Land Navigation Tips for Your Elk Hunting Tool Bag

[WapitiTalk1]

Let's hear "one or two" land navigation tips that folks can store away in their elk hunt kits. Elk country is big, steep, thick, cold, hot, wet, dry, windy, slippery, rocky, confusing at times, unforgiving and did I mention big? It's important to navigate from camp to hunting areas and back using good sense and expending the least amount of energy necessary. I'll leave it at that as I know some of our esteemed Elknuts will fill in other factors that affect us while out and about, and, the smart ways to go about hunting safely and effectively without getting lost or worse. Map work, using a compass, GPS, determining distances between points, reading weather, choosing the best routes, avoiding certain areas, navigation after nightfall, etc. are a few of the considerations.

I'll start with one tip. Use contouring whenever possible to move from one point to another. The best route (time and energy expended) between two points is not 'normally' a straight line in the mountains.

Let's hear them folks.

[Indian Summer]

Heck yeah follow those topo contour lines. So many times I said to a client or rookie buddy... ok let's head over there... and when I started walking they said where are you going? Why don't we just drop down here and bust up the other side. My answer is always "do you have any idea just how far down it is before you'll actually be starting up the other side? Twice as far as you think! And guess what's in the bottom? A 10 foot high mess of pixi stick blowdowns so how about this... you go down there and I'll roll around the head of this hole and we'll see who gets there first and uh... I hope you have a headlamp cause you'll be awhile.

All aids and gear aside... I watch the sun. Keep in mind it DOES move. lol But it's not uncommon to get completely turned around and when the sun has been on your right, and should be, and at some point you notice it's on your left.... yeah, you're turned around!

[Swede]

It is worth noting I suppose, that the closer the contour lines are together, the steeper the ground is. If you count the contour lines and do the arithmetic you will see they amount to 40 feet elevation change where it really matters. This can be tricky, but some maps have 20 foot contour intervals. I think they do that just to mess with us. I do not think they use 20 foot intervals in elk country. You would have no room for anything else on the map.

[cnelk]

When going into a new or unfamiliar terrain, every so often I like to turn around and look at the way I came.
That way it will look familiar when I return, even if I dont come the exact trail. The landmarks will guide me.

[>>>---WW---->]

http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/

Know your compass and how to use. Click on the link above and you'll learn how it's done.

I used to have a boss that did a lot of snowmobiling. He got lost good and proper one day. When he came back to work I asked him if he had a compass. He said, "Sure I had one but I didn't know how to use it. I couldn't remember if the red end of the needle that pointed north or if it was the white end".

A compass is probably one of the most important tools you will ever have for navigation. They are so cheap I always carry two. Oh sure, GPS is a great tool and I use mine a lot. But it's still an electronic instrument and things can go wrong. So learn how to use your map and compass. You'll be glad you did.

[Lefty]

Water flows down hill
Know the direction local water flows and or where it meets other drainage's

Know the direction ranges face
Know the geology certain feed grows better in certian uplifts, also water will often follow certain uplifts
Know the local landmarks,
one cloudy night time I saved a lot of out of the way miles knowing that a distant red light was a certain cell tower
Know where the cities are located. City light reflecting in the sky gave me specific directions and save a lot of footsteps in the dark
Always Always know where rock faces are you can save a lot of wear and tear on your boots and get to bed earlier

Know where the nearest safety is,..maybe someones camp, nearest ranch, road, creek etc

A buddy and I had been hunting an island on big water when fog rolled in there was maybe had 50 yards visibility. He recorded on his GPS where I drove the boat and just shook his head, It wasnt a straight line , but close enough, He just couldnt believe I found the launch/shore

[WapitiTalk1]

Scratch game trails like a large bird . I use small game trails a ton for ingress and regress from areas. Use the heel of your boot to dig two or three deep lines across a game trail where game trails intersect and you're marking where you came in from (and ultimately, may have to head back through on the way out), where you drop off the trail to aggress a bugling bull, where you need to head a certain direction from the trail after dark to hit a navigable pass between impassible areas (head NW at ?? degrees to move between a cliff and rockslide), to mark a hard to decipher part of the trail (trail fades through washed out area or blow down for XXX yards), etc.. I do this a lot and it really has saved my bacon when coming out after dark or heading in before daylight.

P.S... Lefty, do you elk hunt out of a boat Just teasing you brother, good tips for any kind of hunting.

