LIDAR Mapping

[Cchez]

Anyone else use LIDAR maps for their virtual scouting? I really like them since sometimes my brain struggles to see terrain with just the regular topo lines on a map. Its a cool way to see a 3D image of the property youre looking at. I've found that sometimes you can even see little humps in swamps and such better than with a topo. I knew that my county website had some LIDAR features, but recently i discovered that theres mapping for the entire state of MN and WI. I'm sure theres sites for other states as well, these are just the 2 states i hunt.

For those of you who don't know what LIDAR is, its basically a laser measured topo map that gives you a 3d like rendering of the lay of the land (don't mean to sound condescending, just trying to put it out for guys who aren't familiar with it).

Here's an example:

[NYBackcountry]

Havent used it for cyber scouting yet. First thing I noticed are those low ditches, theres a lot of detail in that rendering. Could be a real valuable tool.

[rutjunkie]

Go ahead with the wi site that has lidar

[Cchez]

Go ahead with the wi site that has lidar

Here you go, this should bring you directly to it.

https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/view ... 408279da9d

[rutjunkie]

Thanks alot. U can see alot from these maps. Ive even picked out heavy deer trails. I really like it for looking at steep ditches in hill country.

[rutjunkie]

Go ahead with the wi site that has lidar

Here you go, this should bring you directly to it.

https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/view ... 408279da9d

You probably know this, if u hit the little crosshair symbol on left side. It will show your current position on map.

[Cchez]

Go ahead with the wi site that has lidar

Here you go, this should bring you directly to it.

https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/view ... 408279da9d

You probably know this, if u hit the little crosshair symbol on left side. It will show your current position on map.

I did not know that, thanks for the tip. I just found that site yesterday, so i haven't played with it a whole lot yet.

[KLEMZ]

Cchez, thank you for the Wisconsin lidar link! I have used lidar in northern Wisconsin because the county gis site has it. It is remarkable info to use for understanding elevation features. I could not ever find it for the other areas of Wisconsin, but you solved that problem!

Two bits of info that I find extremely useful with the high resolution lidar imaging are the ability to decipher subtle bedding points that do not show on topo maps. And, the ability to see the location of all old logging roads that are not on maps. These are usually mostly grown over, but sections are still open enough for travel and the deer use them alot! Even mature bucks.

[Noreast10pt]

Another thing I learned from someone on here is to use the False Color IR map layer on Caltopo.
I've used it to look for low wet spots in the prairie here in SD.

Example of how much better they show up with the False Color IR than Satellite images.
The spot in the lower right corner hardly shows in the Satellite image.

20200128_184010.jpg

20200128_183955.jpg

[Swedishbowhunter]

Very helpful, thanks for sharing

[mheichelbech]

I was checking this out on a indiana government website they also had a killer satellite map...much better image than normal.