ProLiDAR Layer
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is one of the most powerful terrain analysis layers available to hunters. By using laser pulses fired from aircraft, LiDAR produces very high-resolution elevation data — far more detailed than standard topographic maps. Features that are completely invisible on a topo map become clear on LiDAR, and those features are where deer travel.
The LiDAR layer requires a Pro subscription. LiDAR data can be downloaded for offline use via the Offline Maps tool.
What LiDAR Reveals That Topo Maps Miss
A standard topographic map with 5-metre contour intervals cannot show terrain features smaller than that interval. This includes:
- Subtle benches — 1-2 metre flat shelves on a hillside where deer walk to avoid the effort of climbing steep terrain. These are invisible on standard topo but crystal-clear on LiDAR.
- Shallow saddles — low points on ridgelines that concentrate deer crossing from one side to the other. LiDAR shows saddles that would not be apparent from a 10-metre contour map.
- Creek and drainage micro-topography — the subtle elevation change as a stream bank rises from the water's edge. Deer walk these edges; LiDAR makes them visible.
- Old field edges and logging roads — even grown-over, old clearings and roads produce detectable terrain signatures in LiDAR that correspond to deer travel.
- Hidden draws and hollows — small terrain depressions that collect cold air and funnel deer travel overnight are invisible on standard maps but obvious in LiDAR.
Understanding the LiDAR Display
ProHunt displays LiDAR as a hillshade — the elevation data is illuminated from a simulated sun angle to create shadows that reveal terrain shape visually. Lighter areas are higher; shadows indicate lower terrain or depression.
Two LiDAR display modes:
- Standard hillshade — single sun angle (NW illumination). Best for identifying ridges and terrain shape.
- Multi-directional hillshade — averages multiple sun angles for a clearer representation of subtle features. Recommended for stand scouting because subtle benches are more visible.
Finding Deer Terrain with LiDAR
Step 1: Find the Benches
Look for horizontal bands of lighter colour on a slope face — these are benches. Deer use benches to travel across steep hillsides, bedding on them during the day. A bench located between a food source at the bottom and bedding at the top of a ridge is a prime stand location.
Step 2: Identify Saddles
Look for notches in ridgelines — the lowest point between two high points. LiDAR makes saddles obvious as a visual narrowing and shadow pattern on the ridge. Deer cross ridges at saddles whenever possible to conserve energy. A stand set just below the top of a saddle on the downwind side is one of the most classic big-game setups.
Step 3: Follow the Drainages
Zoom in on creek corridors with LiDAR. Look for where two drainages meet (a confluence), where a drainage bends, or where the bank has a short flat section. These natural features create deer highways and are consistent stand locations season after season.
Step 4: Look for Old Infrastructure
In forested areas, look for subtle straight lines or geometric shapes in the LiDAR terrain — these can be old log roads, fence lines, or field edges grown over with timber. Deer use these corridors because the terrain is slightly disturbed (easier walking) and edge habitat was historically created there.
Zoom to your target area and toggle quickly between LiDAR hillshade and satellite imagery. LiDAR shows the terrain shape; satellite shows the current vegetation on that terrain. A LiDAR bench with an oak canopy overhead visible in satellite is an exceptional early-season stand setup — bedding terrain with mast food directly overhead.
LiDAR Coverage
LiDAR coverage in ProHunt is sourced from national aerial survey programmes:
| Country / Region | Coverage | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ~70% of landmass (expanding) | 0.5-1 m typical |
| Sweden | Full national coverage | 0.5 m (Lantmäteriet) |
| Norway | Full national coverage | 0.5-1 m |
| Finland | Full national coverage | 0.5 m |
| Denmark | Full national coverage | 0.4 m |
| Netherlands, Belgium | Full national coverage | 0.5 m |
| England and Wales | Full coverage | 1 m |
| Canada | Partial — major populated areas | 1 m typical |
| Australia | Partial — varies by state | 1 m typical |
Where LiDAR data is unavailable, the layer shows standard hillshade derived from SRTM or similar coarser elevation data.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does LiDAR penetrate tree canopy?
- Yes. LiDAR pulses penetrate tree canopy and record multiple return elevations (canopy top, mid-canopy, and ground). ProHunt displays the bare-earth model (ground returns only), which shows the actual terrain shape without the interference of tree canopy. This is why features like benches are visible under a forest canopy.
- How old is the LiDAR data?
- Most national LiDAR surveys were conducted between 2010 and 2023. The terrain itself does not change significantly over this period — LiDAR data from 2015 shows the same hills and drainages as a 2024 survey would. ProHunt shows the survey date for any area on tap.
- Why does LiDAR look different in different regions?
- Resolution, sun angle, and source scanner characteristics vary between national surveys. Some areas appear very detailed and high-contrast; others show less feature definition. The resolution specification for your selected area is shown in the layer info panel.
Related Features
- Terrain Layers — all available map overlays
- 3D Maps — LiDAR data in three-dimensional view
- Vegetation Layers — combine with LiDAR for habitat analysis
- Guide: Understanding LiDAR — practical scouting walkthrough