Jesse's Hunting > Aerial Photos and Satellite Images

Aerial Photos and Satellite Images

The National High Altitude Photography (NHAP) program was initiated in 1980 and coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to acquire aerial photography of the 48 conterminous United States every 5 years. This interagency program was designed to eliminate duplicate efforts in various Government programs and to maximize the use of Government funds to build a uniform archive for multiple purposes. In 1987, the program name was changed to the National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) in recognition of modifications in the user requirements and flight specifications.

The NAPP photography are acquired at 20,000 feet above mean terrain with a 6 inch focal length lens. The flight lines are quarter quad-centered on the 1:24,000-scale USGS maps. NAPP photographs have an approximate scale of 1:40,000, and are acquired on B/W or CIR film, depending on state or federal requirements.

The NHAP photography were acquired at 40,000 feet above mean terrain and flight lines were centered on the 1:24,000-scale USGS map series. Two different camera systems were used; a 6 inch focal length lens was used to acquire B/W film at an approximate scale of 1:80,000 and an 8.25 inch lens was used to acquire CIR film at an approximate scale of 1:58,000. The NHAP photography was acquired by the USGS from 1980 to 1987. The acquisition of NAPP photography began in 1987 and continues.

To find the aerial map you want, go to this site. This is the USGS National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) Photofinder search site. You ca search by zip code, location name or by clicking on the map of the United States.

You can then order your photos online with a credit card, or call them with your credit card or check. I use the 36" x 36" 'black and white' photos. The cost is $33.00 each. You can get cheaper ones that are smaller. 9" x 9" photo for $10.00 and 18" x 18" photo for $18.00.

Other photo maps available are 'Color' and 'Color-Infrared', (CIR). Color-Infrared, originally referred to as camouflage-detection film because of its warfare applications, differs from conventional color film because its emulsion layers are sensitive to green, red, and near-infrared radiation (0.5 micrometers to 0.9 micrometers). Used with a yellow filter to absorb the blue light, this film provides sharp images and penetrates haze at high altitudes. Color-infrared film also is referred to as false-color film. This film is helpful in showing the different types of trees on the map. Hardwoods, (oak, hickory), are a different color than softwoods, (pine). Color and IR photos give good information, but they require some experience and training to interpret. With color, go by the texture of the image, etc. With IR, the wet places and hardwoods look blue-green, pines generally red, dead trees silvery. Other stuff is in between, sort of. It gets complicated, and this is where a book and some instruction helps. This will help you locate different stands of trees that you are looking for. Each NHAP CIR photo covers an 8 x 8 mile area at 1:58,000 scale

• You need to do some "ground truthing". That means, basically, go out and look at areas on the ground and compare to what you see in the photo. In this way, you learn what the images are showing you in a very practical sense. When you get some experience with "ground truthing" you'll learn to recognize different cover types by the apparent texture differences among areas in the photos. This will be somewhat specific to your area, which goes back to the importance of "ground truthing".

• Use your photos, combined with on-the-ground observations, to make some sketch maps of your area, showing features you are interested in (like stream crossings used by deer, those nice patches of white oaks you want to hunt next season, deer trails, bedding areas, rubs and scrapes, etc., etc.).

If you have more questions about aerial photos like I did, you can go here to find more info.

Terraserver You'll have to look up your state and then the county and see if they have DOQs available for free viewing. Another source for free aerial photos is state universities, they usually have this info online somewhere where you can download the digital quad photos. Finding the webpage is sometimes tough, try a search for aerial photos for your state or use the universities's name.

Unlike a standard aerial photograph, relief displacement in orthophotos has been removed so that ground features are displayed in their true ground position. This allows for the direct measurement of distance, areas, angles, and positions. Also, an orthophoto displays features that may be omitted or generalized on maps.

Uncompressed DOQ files are available on 8-mm tape, compact disc-recordable (CD-R), 3480 cartridge tape, and via semi-anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP). In addition to the standard format, this data is also available in the GeoTIFF format. TIFF is an acronym for Tag(ged) Image File Format. Further information on GeoTIFF software specifications can be found here.

Compressed DOQ files are distributed in a JPEG format on CD-ROM. Each CD-ROM contains DOQ coverage for an individual county or area. In addition to the image files, each CD-ROM includes compression and decompression software for DG/UX and MS-DOS users and C-language makefiles that can be compiled for use on other systems. Each compressed DOQ on a county CD-ROM consists of a binary image file and an associated metadata file. The metadata file includes descriptive information, such as file identification, data sources and dates, data storage, coordinate systems and datums, and image compression.

To see what is available over your area, a status graphic map may be viewed at the following location: USGS Digital Orthophoto Quad Status Page.

There are many other resources to search for aerial photos. One good spot to check is your County Agricultural office. They usually have Xeroxed copies available for around $4.00 in 8 1/2" x 11" size. The date of the photos will vary, but it seems after recent flooding, these offices will have the photos updated to show changes.

Look in your phone book for local photographers who will take a photo for you. Some use an airplane, kite or helium balloon to get the camera in the right location. This is usually more expensive than the USGS, but you can customize the shot where you want it, and it will be the most current photo you can obtain. I've seen prices range from $50.00 to $100.00 for this service.

Iowa aerial photos online - On-line source for geographically-referenced imagery of Iowa.

Scouting With Aerial Photos

Aerial photos are a great way to scout while at home or to learn about a new hunting area. Once you get your aerial photos there are several land features you'll want to look for like natural pinch points or funnels, trail crossings, saddles and bedding areas.

On the right is an aerial photo from an area I bowhunt in Missouri that has the typical cover of oaks, bean fields and corn fields for food and plenty of water nearby.

The doe beds are marked by a red "X". The does like this area to bed because of the brushy ravine behind them prevented any predators from getting too close, the bean field in front of them gives them a good view of any approaching threat along with the wind in their face. Also needed is heavy escape cover which is the timber to the east.

Well used trails connected the narrow timber strips to the bedding and feeding areas.

Here is a river bottomland I rifle hunt in Missouri that has been super productive over many years. When I hunt this area the rut has already begun or it's just before the rut kicks in and bucks are chasing does everywhere.

The area has a great supply of white oaks and plenty of doe bedding areas nearby that make watching a pinch point or narrow timber strip a good bet to see a buck slipping in to scent check the does.

The topo map on the right shows 2 good funnels. The deer are reluctant to drop down the steep muddy sides of the river and don't want to cross the open crop field. If the wind is from the south or southeast, I set up at point #1 to keep my wind off the funnel trails. If the wind is from the north or northwest, I move to point # 2 and let my scent blow into the crop field. These funnels are about 50 yards wide and there are 3 distinct trails the deer use. 1 trail follows the river, 1 follows the edge of the field and the 3rd trail goes right smack down the middle.

Sometimes the bucks will even drive the does right out into the open harvested bean or corn fields. If you look close at the fields, I have penciled in the yardage from my rangefinder to help in remembering how long a shot that will be needed if someone is unfamiliar with the area. I also have drawn in the small creek which was not visible on the photo.

More Aerial Photo Scouting Tips to Come .... Stay Tuned.

If you have any aerial photos of the area you hunt that you would like to share, please e-mail us at . Don't worry, we can delete any names or landmarks with my photo editing software to keep the area anonymous if you want.