Suggestion of What maps to buy????

[invisibleagent2006]

So I'm planning on doing a lot of scouting this year in many different location, yea i know gas is gonna be a killer but i really want to go to a place where i can at least see some elk and not to many human activity. So just out of curiosity, those of you who have done a lot of planning base on maps, which kind of maps should i buy or look at in order for my trip out there to be more productive? I've tried using google map, but it doesn't show state or public land unless theres a trick i don't know but any idea or info would help. Thxs. oh and by the way. I'm planning my scout on the east side.

[JKEEN33]

I've bought about every map you can find. Still fall back on the Washington Road & Recreation Atlas.

[bobcat]

If you want maps that show public lands, get the DNR public land maps AND if you're on National Forest, get the map for the specific Ranger District you are hunting. Do not bother with the maps that cover an entire National Forest. They cover too much area and don't show nearly enough detail.

When you narrow your area down, some USGS topographic maps will be an asset. I don't buy them anymore because I just use my GPS maps, but they sure can come in handy, especially in a new-to-you area.

[Bob33]

I use many different maps, but some of the most valuable are these:

http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/

I can look at the maps on my desktop PC, then download them to a handheld GPS.  They show public/private land.  Very nice.

[kirkl]

Bob, how do you like those maps on the huntinggpsmaps site?  I am going to get a good topo map for my rino 530 and was leaning towards that site. did you get the one that shows the private land owners or no private land owners.

[75johndeere]

That is a great site a bit expensive and a pain to download but very helpfull it even tells you who owns the land

[pianoman9701]

I use Topo USA program from DeLorme. It synchs with my Earthmate gps, so when I scout, I can do tracks or waypoints and then plot them on the map later. It's a good system for me.

[Bob33]

Bob, how do you like those maps on the huntinggpsmaps site?  I am going to get a good topo map for my rino 530 and was leaning towards that site. did you get the one that shows the private land owners or no private land owners.

I love them.  I also have the Garmin topo maps.  The HuntingGPS maps show public/private land boundaries.  They do show the names of landowners in some instances, although I'm not sure how reliable that information is.

[invisibleagent2006]

Thxs for all the replies... yea i'm gonna try some scouting someplace new this year and was planning on back country into the area in early august so thats why i wanted to try and explore all the possible areas that many people have suggest on the website.

[jechicdr]

I get my maps from MyTopo.com.  You can print custom area larger maps with smaller scale than the typical USGS maps (and you can get them waterproof and essentially tear proof).  The maps themselves have the same details as the USGS maps (including those small clearings in large tracts of forest, trails, roads, water sources) and can specifically encompass your area you plan to hunt without including area that you don't (USGS maps might have to buy 2 or more to cover area and only small portion of one or more of those maps may be huntable).  I guestimate the custom maps borders by going to "Go Hunt" on the WDFW (which you can use to plot out all the public land in particular GMU's).  Google earth is also helpful.  After I get my maps back, I go back to "Go Hunt", pick "major public land" and then highlight public and private township squares on MyTopo map, typically a checkerboard at the edges of National Forest and wildlife areas.  Then I look for areas away from roads with few small clearings and some water sources close to potential camp sites (those mainly for me) so I can set up my spike camp.  The small clearings and ponds/creeks with surrounding clearings are great place to look for elk in the mornings and evenings.  I try to get the long/lat coordinates and manually put them in my GPS so I can try to navigate to those areas off the beaten path.

For Rimrock, I have 2 custom maps to cover the entire GMU (except I lost the one with the wilderness in it).  Good thing is, my previous orders are saved, so I can reorder it...$40.  Would be better if I did not lose the maps.  For Taneum and Manastash, I have 3 (a lot of overlap because of the diagonal nature of the GMU's)  For Bumping, I have 2 maps, and for Nile essentially one map.  Won't include the Colockum maps, since it will likely be a while before I hunt those (archery true spike...not even gonna try).

Many of the newer GPS allow you to download your waypoints to Google earth and you can virtually hunt in Google Earth.  I have most of those GMU's marked out (copied from GoHunt) in Google earth.

[yajsab]

Google Earth.  May be all that you need.

[jechicdr]

Attached my Yakima GMU borders from Google Earth that I drew in.

[uplandhunter870]

what i find most beneficial is to do some digital scouting using google earth to get a general idea of an area, then once if i find an area of interest i usually use the washington gazettere to get some idea of road access once i decide and area is worth scouting i will pick up a 7.5 minute USGS topo.

i wish i could afford a nice GPS unit that could use some of the newer mapping software but until then its all paper and magnets for me

[Bob33]

what i find most beneficial is to do some digital scouting using google earth to get a general idea of an area, then once if i find an area of interest i usually use the washington gazettere to get some idea of road access once i decide and area is worth scouting i will pick up a 7.5 minute USGS topo.

i wish i could afford a nice GPS unit that could use some of the newer mapping software but until then its all paper and magnets for me

+1.  Having maps on a GPS has one great advantage: you can see exactly where you are relative to the boundaries and other landmarks.