools, sat photos, topo capabilities i have been doing alot of searching online trying to pin point some locations i might enjoy hunting for deer, etc.

Was just curious when people use these mapping searches what features do you loom for? Do you care about elevation? What about desert looking areas? As someone who likes to go farther out, and therefore can mostly "scout from the sky" is there anything in particular i should be looking for? Does Density of tree cover play a large role to where you look to hunt?

Just curious what other guys look for if they use mapping services to scout areas before being able to physically get in there.

Ive currently been looking for sparsely treed areas with multiple drainages so i can try and glass more then i usually do, and assuming drainages hold water and therefore game?

am i on the right track or way off?

Thanks!

What are you going to be hunting?

[WesHarm]

For arguments sake i will say i am hunting white tails in a pressured area and looking for an area that is about a 1-3km hike in without toad access, my dilema is if i find a spot i think looks good "some cover and water" am i gunna hike 3+ km in one way and see no wildlife.... dont get me wrong i like the hike, and the exploration, but if i only get three- four days of solid hunting and i hike in i'd like to know there might be something there ;)

cant seem to find too much regarding what elevation deer hang about at around sept-oct as that is likely when i will be able to get away the most. Currently been looking at elevations around 1000 - 1600 m mark,is this too high for white tails?

[Fella]

For arguments sake i will say i am hunting white tails in a pressured area and looking for an area that is about a 1-3km hike in without toad access, my dilema is if i find a spot i think looks good "some cover and water" am i gunna hike 3+ km in one way and see no wildlife.... dont get me wrong i like the hike, and the exploration, but if i only get three- four days of solid hunting and i hike in i'd like to know there might be something there ;)

cant seem to find too much regarding what elevation deer hang about at around sept-oct as that is likely when i will be able to get away the most. Currently been looking at elevations around 1000 - 1600 m mark,is this too high for white tails?
That's what preseason scouting is for :). You won't know until you go look.

I don't know much about white tails but I've always been told valleys with meadows and cover along the fringes is what to look for, although the more experienced white tail hunters can correct me. The weather will play a factor as well so don't get 100% set on one spot and think "this is where I should go no matter what" cuz if the snow is or isn't flying, they may be somewhere completely different.

[Wild one]

WT avoid the steep stuff but don't ignore the bottom of a large drainage or big platues. Lower elevation for the most part don't ignore large mid elevation platues. It's less about elvatation more about terrain the are built to sprint not jump up and down hill like a mule deer. Often hang around river drainages and lakes.

They like the thick stuff and high pressure areas they don't like coming out in the open to feed in daylight hours. Look for areas where thick and semi open timber meet. They are lazy and take the path of least resistance between feed, water, and bedding areas. Anything that makes travel easy for WT cattle guard fences, old grown in roads, ravines and ridges.

For the most part when I hunt WT I am looking for the stupid places everyone drives by or use water as a boundary. Some of my best WT spots are short walks off main or even paved roads/highways. Access lots of other areas with small boat or chest waders. They hide right under everyone's nose

I hunt them by ambush not hiking and for most places I hunt hiking is bad and binos are not too useful. It's just to thick odds are you will see nothing or the odd flag as they run

[WesHarm]

Awesome post Wild One! This will definitely help in my pursuit! I will try and get some pre-season in as well! And i now have a kayak and always had waders so will look into that water trick of yours!

[WWBC]

Bit or a rookie myself, however. I've mostly looked for transition areas to focus my attention on. Also, little pockets that are slightly inaccessible in otherwise accessible areas.

My limited knowledge of white tails is that their super cagey but tend to follow the same general daily routines. Best bet is to scout in July/August and once you find good sign, build a couple ground blinds so your ready for the fall. What MU are you trying to scout?

[jtred]

I think I'd have to disagree about whitetails avoiding the steep stuff, you won't find them as high as mule deer(they can be found in sheep country) but I've certainly seen and shot more than a few in some pretty rugged stuff. Especially if there is hunting pressure. That said I have found more on gentler(still a work out) slopes here in the Kootenays. They seem to inhabit a wide range of habitat.

[Wild one]

I think I'd have to disagree about whitetails avoiding the steep stuff, you won't find them as high as mule deer(they can be found in sheep country) but I've certainly seen and shot more than a few in some pretty rugged stuff. Especially if there is hunting pressure. That said I have found more on gentler(still a work out) slopes here in the Kootenays. They seem to inhabit a wide range of habitat.

Found them in odd places as well. Rolling ridges I still hunt but in the steeper stuff I often find them in the bottom of large ravines. That said never hunted the kootenays so it could be different than most of the areas I hunted

I did find the odd strange pockets hunting Canmore which I would assume is simular to the kootenays

[WesHarm]

Hmm ground blind building sounds fun.... like being a kid and building a fort!!! Im looking at region 8, trying to pinpoint a spot but thinking MU 8-5 if i can would be my main looker, not sure theres many whitie there though!!!

[Wild one]

There is some WT but it is way better for mule deer. Farther east is better for WT

[WesHarm]

Hmmmm is there enough commonality to attempt to target both species? I always buy both tags anyways on that off chance.... Is there a way to tell via sign the species of deer your looking at?

[WWBC]

For sure there is in region 8, some areas have a good mix of both in one area even some higher elevation areas.

