Spotting Trails Via Google Earth

[DaleL]

I have a question for those that scout via GE.

Sometimes I find trails in likely looking elk spots, on benches and saddles etc. Am I looking at elk trails or trails used by sheep/cattle? I normally can associate the hiking and pack trails in a given area by cross referencing different maps.

Will a heavily used game trail show up on GE?

Thanks,

[Charina]

Am I looking at elk trails or trails used by sheep/cattle?

Yes! Not so much sheep from what my experience has been, but I have confirmed trails virtually scouted have been both cattle and elk trails. The majority are cattle trails, but some are strictly elk. Also, don't forget that hiking trails show up really well on newer imaging - cross reference with a topo overlay.

[Charina]

Great Western Trail - also used by cattle here.

Great Western Trail.jpg (90.14 KiB) Viewed 5233 times

[Charina]

Any "elk" trail on flatter land, where there are cattle present, will be beaten down by cattle. The only spots that I've eye'd trails, and conclude they are solely elk trails are very steep, and head into heavy timber where cattle won't go. Most of the good elk trails I know about are not visible on GE - they are under cover of aspens or firs. Once they are out in the open, they don't generally prod along single file as cattle do, commuting between water and feed. Generally when I see elk headed to water, and there is not overhead cover, they spread out off the trail and feed their way there - they don't beat down a trail. That's not always the case, but I hunt where bedding, feed, and water are all in close proximity, so there is no need to make long runs to water.

Here is one of the few elk trails I know that are out in the open.

Elk Trail.jpg (50.46 KiB) Viewed 5232 times

[Charina]

Where cattle are present, almost every trail seen on GE will be a ones beaten into visibility by cows. Only the trails on the steepest areas are ones I suspect *might* be solely used by elk. And if they head into deep cover (firs) where there are no grazing areas, that is another possible indicator. But 98%+ of the trails I see on GE turn out to be heavily used by cattle, as cattle are present where I hunt. That doesn't mean elk don't use them though!

Cattle Trail 1.jpg (60.9 KiB) Viewed 5230 times

Cattle Trails 2.jpg (121.45 KiB) Viewed 5230 times

[DaleL]

Charina, I have found a couple that I am sure are elk trails and they look like the one you confirmed. Normally the ones I suspect are on some of the steeper areas in the few open spots in between timber. I'm heading to a new area in Wyoming and have not had a chance to get out there and scout. Thanks for the replies.

[Swede]

Charina is correct about the trails, but cattle and elk will both use them. Cattle don't like steep ground, but are often pushed there by the cattlemen so they get the maximum forage available. I would not bet too much on elk only using trails on steep ground.

[CurlyTail]

I hope to be able to answer this question better after my scouting efforts this summer. I am scouting some National Forest ground, and hope to see if the areas with abundant game trails also have abundant Elk.

In the area I currently hunt, there are only 3 visible trails on Google earth, and all three are game trails used by Elk. I have killed Elk on two of three of these trails. A lot would depend on the cattle usage in the area that would certainly cloud the water.

[DaleL]

CurlyTail let us know what you find if you don't mind. What you stated about the three trails is encouraging. The trick without boots on the ground is picking out those spots where one would not expect cows etc.

[Charina]

The trick without boots on the ground is picking out those spots where one would not expect cows etc.

I've learned to expect cows anywhere and everywhere that can be seen from satellite images if cattle are on the range.