[Lefty]

P.S... Lefty, do you elk hunt out of a boat Just teasing you brother, good tips for any kind of hunting.

Not elk,...that was a goose/duck hunt. I do have a buddy that access his elk/deer country that way
but I have been know to shorten mileage or reduce elevation by crossing water with a boat a few places on the Kickatat when I lived in Washington,.. Hmmmm reminds me I need a new prop,.. there is a bit of BLM ground my son in law want me to get him to next fall.

[Toby]

I give the most noticeable landmarks my own name, something that matches the shape, like "crooked peak" for instance. I study Google earth a lot, it really helps in selecting routes into and out of likely elk holding areas.

I use the Idaho Map Planner and print a copy of the satellite image and the Topo of the same area and carry these with me. This is a great tool.

I never give up elevation if I don't have to, even if it means walking greater distance, getting too old for unnecessary climbing.

Ditto on the compass, I have come across a few guys hunting elk that don't have one. I grew up hunting swamps in Wisconsin, a compass is a must.

This is another great thread.

[>>>---WW---->]

Learn the stars and how to navigate by them. The Big Dipper always points to the North Star. The tail of the Seven Sisters always points in the general direction of east reguardless of its position in the sky. And the sword on Orians Belt always points in the general direction of south.

When I was a kid, we did a lot of coon hunting. We were poor and none of us could spare a little cash for a compass. But we all knew how to navigate using the stars to guide us. Well, most of us knew how. But Uncle Ray was the exception. When he got lost, he just hunted his way out. Sometimes he would hunt until the sun came up so he could tell where he was.

[FemoralArchery]

I've never carried a compass or gps or map. I've been lucky enough to hunt areas that I know well.

There are so many good answers above.

When I was young, even 5 years old, my dad would make me lead the way back to the fourwheeler/pickup/camp. We would be walking along, and he'd just stop and say go ahead, you lead the way. If I asked if I was going the right way, he wouldn't say. We would just keep walking until I found the way back.

I feel like I've been blessed with a good sense of direction. But its not foolproof, not by a long shot.

I have also been known to take screen shots of google earth on my phone. Then I can refresh my memory if necessary.

[Indian Summer]

I know a guy who hunts with his sister and they drop bread crumbs on the ground to mark their back trail. You may have heard of them? Hansel and Gretel.

Cnelk made a really good point. Things will look completely different on the way back, even if you're on the right track, if you haven't turned around to look back occasionally as you go.

[BrentLaBere]

Learn the stars and how to navigate by them. The Big Dipper always points to the North Star. The tail of the Seven Sisters always points in the general direction of east reguardless of its position in the sky. And the sword on Orians Belt always points in the general direction of south.

When I was a kid, we did a lot of coon hunting. We were poor and none of us could spare a little cash for a compass. But we all knew how to navigate using the stars to guide us. Well, most of us knew how. But Uncle Ray was the exception. When he got lost, he just hunted his way out. Sometimes he would hunt until the sun came up so he could tell where he was.

I dont have much to add to this thread so I will just add a little to what was said here. Most people know the big dipper in the sky and its the little dipper people get confused with. One thing I have used to describe it is this......The big dipper pours into the little dippers ladle. The top star of the handle is the NORTH star. It should stand out to you. Also remember the handle of the little dipper arcs the opposite way of the big dipper.

[AmericanBwana]

+1 on don't give up elevation.

I usually leave the GPS turned off (after making a way point for the truck), turning it on a during breaks or calling (Dual use, location and clock).

Plus I make an effort to know where I am at, even while dead reckoning. I'm rarely off more than a couple hundred yards.

You should have a pretty good idea of the lay of the land as a result of your map scouting. Plus spend some time figuring out where you are by comparing the actual topography (While walking around), with what the map says.

And don't assume the GPS is always right. I had one 'lock' up a few years ago. It kept telling me the truck was the wrong direction. I knew something wasn't right. A quick reboot fixed it.

AB

[Still Hunter]

I've never trusted gadgets. Especially, electronic gadgets. To be honest, I don't even use maps, except when on the computer, and that's just the last few years.

I go to an area, and use orange tape to make my trail. Then take it down when I come out. The next day in the same area I take a different route, and use tape again. I continue to do this with any new area until I know it well enough to not need the tape.

For this to work, you need a lot of time to scout, have a good sense of direction, and a good memory.

