Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Backcountry Hunting => Topic started by: xsf1 on July 05, 2012, 09:19:05 PM

Title: Maps...
Post by: xsf1 on July 05, 2012, 09:19:05 PM: So I have been using green trails and forest service maps and was wondering what maps everyone else is using. Thinking about switching brands this year.

Yes I have a gps
Yes I know I should stick to what I am comfortable with, it's hard to find the two I like to use
I am looking for the most detailed and everyone's favorite
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: krapmit on July 05, 2012, 09:23:25 PM: I'm also curious what maps folks think are the most detailed and best for hunting certain units. i.e. Nile, manastash, umptanum
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: bloodhound on July 05, 2012, 09:28:36 PM: www.wilderness.net (http://www.wilderness.net) /print= free green trails maps :tup:
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: uplandhunter870 on July 05, 2012, 09:35:58 PM: for ready made maps i use the USGS 7.5 minute topo quads. just like anything else i think if you list what you are looking for in a map you will get a better idea of what will work for you, there are all kinds of maps out there.

i personally, most of the time, build my own maps using a GIS program
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: Shawn Ryan on July 05, 2012, 09:40:13 PM: mytopo.com. Gives you USGS 7.5-like maps for exactly the area you want. Get the water proof paper; it works well. For other paper maps, I use Map Seal. Do the front side first, then the back. Hang dry in between coats.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: Bob33 on July 05, 2012, 09:54:37 PM: What are you looking for with maps? USGS topo maps have been a gold standard for many years but can be sorely outdated with respect to roads and trails.

I no longer use paper maps; all my map products go on a Garmin GPS. That allows me to see exactly where I am relative to geographic features, roads, GMU boundaries, etc.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: jechicdr on July 05, 2012, 09:58:17 PM: :yeah:
Quote from: Shawn Ryan on July 05, 2012, 09:40:13 PM
mytopo.com. Gives you USGS 7.5-like maps for exactly the area you want. Get the water proof paper; it works well. For other paper maps, I use Map Seal. Do the front side first, then the back. Hang dry in between coats.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: krapmit on July 05, 2012, 10:00:05 PM: can u get a map with just 2 specific bordering gmu's in it?
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: krapmit on July 05, 2012, 10:02:05 PM: are the maps on these website alot better than maps you can buy from DNR?
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: jechicdr on July 05, 2012, 10:04:48 PM: mytopo.com lets you customize. Most of time even with big maps and small scale, can't get every bit of the GMU in it, but you can get more area than you can hunt. Maps are waterproof and tear proof. Will last many seasons. I usually lose a map before I break it. Mytopo.com keeps track, so real easy to reorder if you lose one.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: krapmit on July 05, 2012, 10:09:11 PM: :tup: THANK YOU
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: xsf1 on July 05, 2012, 10:44:17 PM: Wow, this took off quick! I am looking for a map with trails and roads as well as a good topo of the area. I will check out mytopo.com to see what they have to offer. Also I would like historical sites of what was happening in the area, kind of like the forest service maps have locations of old mines ect. Just helps me get a reference point to where I want to be and helps me name my hunts.
I am kind of an old school guy, I turn my gps on when I leave the truck, make sure it picks up good signal then just navigate by map. It just feels more reliable to me. and I have the gps just in case I get turned around somehow.
Thanks for the good info
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: ellensburgpo on July 05, 2012, 11:04:19 PM: Quote from: Shawn Ryan on July 05, 2012, 09:40:13 PM
mytopo.com. Gives you USGS 7.5-like maps for exactly the area you want. Get the water proof paper; it works well. For other paper maps, I use Map Seal. Do the front side first, then the back. Hang dry in between coats.

I've gotten a couple maps from them and have been happy. Its nice to be able to customize the map to what you want instead of buying a generic one. Solid product.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: xsf1 on July 06, 2012, 09:28:00 AM: Been playing around with mytopo.com seems really nice
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: et1702 on July 06, 2012, 09:33:29 AM: USDA has USGS maps that are updated w/FS roads and points of interest. Plus they are free to download!

http://fsgeodata.fs.fed.us/rastergateway/states-regions/states_zoom.php?stateID=wa (http://fsgeodata.fs.fed.us/rastergateway/states-regions/states_zoom.php?stateID=wa)

ET
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: Carl on July 06, 2012, 10:45:53 AM: I’m interested in this topic too, so I’ll join in so I can follow the suggestions.

