Author Topic: Topo maps for handgun hunting? (Read 705 times)

Questor · « **on:** July 10, 2003, 08:50:35 AM »

This is really a generic hunting question: I've seen that Topo maps are available on CD, mostly for use with GPS units. I'm interested in them as topo maps that I can print out or reference during hunts. Have you tried these and are they good for that purpose?

rickyp · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2003, 01:56:42 AM »

pm sent

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2003, 03:54:54 AM »

Questor: Topos are great resources and hunting aids. If you know how to use them you can figure out the distances you see and that will give you an indication if the area(s) you wish to hunt might be suitable for handgun hunting. They should also indicate open or forested areas. Some topographical maps are quite old, and you might see dates of 1970 -80 on them. Others that were developed from satellite imagery are pretty current.

A couple of years ago I used one of the newer topos to prepare for a hunt on one of the northeastern mountains in upstate NY. Fortunately the topo was fairly current, and accurate. We knew we would be using rifles and we knew the foliage (from the topo) would limit our distances. We had one chance to make an early trip to scout things out and found the topo to be pretty accurate. We knew from the topo we would have a steep climb and that the draws were narrow and wooded. We selected spots from the topo we thought might be good to perch our butts on and when we scouted these areas out we were happy with the amount of sign we saw. Opening day was successful and we still credit the topos for being a resource.

Nothing beats actually scouting the area on foot but a topo will help guide you to those areas. Hope this helps. Mikey.

TScottO · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2003, 05:49:34 AM »

Check your pm.

southern utah · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2003, 07:06:03 AM »

Questor, Go here and get maps for free you can print.

http://www.topozone.com/

Tony D · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2003, 08:18:19 AM »

Not only are Topo maps good for finding your way around, they are also an excellent pre-scouting tool - especially in an unfamiliar area. Eders.com has some great articles on how to use the maps to focus your scouting and hunting to better your chances.

For example, I hunted in a WMA in East Central Missouri, just North of Bowling Green. I hunted there 2 years without even having a shot opportunity, even though there were a lot of hunters to keep the deer moving. Prior to the 3rd year, I studied maps I got from www.topozone.com and found a spot where a N-S ridge intersected an E-W ridge forming a saddle, the Eders site said was a common travel corridor. Result, I took a nice 7 pointer with my TC on the first day. I could have held out for a better buck, but you know what they say about a bird in the hand...