ProVegetation Layers
Vegetation layers classify and visualise the type and density of plant cover across the landscape using satellite multispectral imagery. For a hunter, this answers two critical questions about any piece of terrain: where is the food, and where is the cover?
Vegetation Cover is included in the free tier — every ProHunt user can enable it.
Vegetation Layer Types
Canopy Density (NDVI)
The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) layer shows vegetation density as a colour gradient from brown (bare/sparse) through yellow to deep green (dense canopy). Use this to:
- Identify dense softwood thickets used for bedding (dark green patches in otherwise open terrain)
- Spot agricultural fields (low NDVI) adjacent to forest edge (high NDVI) — classic deer habitat transition zones
- Find clear-cut regeneration areas (moderate NDVI, young dense growth) — prime early-season deer browse
Vegetation Type Classification
The vegetation type layer classifies land cover into categories:
| Class | Hunting Significance |
|---|---|
| Deciduous forest | Potential mast crop (acorn, beech, cherry); check satellite for canopy openings indicating mature mast trees |
| Coniferous forest | Dense thermal cover; bedding in extreme cold; less food value except pine tips for moose |
| Mixed forest | Highest diversity; transition edges are prime deer habitat |
| Agricultural / cropland | Major food source; identify crop type and harvest timing to predict deer use |
| Shrubland / young regeneration | Dense browse; excellent early-season and rut-season cover; favoured by turkey and grouse |
| Wetland / marsh | Waterfowl habitat; thermal regulation for deer in summer heat |
| Open / grassland | Turkey strutting areas; limited deer daytime use; good for evening field edges |
Clear-Cut Overlay
The clear-cut detection layer uses satellite change analysis to identify recently harvested timber areas. Clear-cuts become the richest deer food source within 2-4 years of cutting as regeneration plants grow dense with forbs and browse. Use this layer to:
- Find 2-5 year old clear-cuts for maximum browse value
- Identify fresh cuts (under 2 years) that will become productive in coming seasons
- Locate the edge between a productive clear-cut and adjacent mature forest (a high-value stand location)
Using Vegetation Data for Scouting
The most productive scouting workflow combines multiple layers:
Start with the vegetation type layer
Identify patches of deciduous forest near agricultural fields or open areas. These forest-field transitions are the primary feeding zones for white-tailed deer across most of their range.
Switch to NDVI density
Within the deciduous forest, look for dense patches (dark green NDVI) surrounded by more open canopy. These dense areas are bedding candidates.
Cross-reference with satellite imagery
Toggle to satellite to visually verify the habitat. What appears as a high-NDVI patch may be a mast-producing oak stand or a brushy thicket — the satellite image lets you distinguish them.
Add LiDAR
Layer LiDAR over the vegetation view to see if terrain features (benches, saddles) align with the habitat transitions you found. The overlap point — a terrain feature where habitat changes — is your stand candidate.
Seasonal Vegetation Change
The vegetation layer in ProHunt reflects the most recent satellite pass over your area. Depending on your region, imagery may be from spring (green-up), summer, or post-harvest autumn. Use the image date indicator to understand what season the data represents:
- Spring imagery — useful for identifying early food sources and winter damage areas
- Summer imagery — shows maximum canopy density; best for identifying food plot growth
- Autumn imagery — crop harvest patterns visible; leaf-off in deciduous areas shows underlying terrain
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can the vegetation layer show oak trees specifically?
- The vegetation type layer classifies deciduous forest broadly. Individual tree species are not identified from satellite at standard resolutions. To identify likely oak stands, look for deciduous forest on south or west-facing slopes with well-drained upland soils — the typical habitat for producing oaks in North America and Europe. Combine with satellite imagery to look for the round crown shapes characteristic of mature oaks.
- How current is the vegetation data?
- The vegetation type classification is updated annually. The NDVI density layer updates monthly where cloud-free satellite passes are available. The imagery date is shown for each area in the layer info panel.
Related Features
- LiDAR — combine terrain shape with vegetation data
- Terrain Layers — all available layers
- AI Heatmaps — Pro probability overlay for game activity
- Guide: Choosing Map Layers