e-scouting? Just look for game trails?

[Jonny360]

Drew my first tag this year and trying to scout the area first on google earth before I get up there in person to scout. Theres some areas i'm seeing lots of game trails to and from water. Is that as good a sign as any for e scouting? Or should I try to focus more on certain types of terrain? I'll be hunting a17 in california on the edge of the sierras, its dry on the east side so water seems a focal point?

 

[UtahJimmy]

High probability that those are cattle trails if you are seeing lots of them

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[Jonny360]

High probability that those are cattle trails if you are seeing lots of them

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Hrm possible but I kinda doubt it. This is a high area with only two 4x4 trails leading up into it. Not sure how you'd get cattle up and down from there?

 

[WeiserBucks]

How do you think they get cattle anywhere off road? Drive them with horses.

 

[Jonny360]

How do you think they get cattle anywhere off road? Drive them with horses.

Yeah like I said. Possible. But I doubt it. Would be a lot of cow shit on the roads from driving them. And I've never seen it. But I'm totally newbie hunter so I don't know. So I guess don't rely on trails is what you're saying?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Exactly. The trails you're seeing on Google earth are most likely from cattle, but game animals use the same trails at times.

 

[mtnrunner260]

Call the FS or whoever manages the land and ask if there is a cattle or sheep grazing allotment there and when are they allowed on there.

 

[sneaky]

Yeah like I said. Possible. But I doubt it. Would be a lot of cow shit on the roads from driving them. And I've never seen it. But I'm totally newbie hunter so I don't know. So I guess don't rely on trails is what you're saying?

You would be shocked where you'll see cows. From sea level to 13k feet

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[Jonny360]

You would be shocked where you'll see cows. From sea level to 13k feet

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I talked to a friend in the area and he confirmed you guys are right. There is a ranch that drives cattle up there to graze. I haven't seen cow shit on the roads because they go up a canyon with no road. But in other news the friends 17yr old son drew an archery tag for the same zone as me. So we're gonna share some insights as we scout.

 

[idahohikker]

Buy David Long's book and also Robby's if you want two.

 

[Dos Perros]

Do cows drink different water than game animals?

 

[sneaky]

Do cows drink different water than game animals?

Not really. Deer don't wear trails down like cattle do either so if you can see trails from e scouting there's usually a good chance they're either cattle trails, or long established elk trails, particularly on winter ranges. Deer don't have to water as often as cattle or elk and they can get what they need from small seeps or snow banks if need be. Cattle and elk usually hit more consistent water sources.

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[mighteywhitehunter]

You can measure the "game" trails on GE using the ruler feature, just change the units to feet or inches. Usually cattle, elk, and People trails will be similar in size. about 12-18". If the trail is smaller than that it will typically be deer size game animals or smaller. As others have stated they run cattle to very high elevations in the Sierras during the summer.

 

[JRMiller]

I'm secure enough to say that i have been duped by the old cattle trails more than once.
I pretty ignore any trails on g/earth now. Each time investigated %99 of the time they were cows.
Those heavy hooves can definitely beat a path you'll see from space, deer, not so much.
Elk, maybe, but they dont seem to use the same trails more than once as much as deer do.

 

[Fatcamp]

I purposely look for areas without trails.