Google Earth Overlay

[BrentLaBere]

For people doing some pre scouting techniques over maps for public lands, access points ect....ect....What tools do you find work best? Google earth is one of my favorites and I am thinking of adding a hunting gps overlay to it. I am looking at thecompany that I would be able to download this for 40$ and upgrade my old chip for my Garmin hand held. Doing other research I hear a lot of talk about 7 and 1/2 minute maps. (if im referring to that correctly). I have a hard time with this as someone new to a hunting area. I feel these maps can come in hand with knowing a giving area and breaking it down further, but I could be way off on this. What are some of your favorite scouting tools (besides strapping on the boots).

 

[Jimbow65]

Google earth is a very valuable tool for me, I love it. The only minor issue I have had with it is the difference between the mountains and Pennsylvania.
In example, there are very few places in PA that you cant get there from here with a little hiking. But in the mountains sometimes you can't get there from here. Only on the ground experience will teach you this, but once you understand that, it is a long range scouters best friend.

 

[GoatT]

I use it all the time and find myself looking at all my hunting grounds every coup0le of days.  I also am looking for new areas to hit the following year and have used some overlays to help in my scouting efforts by computer.

 

[Bullhunter]

I use it and it works great. It will definitely benefits me when it comes to hunting season. I used a free topo map overlay on my google earth and its awesome.

 

[BrentLaBere]

http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/store/gps-maps/?hgm_map_states=456
This is a link to a gps chip I am considering. It also will allow you to overlay the public land on Google earth. Does anyone have experience with these?
For my home state I have one that is called NDTrax that works great. It even has lake contours for fishing. When going outdoors I don't leave without it.
Also if anyone has a specefic site or place they get their maps from I would like to hear your opinions on that.

 

[MT_mulies]

I go between google maps and Idaho fish and game interactive map. Even when I lived in Montana I used the Idaho maps because they have more clarity and I could zoom in farther. So I would find an area of interest in Montana and then use Idaho's to plan my attack.

 

[c.rash]

I love GE.  I've found that sometimes, bing maps has imagery with better resolution.  Google search for .kml or .kmz files specific to your needs, you never know what's out there.

I hunt in Colorado and I have files for all the wilderness areas, nat'l forests, and BLM lands.  It's great.

Also, check this out:

http://www.intelligenthunter.com/home/map

 

[BrentLaBere]

Well I ended up going with the Hunting GPS maps and I haven't had too much time to play with it yet but so far I love it!

 

[BrentLaBere]

For anyone that has to use google earth more than putting the leather to the ground I recommended this. Easier to find and how to access public lands.

 

[ghost]

It's amazing how much more stuff you can learn from an area using Google Earth. Try this, go to your current hunting area and zoom in. Look around for a while and most likely you will see something you don't realized was there. Whether it is a small meadow, pond or game trail. I have done this after every hunt and it seems as if I always find something I didn't know or didn't see while I was there.