Aerial Photos

[Jonny]

Not sure if anybody has mentioned this before, but if you zoom in on an aerial and see trails, can you assume deer use them? Something similar to this



I am assuming these are deer trails because of where they are coming from and going to. Just wanted to hear input on it. Especially if you have hunted trails like this

[Rich M]

Have you gotten Dan's videos yet? You should.

[Mibowfreak]

Yup you sure can. They usually stick out the best in some type of swamp or march.

[Mibowfreak]

Also, I don't know if you know about changing the dates on the aerial images or not. But it is cool to be able to check those trails throughout the years on google earth. You can see if they have changed or if some have been the same for many years.

[Jonny]

Have you gotten Dan's videos yet? You should.

I have the swamp and hill country videos. The swamps I noticed in his video were more thick and had taller vegetation. I was pretty sure that deer would use these trails but was just curious as to how deer would use this considering they would be basically in a wide open field compared to cattails or taller brush that would cover them better. Is it more of a night thing where I need to get really far back by them, or since it is a pretty low pressure area, would they bounce between the islands during the day. For reference, I have a much larger aerial in my journal but would rather cut down on the numbers who see that.

I also haven't finished swamp bedding. I'm thinking this weekend. Would probably answer all of my questions

[headgear]

Yes for sure deer trails, it doesn't always mean they are active trails but you are often looking at trails that may have been there for hundreds of years so make sure to do your homework. However I will admit to going in blind and setting up on trails just like these.

[Outdoor814]

Yes those are trails just like these in this photo.

I scouted this area last year and found many beds.

[Jonny]

Yes for sure deer trails, it doesn't always mean they are active trails but you are often looking at trails that may have been there for hundreds of years so make sure to do your homework. However I will admit to going in blind and setting up on trails just like these.

I'm looking at it more for a point A to point B type thing. Where are they going and where are they coming from. Since the only food in the area is browse and acorns, I am following trails back from the acorns to where I think they are bedding. Could this change? Sure. But if it counts down where I have to look and scout the better. The piece of public I am hunting is 133,000 acres so cutting down area to scout is kinda important

[hunter_mike]

Ive posted this in other threads before but i figured i would copy it here:

yeah they are deer/coon/coyote trails. From what Ive seen on my trail cams the more major trails are used mostly by does and fawns.

[Jonny]

Ive posted this in other threads before but i figured i would copy it here:

yeah they are deer/coon/coyote trails. From what Ive seen on my trail cams the more major trails are used mostly by does and fawns.

Well does have backstraps.....

[Rich M]

I wasn't trying to be rude. Dan explains about the trails in one of the videos, talks about using different aerial time frames to see stuff, and more.

I'm looking at some FL marshes and keying in on the trails off the aerials. Someone on here told me that they were trails but most of where I was looking would be under water come hunting season, about 3 feet of water.... Down here the end of the rainy season is roughly the end of September and the last tropical storm that blows through - water is traditionally high then and low now - rains typically start around May.

[Jonny]

I wasn't trying to be rude. Dan explains about the trails in one of the videos, talks about using different aerial time frames to see stuff, and more.

Sorry if I made it seem like I took it wrong. Could have worded it better. No hard feelings. I am actually watching swamp bedding tonight. Got a nice drink and some popcorn. Ordered the marsh DVDs as well.

Thanks for the comment Rich. Always like a push in the right direction. Good luck with your Florida scouting. Those are some serious swamps down there

[wmahunter]

I'm looking at some FL marshes and keying in on the trails off the aerials. Someone on here told me that they were trails but most of where I was looking would be under water come hunting season, about 3 feet of water.... Down here the end of the rainy season is roughly the end of September and the last tropical storm that blows through - water is traditionally high then and low now - rains typically start around May.[/quote]

Same here. Most of the aerials we have for florida are a couple of years old. The rains we've had past couple of years, flooded the areas and the vegetation growth took off hiding the trails.; Here is the schedule when they will be taking new pictures for florida counties.

http://floridarevenue.com/dor/property/ ... t_plan.pdf