[markathome]

Hey Wes - have you looked at the how to hunt app? Might be a good way to narrow your research. www.howtohunt.com

And, in case you're wondering, I've never met Steve (but I've seen what has to be one of his cams :))

[HarryToolips]

I think I'd have to disagree about whitetails avoiding the steep stuff, you won't find them as high as mule deer(they can be found in sheep country) but I've certainly seen and shot more than a few in some pretty rugged stuff. Especially if there is hunting pressure. That said I have found more on gentler(still a work out) slopes here in the Kootenays. They seem to inhabit a wide range of habitat.
This I agree with, there isn't a type of terrain that I haven't seen the odd whitetail in - they adapt to every kind of habitat, though there are types that are preferred...

[HarryToolips]

All depends on the species, time of year I plan on hunting, hunting method, how pressured the area is and the terrain. Without the answers to the factors listed all I can really say is I am searching for food, water, cover, and potential travel routes. Also looking for what will limit hunting pressure natural barriers like water, distance that must be covered on foot, firearm restrictions, or is it so stupid most drive right by

Basicly looking for that magic spot I think the animals are hiding in and hunters are not lol
Well said, there are many factors to consider..

[HarryToolips]

For arguments sake i will say i am hunting white tails in a pressured area and looking for an area that is about a 1-3km hike in without toad access, my dilema is if i find a spot i think looks good "some cover and water" am i gunna hike 3+ km in one way and see no wildlife.... dont get me wrong i like the hike, and the exploration, but if i only get three- four days of solid hunting and i hike in i'd like to know there might be something there ;)

cant seem to find too much regarding what elevation deer hang about at around sept-oct as that is likely when i will be able to get away the most. Currently been looking at elevations around 1000 - 1600 m mark,is this too high for white tails?
Just cause you don't see them doesn't mean they're not there, pay attention to sign sign sign...fresh sign..

[wideopenthrottle]

mornings, I will sit and wait for them to move up from feeding areas like farm fields or meadows to a bench for does or a plateau/top for bucks as it gets light...they do tend to vacate before light so being too close to the feeding area may result in only seeing/hearing them in the dark..... the does tend to find a nearby hill side and I will position myself where I think they will have to pass by to get there....

After 10-1030 I will slowly (very slowly) creep up to those areas to see if I can surprise one that went there without passing me...this can take another couple of hours it to if you proceed as slowly as I do....

evenings I tend to get up higher to catch them moving back down

[Ourea]

I think understanding are you hunting resident WT or migrant deer being 'flushed' thru as the snow flies is something to be aware of.
Mature old cranky bucks will take the safest, not the easiest route when moving around.

Hunt obvious spots and you will get chances at average WT.
Want a cranker you have to think differently.

[Rupert Retired]

Sep - Oct for whitetail - The best strategy I think is wait in a properly positioned ambush spot. No use still hunting them at this time in my opinion, their senses are so much better than ours they will know where you are way before you know where they are, and will slip away before you ever see them. If you have an opportunity to get to an area pre-season to scout, then you could use trail cams, but this needs a commitment of some days and time. The best time to wait in ambush is early early morning and late late evening. Mid-day could be used for scouting adjoining areas, looking for fresh sign, figuring out better spots to wait in the evening or morning, or taking a nap! Those early mornings and late evenings are very early and late at that time of year, your "night" by the time you get back to camp and eat etc, then get up, get ready and have breakfast, and travel to your spot will be short, believe me!

[Ryo]

I use it all. Google earth, iMap, hunt buddy. Aside from things like fringes, water and food sources, south slopes, etc, the bc data layers are useful - there are layers that will give you the age of cutblocks, and the age of standing timber. These are useful, but it will take you a good while to figure out how to use the bc data. I gave a quick rundown on using the map software here: http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?128530-Topography-maps&highlight=imap There are a lot of features to sift through.

Another thing I do, though it sounds silly at first, is to use the 'flight simulator' feature in google earth. Call me crazy, but this is a game changer for pre-scouting.

[hoochie]

Hmmmm is there enough commonality to attempt to target both species? I always buy both tags anyways on that off chance.... Is there a way to tell via sign the species of deer your looking at?

There are areas that hold both species.
I was always told that Mulies are up high and WT lower. Then came a year in Kamloops area, when i saw Mulies in the day, then WT in the same field in the evening.
Finding tracks, scat etc.. and being able to tell the difference between one and other? I cant do it. I can only tell if a deer is larger/heavier than another.
If I am hunting in the EK, I find that the mulies and WT are not in the same areas. The places I have taken my WT bucks and does, are areas I have not seen a single Mule deer.
I find WT and Elk in the same areas though.
So, I came up with something to remember; If I see grouse, then I will see Mule deer, and I am too high to see WT.
Umm.. ya... then I took a WT buck 300 yards from the spot I shot a grouse

So, the best thing I would suggest is scouting. Honest.
Go where you think you want to hunt, and see what you can see.
Ive had buddies tell me there are a bunch of WT in an area, and all I see is Mulies. Then when I think Im in Mulie country.. I come across WT.

[brian]

I can't speak on whitetails, but when I digital scout for blacktails I start of looking for "interesting things". What I mean by that is are small features in the overall terrain that simply draw my eye. It could be a small ridge, bench, hill, valley, that breaks the terrain. I look for where travel looks easier for the animals. I definitely look for broken and mottled canopy over thick unbroken canopy. I look for edges. I look for open areas that are connected by wooded areas. I try to look at the small details because deer can live their lives in very little space. But the digital scouting is only ever a starting point. You gotta get in there and let the sign guide you.