Navigating your hunting maps
Public land hunting maps are updated quarterly, and you may need to download new maps before hunting if the quarter has changed. Make sure you always have the correct quarterly map with you.
Once you have downloaded the correct map onto your GPS–enabled device, it’s a good idea to study it first and identify areas you wish to hunt. Combining a topographic map with satellite imagery from Google Earth can give you the advantage of locating other areas that have a higher chance of holding game animals.
Understanding and interpreting mapping data is a skill that all hunters should master. The topographic maps supplied are an exact replication of what is physically on the ground.
A topographical map is ideal for navigating in the bush as it shows:
- graphic representation of the Earth’s surface
- land as seen from above
- natural features including water, vegetation, hills and valleys
- man-made objects such as buildings and bridges
- contour lines.
Using a topographical map involves recognising features on the ground, finding those features on the map and then following them to where you would like to go. If you see features on the map, expect to find them on the ground as you travel.
