LiDAR: A Cheat Code for Waterfowl Hunters

By Spartan Forge Ambassador Sloane Brown

If you're a flooded timber enthusiast you know that the hunt for "the hole" is arguably more important than the hunt itself...especially if you're racing for a spot on public land. So I wanted to share a key feature that Spartan Forge premium members receive - LiDAR!

The beauty of using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to find flooded timber pockets and oxbows along rivers lies in its unmatched precision and ability to penetrate tree/vegetation canopy to reveal the earth’s surface – think of it as having x-ray vision for hunting grounds. This advanced technology sends out laser pulses to measure distances to the Earth's surface, creating highly detailed three-dimensional maps of the earth's floor and micro undulations, draws, and cuts. For waterfowlers, LiDAR maps are like finding a treasure map where X marks the spot of flooded, tasty acorns for ducks to eat.

Why is this useful, you ask? Well, flooded timber areas and oxbows are hotspots for ducks, offering abundant food sources and shelter, making them prime areas for mallards and wood ducks. By using LiDAR maps, you can easily identify these hidden gems amidst vast, densely populated tree forests, giving you a significant strategic advantage for finding the X. This means you can plan your hunting and scouting expeditions with precision, ensuring that you are targeting areas where ducks are most likely to be concentrated. Remember, as a free American with the privilege to roam our public lands, harnessing the power of LiDAR not only respects the legacy of those who ensured these freedoms but elevates your hunting experience to newfound heights. So go on, use that technology to explore new spots, get a leg up on the competition, and come home with a limit of ducks.