Podcast Summary: Live Wild with Remi Warren — Ep. 187 | Advanced E-Scouting: Identifying Travel Routes

Podcast Information:

• Title: Live Wild with Remi Warren
• Host: Remi Warren
• Description: Remi Warren shares his outdoor experiences and hunting knowledge through stories and applicable tips and tactics from countless days in the wild.
• Episode: Ep. 187 | Advanced E-Scouting: Identifying Travel Routes
• Release Date: June 12, 2025

Introduction to Advanced E-Scouting

In Episode 187 of Live Wild with Remi Warren, host Remi Warren delves into the intricacies of advanced electronic scouting (E-Scouting), specifically focusing on identifying travel routes used by game animals. This episode is part of a short series aiming to enhance hunters' ability to interpret animal movement patterns through terrain analysis.

Remi Warren (00:00): "Whether you're just getting started or a lifelong hunter, this podcast will bring you along on the hunt and teach you how to Live Wild."

Understanding Travel Routes and Key Terrain Features

Remi begins by outlining the importance of recognizing how animals utilize the landscape to move between different habitats. He emphasizes identifying specific terrain features that increase the likelihood of animal movement, thereby narrowing down potential hunting zones.

Saddles and Benches

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to explaining two critical terrain features: saddles and benches.

• Saddles are natural passes between two peaks, acting as low points that connect different habitat types. They often appear as hourglass shapes on topographic maps, indicating elevation changes that funnel animal movement.

  Remi Warren (07:45): "Think about it like a horse saddle, where there's the horn and then the back part comes up and you sit in the middle."

• Benches are relatively flat or gently sloping areas, usually at the base of steeper terrain. They function as shelves on the landscape, providing easy passage and often serving as bedding areas for animals like elk and mule deer.

  Remi Warren (13:20): "A bench can kind of often act similar to a saddle, where it creates an easier way of getting through potentially difficult terrain."

Practical Applications of Identifying Travel Routes

Remi shares a real-world example from his own hunting experience to illustrate the application of these concepts:

Case Study: Elk Scouting

During early spring elk scouting, Remi identified a promising area by focusing on how cows utilized familiar habitats. By placing trail cameras at strategic points—specifically on saddles and benches—he observed consistent elk movement through these pinch points.

Remi Warren (04:50): "I set up two cameras on a saddle, and I was getting, essentially every evening and morning, a herd of elk moving through."

This method allowed him to concentrate his hunting efforts in areas with a high probability of encountering elk, significantly increasing his hunting efficiency.

Tools and Techniques for E-Scouting

Remi highlights the importance of using advanced mapping software to identify and analyze terrain features effectively. He prefers using the Onyx mapping application, which offers tools like Terrain X for detailed topographic analysis.

Topographic Map Analysis

He explains how to interpret topographic maps to locate saddles and benches:

• Topographic Lines: Closely spaced contour lines indicate steep terrain, while widely spaced lines suggest gentler slopes.

  Remi Warren (22:15): "The closeness of the lines together show how steep it is. The further spread out, the more mild the terrain."

• 3D Mapping and Lidar: Utilizing 3D views and lidar data can help identify subtle terrain features that might be missed in standard 2D maps.

  Remi Warren (29:30): "With a quick glance, you can identify a ridge or a valley. It makes the mountain look like a mountain to you."

Grading and Evaluating Travel Routes

To determine the most promising travel routes, Remi introduces a grading system based on several indicators:

1. Ease of Walking: Assess whether the terrain is passable for the targeted game. Steep, rocky areas may be less frequented by larger animals like elk.

   Remi Warren (35:00): "If it looks nearly impassable, it's probably not a good spot for large game like elk or deer."

2. Slope Orientation: Understanding prevailing wind patterns and slope aspects (north, south, east, west faces) helps predict animal movement relative to wind direction and sun exposure.

   Remi Warren (38:45): "South-facing slopes gain more sun exposure, making them drier and often preferred for feeding."

3. Vegetation: Identifying feeding and bedding areas based on vegetation types provides insights into animal behavior.

4. Water Sources: Proximity to water is crucial for animal movement, influencing their travel paths between different habitats.

5. Surrounding Pitch: Evaluating the steepness surrounding the travel route ensures that the identified saddle or bench is indeed the most efficient path.

6. Connected Habitat Quality: Ensuring that the travel route connects high-quality habitats increases the likelihood of animal use.

