Terrain Analysis
Interactive elevation mapping with topographic contours, access route planning, and terrain difficulty assessment. Scout locations remotely and plan your approach before ever setting foot in the field.
What is Terrain Analysis?
Terrain Analysis is an exclusive Pro feature that provides interactive topographic mapping and elevation analysis for any hunting or fishing location. Using high-resolution elevation data, the tool generates detailed contour maps, identifies terrain features, and helps you plan optimal access routes.
Whether you're scouting a new hunting area, planning a backcountry fishing trip, or simply want to understand the terrain before your visit, this tool provides professional-grade mapping capabilities that were previously only available to guides and outfitters.
Key Features
- Elevation Contour Lines
View detailed topographic contours at multiple zoom levels. Understand ridgelines, valleys, saddles, and terrain features critical for hunting strategy.
- Access Route Planning
Identify potential access points and plan approach routes that minimize elevation gain, avoid difficult terrain, or maximize stealth for hunting.
- Difficulty Assessment
Terrain difficulty ratings help you gauge physical demands and time requirements. Know what you're getting into before committing to a location.
- Elevation Profiles
View cross-sectional elevation profiles along any route or transect. Understand elevation changes and grade percentages for trip planning.
- Terrain Statistics
Get detailed stats including elevation range, average slope, aspect (direction facing), and terrain complexity metrics for your target area.
- Multiple Map Layers
Toggle between satellite imagery, topographic maps, and hybrid views. Combine terrain data with visual context for comprehensive scouting.
Practical Applications
🦌 Deer Hunting Strategy
Use terrain analysis to identify saddles, benches, and funnels where deer naturally travel. Plan stand locations with elevation advantage and wind consideration.
Pro hunters use contour maps to find travel corridors between bedding and feeding areas that concentrate deer movement into predictable patterns.
🎣 Backcountry Fishing Access
Plan approaches to remote streams and lakes by identifying gentle-grade routes, stream crossings, and potential campsites based on terrain features.
Understanding elevation profiles helps you estimate hiking time, pack weight requirements, and physical demands before committing to multi-day trips.
🐻 Safety Planning
Identify escape routes, assess terrain hazards, and plan emergency evacuation paths before entering unfamiliar country.
Know your bailout options. Understanding terrain helps you make informed decisions about risk vs reward, especially in backcountry settings.
📍 Pre-Season Scouting
Scout new areas remotely during off-season. Mark waypoints of interest, identify productive-looking terrain, and create a hit-list for opening day.
Virtual scouting saves time and fuel. Eliminate unproductive areas and focus your in-person scouting on high-probability terrain features.
Reading Contour Maps
Contour lines connect points of equal elevation. Understanding how to read them is key to effective terrain analysis:
- Close Lines = Steep Terrain
Contour lines close together indicate steep slopes. Wide spacing means gentle terrain. Use this to identify difficult vs easy travel routes.
- V-Shapes Point Uphill
When contours form a 'V', the point of the V indicates uphill direction. This helps identify valleys, ridges, and drainage patterns.
- Circular Contours = Peaks or Depressions
Concentric circles indicate hilltops (if increasing elevation) or depressions/potholes (if decreasing). Key features for hunting strategy.
- Saddles = Game Funnels
Where contour lines form an hourglass between two peaks, you've found a saddle - prime deer travel corridors and stand locations.
Pro Tips
- Download or screenshot maps for offline use - cell service is often unavailable in prime hunting/fishing areas.
- Mark waypoints digitally, then transfer coordinates to your GPS unit or hunting app for field navigation.
- Study terrain during off-season when you can focus without time pressure. Build a mental map before opening day.
- Combine terrain analysis with solunar data - hunt saddles and funnels during major periods for maximum effectiveness.
- Look for north-facing slopes (cooler, better bedding) and south-facing slopes (warmer, better feeding) when planning deer hunts.