Google Maps A Boon to Hunters, Anglers, and Other Outdoor EnthusiastsHow many times have you wondered what's on other side of that mountain or what's beyond next river bend?
Sure, topo and road maps provide part of picture, but to get a real sense of a particular area, I find it easier to use a combination of topo and aerial photography maps. For hunters, anglers, 4-wheel, camping, hiking, and other outdoor enthusiasts, Google Maps provides a great perspective on outdoors with its new satellite imagery maps.
On April 5, 2005, Google announced integration of its Keyhole digital mapping service with popular Google Maps service (http://maps.google.com). In addition to a great overhead view, Google Maps allow you to click and drag maps with your mouse, zoom and pan, search for specific locations, get detailed driving direction, and more.
How It Benefits Outdoor Enthusiasts
Google Maps benefits outdoor enthusiasts for a number or reasons. The main benefit is that Google Maps allows you to see what you couldn't see before, at least without spending money on aerial maps, as they provide free access to their satellite imagery.
I live in Springfield, Oregon near McKenzie River and Willamette River. Both rivers are great for fishing trout, steelhead, salmon, and more. With so much river frontage passing less than half a mile by my house, you'd think it easy to find a new spot to fish. The only problem is that area is riddled with housing and farm tracts, with no easy way to access river without traveling a couple of miles near edge of town or several miles outside of town.
Plus, topo and road maps only tell part of story. In regards to fishing, what about current, trees, weeds, rocks, gravel, and other structure? We all know that aerial maps answer a lot of these questions. With Google Maps' satellite imagery, I've already determined several locations that I'll be trying this year. With deer hunting season around corner, I'll also be using these maps to scout out some new hunting locations.
I also recently visited Moab, Utah for 2005 Easter Jeep Safari, and could have benefited greatly from use of such detailed maps while traversing many of offroad trails in area. 4-wheel and offroad enthusiasts, bikers, hikers, and scenery buffs will notice trails, trailsheads, and landmarks such as Lion's Back, Arches National Monument, and other spots of interest.