7. Wind Direction: Animals prefer to approach their paths into the wind for safety, affecting their chosen travel routes.

Implementing E-Scouting in the Field

Remi outlines how to translate map analysis into actionable hunting strategies:

1. Identify Pinch Points: Use map grading to find terrain features that concentrate animal movement.

2. Place Trail Cameras: Strategically deploy cameras at these pinch points to monitor animal activity.

3. Analyze Camera Data: Use the consistent movement patterns captured by cameras to plan hunting spots.

4. Hunt from Strategic Locations: Position yourself near high-probability areas based on terrain analysis and camera data to increase chances of a successful hunt.

   Remi Warren (58:10): "By grading the terrain and identifying the best spots, I'm able to start my hunt from a place where I'm highly likely to encounter animals."

Real-World Success Stories

Remi shares personal anecdotes demonstrating the effectiveness of advanced E-Scouting:

Mule Deer Hunting Example

In a mule deer hunting scenario, Remi utilized a saddle to position himself near a high-traffic area. By glassing consistently from this spot, he successfully ambushed a mature buck, attributing his success to the meticulous terrain analysis and strategic placement.

Remi Warren (1:02:30): "I was sitting there glassing, and suddenly a beautiful 170-inch mule deer buck came into view. I had him on lock because I knew this was a high-probability area."

Overcoming Challenges in E-Scouting

Remi acknowledges that mastering E-Scouting requires time and practice. He encourages hunters to familiarize themselves with map reading and terrain analysis gradually, comparing it to learning a specialized skill like surgery or stock trading.

Remi Warren (1:08:15): "Once you understand the concepts, then you can start to learn it for yourself. It becomes second nature."

Integrating Technology and Traditional Skills

While emphasizing the importance of advanced mapping tools, Remi also notes that the principles of E-Scouting can be applied using traditional paper maps. The key is understanding terrain features and animal behavior to make informed hunting decisions.

Remi Warren (1:05:40): "This E-Scouting technique is the same technique that I used on paper maps. You can still do this even if you're old school with your maps."

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Remi concludes the episode by reinforcing the value of combining map analysis with a deep understanding of animal behavior to identify high-probability hunting zones. He underscores that while the learning curve may be steep, the payoff in hunting success is substantial.

Remi Warren (1:15:00): "What you can do is start to understand and identify those areas, pick the better areas, and really start to find places where you're going to run into what you're looking for sooner. And that's the name of the game."

Additional Resources and Recommendations

Remi briefly mentions supportive products and resources, such as Mountain Tough and Yeti, which offer training apps and gear to enhance hunters' physical and mental preparedness.

Remi Warren (00:30): "Mountain Tough helps get you ready for the mountain with their science-based hunter-specific training app. You’ll get in shape and mentally tough to tackle any hunt."

He also recommends Montana Knife Company for high-quality hunting and processing knives, sharing personal experiences with their products to highlight their reliability and effectiveness in the field.

Remi Warren (1:17:45): "Their boning butcher knife is awesome. It's perfect for processing, especially when you’re breaking down meat for the season."

Final Thoughts

Episode 187 of Live Wild with Remi Warren offers an in-depth exploration of advanced E-Scouting techniques centered around identifying and utilizing travel routes such as saddles and benches. Through practical examples, detailed explanations, and actionable strategies, Remi equips hunters with the knowledge to enhance their scouting efforts, ultimately leading to more successful hunts. By integrating technology with traditional hunting skills, Remi demonstrates how modern tools can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of hunting strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Remi Warren (04:50): "I set up two cameras on a saddle, and I was getting, essentially every evening and morning, a herd of elk moving through."

• Remi Warren (07:45): "Think about it like a horse saddle, where there's the horn and then the back part comes up and you sit in the middle."

• Remi Warren (35:00): "If it looks nearly impassable, it's probably not a good spot for large game like elk or deer."

• Remi Warren (58:10): "By grading the terrain and identifying the best spots, I'm able to start my hunt from a place where I'm highly likely to encounter animals."

• Remi Warren (1:15:00): "What you can do is start to understand and identify those areas, pick the better areas, and really start to find places where you're going to run into what you're looking for sooner. And that's the name of the game."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 187, providing valuable insights into advanced E-Scouting techniques for identifying travel routes in hunting. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or new to the field, Remi Warren's expertise offers actionable strategies to elevate your hunting endeavors.