Being able to read and understand maps is an essential part of being a hunter. Without a map, how would you know where to go hunting? We have it pretty easy now that we all have maps built into our phones, but we still need to know how to use them to hunt effectively. Whether you choose to use a paper map or a digital map, there are a few key things to know first.
One of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you’re hunting on public or private land. If you’re hunting privately, once you have the desired property marked on your map, you won’t have to worry too much. If you are hunting on public land, you may have many options to review depending on where you live. Most maps will have color-coordinated land designation areas for public lands. For example, US Forest Service land is most likely green and Beauru of Land Management land is yellow. Both are public land agencies that are very popular for hunting on public lands in the western half of the United States.
One of the most important things to understand on maps while hunting is land boundaries. If you’re hunting privately, you’ll want to make sure you stay within the boundaries of the land you have permission to, and if you’re hunting publicly, you’ll want to make sure you don’t cross onto private land where you don’t have permission. permission to be on. This is where digital maps come in handy. On most digital maps, you can see where you are and how close you are to the limits. These are just a few tips to keep in mind when planning your next hunt. Be sure to watch our “How to Read Maps” video to learn more!
Check out our article on common deer hunting methods.