I'd sure hate to depend on a GPS, and then have it fail. I like to keep it simple. as a still hunter I need to know an area well. I can't be messing with a compass and maps. I want to concentrate 100% on the hunt, and not be worrying where I am.

[WapitiTalk1]

Learn the stars and how to navigate by them. The Big Dipper always points to the North Star.

Here's a pic of the Big/Little Dipper and the North Star. Definitely a good reference point if one has to navigate at night with a clear sky

thCAIRKYN8.jpg (4.79 KiB) Viewed 10502 times

[WapitiTalk1]

Carrying a map and more importantly understanding how to read it is paramount for the type of back country elk hunting many of us do. I received my first GPS about 10 years ago (a neighbor gave me a basic Garmin he had). Thought I was the schnizzle with that thing.. woo hoo! On about day 5 of my hunt, eyes a glow with the shiny luminence of my new electronic navigation tool, the the thing crapped out in the WA rain and I was well, way back into a wilderness area well away from any legitimate exit trail. Pulled out my trusty 7.5 USGS map, compass, did a bit of terrain association and made it out just fine. Learned my lesson. I still use a GPS quite a bit for marking things (and some navigation) but use my compass and map a lot. Maps don't crap out.

Knowing how to orient a map with your compass considering the declination diagram pertaining to your area/map, understanding terrain features on a map, knowing how to convert a magnetic (compass) reading (azimuth) to grid (map), and, covert a grid to magnetic are IMO, the basic skills one should possess. Just saying Here's a few links explaining what I've mentioned here.

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/P ... ures.shtml

http://www.4orienteering.com/terrain_association/51/

http://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view ... imuths.doc

[Indian Summer]

Yes things fail. Even pacemakers and airplanes but they still have a use. You could lose things like a GPS or compass too. But with all due respect, Still Hunter you are just dealing with the fact that times are changing. You are too but they are moving faster than you my man. A GPS is a way more valuable tool than flagging tape. I'll tell you one thing... I HATE coming out the way I came in. I never hunt back through the same area either. My plan is always made up of a big loop so I'm always hunting new ground. So to me your flagging tape would be about as good as Hansel & Gretel's bread crumbs. Also.... birds eat bread crumbs.... and I pull down flagging tape so you might not see it there on your way out. There's no problem with being set in your ways. As a matter of fact it's probably best that you stick with what you're comfortable with. But if you ever tried out a GPS or say a camera... I think with a little patience you'd become a fan of them.... like you have your computer and Elknut Forums. Just sayin bud.

There is no question that a GPS is one heck of way to learn new country and to hunt it. I know for a fact that lots of hunters just wouldn't have the kahunas to strike out as far as they do without one. If theirs fails... they can use their buddies right! lol I've used them since about um.... 1985 and have never had one die on me. That's nearly 30 years. I do carry a map and compass though. A topo map has multi uses and will never be replaced or completely outdated..... just like wool.

[Still Hunter]

When you hunt the same unit for half a century. You don't need a map anymore.

I only use the tape during scouting a new area. Never hunting. I can go in one way now, and come out 10 different ways without getting lost.

Nothing is passing me by. I just happen to like doing things my way. It hasn't failed yet.

[Indian Summer]

Like I said... absolutely nothing wrong with that. But we've been inventing new tools since the wheel and the GPS is surely one of the best ever to come down the pike. That said... I still have flagging tape in my pack to make sure I find the quarters on the second trip in, and the wheel hasn't really changed a whole lot either has it?

I'm just messing with you man. Wanna make sure your ticker keeps tickin' brother.

You can get back at me one day though... if you're crawling along in your woolies pulling out a roll of flagging tape and I come blowing past in Sitka Gear with a GPS I my hand just stick your foot out and watch me land on my face. I promise I won't get mad.

[Still Hunter]

No need to trip you. The deadfall will get you first.

[Indian Summer]

ha ha... touché Still Hunter!

And I was all ready to say "Lighten up Francis!"

[Triplebhunters]

Still Hunter. That's an edge you have from your driving days. For years after I quit driving I kept my sense of direction, not so easy for me anymore. I remember the days where I could still hunt flat lands and always knew how to get out. Now I babysit machines and barely see sunlight. So when I hunt areas I pick a road and either another road or landmark such as a mountain to orient me. And I always have my maps gps and compass.