Thanks to all.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: MtnMuley on July 06, 2012, 12:43:55 PM: I always carry the green trails map of the area I'm in along with my loaded up gps. I like having a small paper map to relate to much of the time, instead of always trying to get the full view on a 2-4" screen. The green trails map shows everything I need in a paper map aspect. :twocents:
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: 7mag. on July 06, 2012, 01:05:59 PM: I was recently turned on to National Geographic maps, and am really impressed. They don't make a lot of area's yet, mostly National Parks and the Cascades from Canada to Oregon, but they are waterproof, tear resistant, and high quality maps marking different kinds of trails. Very good maps for those going on a wilderness hunt.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: ellensburgpo on July 06, 2012, 01:27:36 PM: Thxs for throwing that link up et1702. Good way to go for cheap
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: jrebel on July 08, 2012, 08:22:10 PM: Depending on the area you are looking at; some of the best maps money can buy are the forest service maps. Many of the old timers will refer to them as the old "fire maps." go to your local forest service and ask them for their map selection. These maps are huge, very detailed and really cheap...7 or 8 dollars. They have roads, trails, topo, water, county and forest boundaries, etc. I hike with my GPS, but I plan with the big maps. I always have one at camp and one in the rig. :tup:
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: windygorge on July 08, 2012, 08:58:11 PM: Quote from: bloodhound on July 05, 2012, 09:28:36 PM
www.wilderness.net (http://www.wilderness.net) /print= free green trails maps :tup:
:yeah: :tup:
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: windygorge on July 08, 2012, 09:00:21 PM: jrebel, how do you get wilderness.net to print. i can't get the map image to print.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: Charles-270 on July 10, 2012, 06:11:22 PM: I just picked up a map similar to the National Geographic (in material and markings but more overall clarity imo) made by the Alpine Lakes Protection Society (ALPS).

Cost of ALPS map @ REI = 5.93+tax
Cost for a green trail map @ REI = $7+tax
National Geographic @ REI = 11.95+tax
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: bloodhound on July 10, 2012, 08:43:16 PM: Quote from: windygorge on July 08, 2012, 09:00:21 PM
jrebel, how do you get wilderness.net to print. i can't get the map image to print.

i posted that not jrebel. but i just hit control p which is print screen, then select properties on the tab that pops up, select finishing, click the box for preview. that will show you what its gonna print because it will only print part of what you see on your screen since your computer paper isnt big enough to print the whole thing. then you just have to center on what you want and hit print. if you need a video on how to ill make one for you.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: windygorge on July 10, 2012, 09:04:32 PM: got it bloodhound. i found free topo's from the usgs store. they say they are 8 bucks, but it lets you print for free. :dunno: they are just like the green trail maps. they are big. it takes 9 sheets to print one topo quadrant (if thats what you call them) i printed 16 different maps. used lots of ink in the process :yike:, then laminated them for wet weather.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: cvandervort on July 11, 2012, 11:21:38 PM: National geographic has a set on the Cascades. Waterproof, tear resistant, have worked well for me because they list all of the trails as well...the only downside is that they don't have mile markers along the trails. $12 at REI.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: 7mag. on July 13, 2012, 04:05:32 PM: Quote from: cvandervort on July 11, 2012, 11:21:38 PM
National geographic has a set on the Cascades. Waterproof, tear resistant, have worked well for me because they list all of the trails as well...the only downside is that they don't have mile markers along the trails. $12 at REI.

They have mile markers on some of them, just not all of them.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: RG on July 13, 2012, 07:24:43 PM: I use National Geographic TOPO! state series. I have WA and ID. I can overlay the gmu boundaries onto them too if I wish. The gps waypoints I put on the map on my computer can then be sent to my GPS with a USB cable and vise versa the waypoints in my GPS can be sent to the computer. That way when I print my map the waypoints that are printed on it are the same ones that are in my GPS. They are seamless USGS maps I believe. You can measure distances etc. Pretty handy for me. I just bought a brand new Magellan GPS that wasn't compatible so I had to make an adjustment to the version I was using and run it through the Magellan program so check on that if you have a new version of a GPS. Our search and rescue group uses them too and has for years.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: 7mag. on July 13, 2012, 09:42:36 PM: Thanks RG, I'll have to look into that.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: mazama on July 14, 2012, 08:04:57 PM: I like the pargeter maps best ,kind of like google earth with better color,they look almost look like a painting.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: 7mag. on July 15, 2012, 07:30:17 AM: Quote from: Charles-270 on July 10, 2012, 06:11:22 PM
I just picked up a map similar to the National Geographic (in material and markings but more overall clarity imo) made by the Alpine Lakes Protection Society (ALPS).

Cost of ALPS map @ REI = 5.93+tax
Cost for a green trail map @ REI = $7+tax
National Geographic @ REI = 11.95+tax

Just got this map yesterday. I'm impressed. I wish they made them for all the wilderness area's.
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: cvandervort on July 20, 2012, 11:01:23 AM: Quote from: 7mag. on July 15, 2012, 07:30:17 AM
Quote from: Charles-270 on July 10, 2012, 06:11:22 PM
I just picked up a map similar to the National Geographic (in material and markings but more overall clarity imo) made by the Alpine Lakes Protection Society (ALPS).

Cost of ALPS map @ REI = 5.93+tax
Cost for a green trail map @ REI = $7+tax
National Geographic @ REI = 11.95+tax

Just got this map yesterday. I'm impressed. I wish they made them for all the wilderness area's.

Thanks for the info guys...I'll have to check those out!
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: cvandervort on July 20, 2012, 11:03:59 AM: Do you know where to get a hold of one? The website isn't working, and REI says that they're sold out/unavailable....
Title: Re: Maps...
Post by: 7mag. on July 20, 2012, 12:42:11 PM: Quote from: cvandervort on July 20, 2012, 11:03:59 AM
Do you know where to get a hold of one? The website isn't working, and REI says that they're sold out/unavailable....

The Seattle REI was sold out, but the Southcenter store had a bunch of them for $7.00.