Yes I know that this is a traditional archery web site but since we are all living in the 21st century there are modern technological tools that we hunters have at our disposal. Since I am certainly no tech guy,I have all I can do to figure out how to send an e mail I still have the desire to learn more about the technolagy to help me become a better hunter.

I've heard about a thing on the computer called Google Earth. I have it in my computer and the immages it can show are pretty awesome. It even has a tool where you can measure distances between 2 points like a hunting stand site and a house.

Since I've been messing with the Google Earth thing I have yet to find where or even if I can switch the immage of my hunting areas from photos to topo or even better yet have the topo markings shown on the photo immages.

My question to someone who is way more computer smart than I is..... Can topo features be placed on photo immages with Google Earth?

I'll be watching this one...I've wondered the same thing just never had the time to pursue it. Good question Larry!

To my knowledge, no topo on GoogleEarth.

QuoteOriginally posted by PowDuck:
To my knowledge, no topo on GoogleEarth.

Same here...I have messed with it quite a bit and don't think it has that option.

Go to your county's website and locate their map section.  All the counties I have done this with allow topo overlays on the aerial.  Our county allows all the 8"x11" prints you want for free from your home PC.  I got a 24"x36" aerial photo (photo paper) with topo overlays of the 1500 acreas we are hunting this year for the Michigan Longbow Association Hunt/Camp.  It has been very useful for everyone who has come out so far.  The 2'x3' map cost me $15 and after a hummus accident, it is now laminated.  If I wanted to buy a 3'x4' aerial photo, it would have cost $20.  Now those prices are if you go there and pick it up.  If you want to do it from your PC, it is $7.50 shipping and handling.

I haven't found Topo features on Google Earth...oddly enough, Google Maps does have topo under the Terrain Features...go figure!!!

I was thinking that by over laying them I could be able to mark spots that I have hunted and possibly see where I have seen deer. Wanted to use it more like a scouting tool and even quite possibly incorporate my smart phone into it while I'm out in the woods. Maybe even put in GPS numbers IDK.

Like I said I'm no tech guy and am learning things all the time. This was just a though while I was in the woods waiting for some deer to wander into my bow range.

Bob palmer said it, but the topo feature isn't that great on google earth. But I still believe that it is a very valuable tool to use for hunting. It works great for the small patches of woods that I hunt in. It puts some sense as to why the deer move around the housing developments the way they do around here.

go to 3dsolar.com and download the USGS topo maps.Once you do that you open google earth. Then go to your desktop and open the topo maps icon. You will be able to overlay the topo over the google earth. There is a slide bar on google earth that will allow you to lighten and darken the topo map overlay.

Just tried going there and this message poped up. "The Google Earth Community is currently down for maintenance"

Horatio PM sent

I use this:
http://mapper.acme.com/
Upper right corner tabs switch databases from map to photo to topo etc.

yup     acmemapper.com

I like that one.

http://www.gelib.com/usgs-topographic-maps-2.htm
free download