Using Google Earth and State Harvest/Draw Statistics to Help Plan Successful Do It Yourself Hunting Trips

The whole idea behind KMLers' statistics maps is to allow hunters that are looking into new hunting areas to be able to quickly narrow their search to a few areas that have the best potential for meeting their hunting goals. Then be able to easily compare these areas by looking at the most useful statistics right on the map. To accomplish this, the areas are color coded for hunters to be able to quickly and easily determine which areas have the highest trophy potential and the highest hunter success. The areas have been ranked from very high, to high, to medium, to low based on the actual numbers provided by the state fish and game department. Next, these numbers were crunched and attached to the maps in tabular form, which allows for easy comparison of the most useful statistics.

As you may already know, Google Earth is an incredible tool for scouting for big game. Using the satellite imagery in Google Earth allows hunters to find big game bedding areas, feeding areas, and travel & escape routes. If you haven't yet discovered this wonderful tool, we explain how to obtain it for free and how to use it at our Google Scouting Page. KMLers.com takes google earth scouting one step further and adds data layers that allow you to compare hunting areas before stepping foot outdoors. Doing this allows you to narrow down your search for a hunting area that can meet your hunting goals. Once you have picked a couple of areas that will work, you can then apply for the appropriate permits or begin scouting the area on foot.

The statistics maps (statmaps) are classified by state, big game animal, method of hunt, and residency status. Determine what, where, when, & how you want to hunt, then go to our Download Page to find out how to get that specific map. The maps come in the form of a .kml file. This is the file format used by google earth. You can make these files yourself using Google Earth, Virtual Earth, or Google Maps, or you can download files that others have created. Once you have downloaded a kml file to your computer, you can open it in google earth (or Virtual Earth - currently there are some limitations on file size, etc.). We have compiled the MOST USEFUL statistics for each game management unit onto the 3D maps so the units are easy to compare. KMLers maps have the following statistics and information compiled on most of the maps:

Big Game Harvest Statistics

• % success
• # of Hunters
• Avg. Days/Hunter
• # antlered

Big Game Application Statistics (Draw Odds)

• # permits
• # applicants
• odds (%)

Big Game Trophy Potential Statistics (B&C Record Book Animals) made possible by Boone & Crockett Club's Trophy Database Search

• # of B&C record book animals in the past 7 years
• % Mature animals taken
• state rank for # of B&C record book animals
• Bull to Cow Ratio / Buck to Doe Ratio
• Some maps may have % B&C animals as compared to other counties in the state, but we are modifying maps to show # of B&C record book animals in the past 7 years

What you get when you download a map from KMLers

You will receive a kml or kmz (zipped) file that depicts hunting areas (also known as hunting districts, game management units, or similar) that are rated using a cold to hot color scheme based on the hunter success rate and trophy potential of each hunting area. What you are paying for is the service provided to you for compiling the government data in a user-friendly format. The kmz file can be opened in Google Earth (or Virtual Earth - currently there are some limitations on file size, etc.). Each hunting area is also clickable to reveal the area's statistical information in 2 or 3 categories, depending on the availability of the data from state organizations. Here are examples of the easily comparable data.

Harvest Data:

• % success
• # of Hunters
• Avg. Days/Hunter
• # antlered

Trophy Potential:

• # of B&C record book animals in the past 7 years (using B&C Trophy Database Search)
• % Mature animals taken
• state rank for # of B&C record book animals
• Bull to Cow Ratio / Buck to Doe Ratio
• Some maps may have % B&C animals as compared to other counties in the state, but we are modifying maps to show # of B&C record book animals in the past 7 years

Draw Odds:

• # permits
• # applicants
• odds (%)
• minimum preference points needed

Each map also contains detailed information on the following (where applicable):

• how the state's drawing system works
• how to play the preference point or bonus point system & which system is set up in each state
• how the draw works with the bonus or preference points
• the number of preference points needed to draw
• License Costs
• Non-Refundable Costs to apply for tags
• Season Dates

And you can always feel free to contact us for help if you have any questions or comments.
help@kmlers.com