Maps

[longspeak74]

Greetings guys - new member to this forum! Looking for a good source for topo maps. I have my unit selected and ready to roll for September. Google Earth has been a great help but would like to have an old fashioned paper topo map in my pack as well. Thanks and looking forward to the feedback!

[WapitiTalk1]

Welcome to the forum! There are several sites that sell topo maps including mytopo.com (you can really get a customized print through them). If you are a do it yourself type, you can also follow the instructions below and print out your own 7.5 M maps (either topo or satellite image). Just something to check out if interested.

1. Go to http://store.usgs.gov.

2. Once the page loads, click on the Map Locator and Downloader link in the upper left corner.

3. With the Map Locator page up, you can either click around on the map (rolling your mouse to zoom in/dragging map left, right, up, down) or enter the location of the USGS Quad you want (if you know it). If you scroll in, you'll see the quads start popping up so you can choose the one you want. For example purposes, I’ll use a known quad from here in WA; Sleeping Beauty, WA. After you enter Sleeping Beauty, WA in the Search line, make sure you click "USGS Map Name" from the drop down to the right then, click GO.

4. You’ll see your map pop up in the middle of the screen with an upside down pink teardrop in it. Left click on the teardrop. A selection screen will pop up on your map (you may have to adjust the page down a little by dragging the bar on the side so you can see the selection screen pop up). Go to the top link below the blue download button with the white arrow. You should see 29.89M. Left click on it, then save (select your desktop as destination), and a file name for the map, i.e., SleepingBeautyWA.zip. Yes, it’s a big file and will take some time to download.

5. Once done, open up your “free” USGS top map. You can manipulate it a bit once you get into the map you’ve downloaded and can adjust the print size. There are map option selections on the left side of the window. On the very bottom, you can select images to change your map to a SAT view.

6. To select an adjacent map to the one you chose earlier, simply go back to the internet page, click on the “mark point” button on the right side, move your mouse to the next quad you want, and left click on the map. The upside down teardrop should appear. Just like before, follow the instructions starting with the left click on the teardrop in the new map to save.

7. Lastly, because your saved file is a PDF, you can do a “snapshot” of an area, paste it into MS Paint, and mark it up. If you need some notes on how to do that, let me know.

Edit: Below is a pic of one I did when I originally posted the instructions (the full thread is in the Archived Tips).. with a bit of scotch tape, you have a full sized 7.5 M map! If you have access to a large printer you could probably end up with less "pieces". One could also take the file to somewhere like Kinkos and ask them to print the map out in it's entirety... just some thoughts.

IMG_0471.jpeg (105.36 KiB) Viewed 6062 times

[Swede]

It is good to have you here longspeak. Welcome to W.T. Over the years I have come to prefer the 2 inch per mile maps over the quad maps. I get the same detail, but in a smaller package. One map covers much more area so I am not packing several maps. It just seems that with the quad maps, what I am wanting to look at is on the boundary between two or more quads. I don't like to pack and hold several maps if I don't have to. I would rather go to the one inch per mile than go the other way. If you go with a one inch map, then you better have good eyes or carry a small magnifying glass to read much detail. Anyway that is just my preference. Others prefer the quad maps as they are easier to read where you have coverage. There is no difference in detail because of map scale. They reduce the different base maps to scale. Anyway that is your first decision.

[longspeak74]

Excellent! Thanks for the info guys; very helpful! The unit I plan to hunt is a mix of private/public...mainly public. As long as I concentrate within the Wilderness Area, all should be fine.

[under H2O hunter]

I use Caltopo.com Enjoy and good luck.

[Indian Summer]

I also use CalTopo to view maps online. I buy them from the USGS map store that Rory mentioned. I could save them but I can't print a map the size I can buy. I use the 1:24 scale 7.5 minute series which have 40 foot contour intervals.

[longspeak74]

Thanks for all the helpful info. I am on another elk-related forum and everyone seems very tight-lipped there, so this is a welcome change.

[Indian Summer]

Thanks for all the helpful info. I am on another elk-related forum and everyone seems very tight-lipped there, so this is a welcome change.

Huh. Too bad for them because nobody knows everything and someday they will be on the other end.

This site is a one of a kind. Feel free to be yourself. Ask any and as many questions as you want. We all had to start somewhere. Bullies will be hanged at sundown which is why we have none.

The only other thing I'd mention about maps is that once you have settled in on an area to hunt it is nice to buy a waterproof map. They are really durable and last forever. It usually takes at least 2 maps to encompass my spot so when I order the water proof version I canter my area and get everything on one custom map. They make crappy firestarter but in a pinch they can be used to funnel the smallest trickle of water into a container.

[StartMyHunt]

Maps?

My favorite subject. If you are hunting in CO, then you should check out my site. Also, I would appreciate some more recognition from the moderators since I am a sponsor.

Mike

[WapitiTalk1]

Mike, yes sir. Sending you an email now. You "are" a sponsor and your banner should be flying loud and proud here! RJ

[Indian Summer]

Apologies Mike. If you had products for Montana and Wyoming I'd be using your services and would have thought to mention that.

Why don't you take the opportunity to tell Longspeak and others what you have to offer. Maybe just create a thread. It's good for sponsors to do that from time to time.

[StartMyHunt]

Thanks RJ,

No hard feelings on my end. I just really like maps, which is why I do what I do. Hopefully they can help a few guys out.

Mike

[StartMyHunt]

Joe,

No worries, just wanted to throw my hat back into the ring after taking a few months hiatus. I appreciate the support I have been given and am trying my hardest to move into other states. Unfortunately, my real job keeps getting in the way.

Happy hunting,
Mike

[longspeak74]

Mike - PM sent.
Thanks! Bryan

[elk.addict]

What I've done with large paper maps is to have Office Depot print them out - most of them will have a plotter. Then just find out which width paper they run, create your maps using those dimensions (I like 36x48), and bring in the file on a flash drive to have it printed. Lots of programs out there can create these map files.
As mentioned, Caltopo.com is a good site for printed maps and online viewing.

And another option, assuming your printer is capable, is to print out on ledger size paper (11x17). If you print them out double sided you can usually cover a pretty decent size area on one map. And if you laminate them they last a long time. I use 3 mil pouches as they are much more flexible.

[Backyard]

I just go with mytopo.com. water and tear resistant, can set up and order just about any area you can think of in a number of different sizes and scales. I do just the area, plus a boarder section or two, of where I'm hunting. No need in carring around extra. Not expensive, and you can personalize em. Nice maps IMHO.