Using AI for E-scouting?

UnckleBob

WKR
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Aug 21, 2022
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As part of my job, I often test our AI provider, Microsoft for usefulness. On a lark, I asked it to provide me with a scouting report on a section of a National Wildlife Refuge I have permission to hunt this Fall.

The report it gave me wasn't perfect, but it was not horrible either. I wish I had the report the first time I hunted the property.

At some point it to far in the future, I could see a company like Onyx pairing it's data to an AI engine to provide very detailed scouting reports.

Thoughts?
 
AI everything. At this point, Its likely inevitable that mapping software will integrate learning models for hunting. I just uploaded a screenshot of an area and asked where to find a bear in late Sept:

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Based on the topographical map and typical bear behavior in late September, here is an analysis of the most likely area to find a bear.

In late September, bears are in a state of hyperphagia, a period of intense, frantic eating to build up fat reserves for winter hibernation. Their location will be almost entirely dictated by the most abundant, high-calorie food sources available. This means you should be looking for a combination of three things: Food, Water, and Cover.

Most Likely Area: The Southwest Waypoint​

The waypoint located in the southwestern basin/drainage (far left of the map) is the most promising location.

Here’s the breakdown of why this spot is superior:

  1. Prime Food Location: This waypoint is situated directly in a significant drainage or basin. These areas are typically wetter and collect nutrients, making them ideal for berry bushes (like chokecherries or serviceberries) which are a critical food source for bears in the fall. The surrounding slopes likely offer a mix of vegetation, potentially including patches of scrub oak (for acorns) on the sunnier, south-facing aspects.
  2. Excellent Water Source: The marker is placed directly on a blue line, indicating a creek or stream. Bears need consistent water, especially when consuming large quantities of dry foods like acorns. This creek provides a reliable water source.
  3. Ideal Combination of Cover and Feeding Zones: The basin itself is a likely feeding area. It is surrounded by steep, timbered slopes. Bears will often bed down during the day in the thick, dark timber on the cooler, north-facing slopes (like those to the north of this waypoint) and then move down into these basins and drainages to feed in the early morning and late evening. This spot is a natural funnel between bedding and feeding zones.

Analysis of the Other Locations:​

  • The Two Northern Waypoints (Top of Map): These are located high up on what appears to be a steep, north or northeast-facing slope. This is classic bedding cover. The area is likely dark, thick timber where a bear would feel secure and stay cool during the day. While a bear is likely living in this area, you are less likely to find one actively feeding here. The best strategy would be to watch the more open feeding areas below this location at dawn and dusk, hoping to catch a bear traveling out of this cover.
  • The Eastern Waypoints (Right Side of Map): These are on very steep terrain. The one closer to the road has the disadvantage of being near potential human pressure (Highway 550). The higher one is in a steep chute. While bears do use chutes for travel and feeding, the single basin on the southwest corner presents a more concentrated and classic combination of resources.

Recommended Strategy:​

Focus your efforts on the southwest basin. Instead of walking directly into it, find a vantage point on an opposing ridge where you can sit and "glass" (scan with binoculars or a spotting scope) the entire area. Pay close attention to the edges of the timber and any open, brushy patches within the basin. Do this during the first and last hours of daylight, as this is when bears will be most active.
 
The future is scary! Do you feel like technology is killing the idea of fair chase and those old proven "honey holes" that people find in public land hunting? E scouting without AI feels like its opened up the country side to lots of hunters and "better" success rates?

I'm still somewhat new to big game hunting, spent most of my life chasing waterfowl. But it seems like alot of competition and I am not a tech savvy guy when it comes to looking at maps and knowing where to go with the vast amount of info that pops up on my onX mapping.
 
I also work with AI for my job. I think it will definitely play a part in E-scouting but at the same time, hunters in general especially waterfowl hunters are hard stuck on their honey holes and keeping them hidden. Me included! Going to new places it may be useful but in my experience AI tends to tell you something you already know just in a different way.
 
I’m just learning this AI thing.
My wife uses it a lot and talks often about it.
How did you ask/what questions did you ask to be the answers you wanted?

AI everything. At this point, Its likely inevitable that mapping software will integrate learning models for hunting. I just uploaded a screenshot of an area and asked where to find a bear in late Sept:
How did you go about uploading the screenshot?

Would love to play with this more
 
As a relatively new hunter without a ton of mentors, I think it’s super helpful to “talk to it” some strategies I’m thinking, help fine tune some locations (though it’s not great at this yet), and also just ask dumb questions that would get sarcastic and unhelpful responses on forums (not that I know any ;)).

It’s not super great for blindly recommending specific spots, but if you know the area you’re hunting and ask it to analyze it, it can often give some helpful feedback. On you, though, to actually recognize if it’s helpful or if it’s telling you to post up on a spot that’s actually a sheer cliff face, middle of a parking lot, or at the bottom of a lake.
 
I personally despise AI. It takes a C level person and immediately advances them to B+ without the true knowledge and experience it takes to get there. Basically a cheat code. This makes people LAZY.

If you believe a rising tide lifts all boats and we are making everyone smarter and therefore more efficient and better; then AI is for you. If you want people to earn their place in society then maybe not.

I could say the same about computers and different methods of teaching over the last 200 years. As we evolved in society these tools have eliminated the laws of natural selection. For instance think about how few people could read in the1800’s as compared to the 1900’s. This level of advancement is inevitable, however, I can see it creates a society with less desire to improve as a whole. Think the movie Idiocracy. Just wait until they add it into a scope rifle combo that automatically fires the round at the target based on how your holding the rifle on target and your breathing. We are already using this tech in some of our weapon targeting systems in the military.

Thanos might have had it correct.
 
AI is nothing compared to the drone tech that is coming. Getting quiter, with better cams all the time. Before long every hunter will be walking around the mountains with a helmet on following there drones video feed going right into their helmet visor.
 
I’m just learning this AI thing.
My wife uses it a lot and talks often about it.
How did you ask/what questions did you ask to be the answers you wanted?


How did you go about uploading the screenshot?

Would love to play with this more

Some AI platforms such as Claude, GPT and Llama, allow for uploading pics and performing various tasks through instruction.
 
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