question for hunting folk about navigation

A

ADHDCanuck

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If there was a smartphone app... and it automatically laid hunting zone borders over a map with your position in GPS... and allowed you to mark points of interest (camp, hides, hunting positions, trails)... maybe even with satellite imagery available like the way google maps lets you switch...

would it be worth paying a few dollars for?

I really prefer my smartphone to paper maps...
 
Most map apps require a cell signal because the maps are downloaded as needed. No cell signal in the wilderness most of the time. I prefer a GPS which is waterproof and works in cold weather.
 
If you go to Google Earth on your desktop, you can put your own borders and points of interest on the map. Save that picture and upload it to you phone. You don't need service to look at pics.

Just remember, relying on electronics in the bush can make for a very bad day, or a very cold night.
 
Just remember, relying on electronics in the bush can make for a very bad day, or a very cold night.
That is why I stick with a map and compass.no service problems or battary life to worry about.
 
I know of no cell phone app that will make a cell phone any more than a small fraction of the usefulness of a real GPS similar to something like a Garmin 60CSx (which I use). I also have an iPhone 4, so I'm familiar with both types of devices.

Get a proper GPS if you want to go hunting. While I agree that you should still carry a map and compass, and know how to use them, the usefulness of GPS to a hunter makes one well worth the money. Cell phones do neat things in the city. A good mapping GPS is invaluable in any sort of "wilderness".
 
rral22 said:
Get a proper GPS if you want to go hunting. While I agree that you should still carry a map and compass, and know how to use them, the usefulness of GPS to a hunter makes one well worth the money. Cell phones do neat things in the city. A good mapping GPS is invaluable in any sort of "wilderness".
Click to expand...

Yep.

If your mapcraft and compasscraft are less than stellar, a GPS is absolutely one of the best things you can purchase. Even if they're top notch, a GPS is absolutely one of the best things you can purchase.

Try this: using a conventional map and compass, try to find your position on a paper map (sightings, topography, etc.).

NOW... mark it with an X/circle/whatever.

Take out the GPS, get an actual grid fix, and put that on the map (same symbol, but put "GPS" next to it). See how close you can get.

Truly, with good reference points around you, you'll start to get pretty darn good with the compass and map if you read up or ask for advice from good orienteers/navigators.

For a so-called "noob," (NO disrespect intended, btw) there is absolutely nothing better than a GPS though. Just be sure to vacuum pack a brand new set of SPARE batteries to take with you every single time you go out... batteries are cheap, getting lost is expensive (and possibly deadly).

-M
 
Wholesale sports carry software for most GPS. Its called back country maps. It has all the roads, range roads, cut lines, oil lease lines. It cost about $150 and is available in chip or disk. You can get Alberta or B.C. I picked one up last summer for hunting and I wasn't disappointed.
 
I think it really depends on where your hunting. I'm in SW Ontario so the bush im hunting is probably a lot smaller than some of the guys up in Sask or Alberta. Also around my area its tough to find a spot where I dont pick up the 4G network. I think an app like that could be useful when it comes to planning your hunt, to check topography, where you plan to set up etc.
 
You can't beat Garmin Rhinos. I own 6 of them and I hand them out to all my hunting partners when we head out. They show eachothers location, and double as 2 way radios.

If you were to pick a couple up I would recommend ordering/buying them from the US, radio you will gain a couple KMs of radio signal.
 
I've got a pair of Rhinos and picked up the Backroad Maps SD card for Ontario. They are only available for ON, AB and BC I believe. The map is great. Has WMU's, popular trails, known snowmobile trails. Really handy.

Trying to stay on topic, if you could create something like that for a smartphone, yes, I think folks would pay a couple bucks. The Backroad Maps are about $150 and have no real world image capabilities.

Shane, the Rhinos from the USA simply come with an extended range? I've been wondering if the Canadian ones are simply disabled digitally or if they are missing an actual part to hobble their range. Is this your first hand experience?

Thanks
 
Ive never hunted in an area that was big enough between roads that I felt I needed a GPS. The area's I do hunt have enough old bush trails that I am familiar enough to start from anywhere and find the spot I want to be with only a compass. If rather when I do get a GPS I would still carry a compass batterys and electronics don't last forever.
 
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