The Future of Hunting: AI, Mapping, and the Digital Outdoor Ecosystem with Matt Habiger

How is technology reshaping the way we hunt and experience the outdoors? Join Nic De Castro on the LandTrust Podcast as he sits down with Matt Habiger, CEO of BaseMap, to explore the intersection of AI, mapping, and the digital outdoor industry. From intelligent mapping layers to open-source innovation, Matt shares his vision for making hunt planning more accessible and efficient. Discover how data science and technology are transforming the outdoor experience for hunters, landowners, and enthusiasts alike. Whether you're a tech-savvy hunter or curious about the future of outdoor recreation, this episode offers insights into the tools and trends driving the industry forward. 

What You Will Learn

• How AI and data science are revolutionizing hunt planning and mapping
• The potential of intelligent mapping layers to enhance outdoor navigation
• Why open-source data could unlock innovation in the hunting industry
• The role of private land hunters in the digital outdoor ecosystem
• Strategies for building a unified customer experience in outdoor recreation

 

Key Topics Discussed

• The evolution of digital mapping: From static layers to AI-driven intelligence
• Challenges of standardizing hunting regulations across 50 states
• Opportunities for connected devices like trail cameras and rangefinders
• The untapped potential of private land hunters in the mapping market
• How daydreams turn into hunting trips with the right technology
• The business of outdoor tech: Consolidation, competition, and customer focus

Show Resources and Links

• BaseMap Website: ⁠basemap.com⁠
• LandTrust Website: ⁠landtrust.com⁠
• LandTrust Landowner Page: ⁠landtrust.com/landowners⁠
• Contact Matt Habiger: matt.habiger@basemap.com (mailto:matt.habiger@basemap.com)
• LandTrust/BaseMap Partnership Announcement: Check BaseMap’s app for LandTrust hunting properties (rolling out soon after June 11, 2025).

 

Notable Quotes

• "There’s tremendous opportunity to make mapping intelligent, to understand what the objective of the user is, and then to just show and highlight the most important things for them as they’re navigating." — Matt Habiger
• "Nine out of ten hunters hunt private land. Mapping companies need to understand that audience, not just the public land hunter." — Nic De Castro
• "The digital outdoor ecosystem is so important for people who don’t have as much time to go outside and need to maximize their experience." — Nic De Castro
• "Open source could be a total landscape shift for the outdoor industry, from regulations to trail data." — Matt Habiger

 

Conclusion

This episode of the LandTrust Podcast dives deep into the future of hunting and outdoor recreation, where technology is breaking down barriers and creating new opportunities. Matt Habiger’s insights as a data scientist turned outdoor tech CEO highlight the exciting potential of AI, intelligent mapping, and open-source innovation. As the digital outdoor ecosystem evolves, tools like BaseMap and LandTrust are empowering hunters to turn daydreams into reality with smarter, more efficient planning. Subscribe to the LandTrust Podcast for more conversations with industry insiders shaping the future of the outdoors.