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I am hunting new area and I am looking into ordering some custom maps of area. I am looking for advice on what scale is useful and what company makes best maps. I also see some places like elk finder maps that locate prime areas within the designated area you looking to hunt. Are these helpful? Thanks Slingblade

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You can download topos here free.

https://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(ctype=areaDetails&xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&carea=%24ROOT&layout=6_1_61_48&uiarea=2)/.do



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I've used MyTopo quite a bit. I find 1:24000 to 1:30000 scale to be the most useful.

For me, I spend alot of time on Google Earth in 3d looking at vegetation in relation to topography then compare what I'm seeing to a paper topo map. I tend to take/keep notes on the paper topo map and have it in my pack. I whip out the paper map a bunch during mid-day and compare to where my GPS says I'm at. I always have a game plan when I move around. The way I do maps helps me develop a game plan before I move and helps when I'm changing the plan on the fly. It's pretty tough to recall vegetation and topo correlations while you're out in the field. Some of the newer phone apps work but they don't work in some situations. The paper notes/map works under all circumstances.


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PDF maps with underlying image

Go there and download to ones desires. Super resolution maps and a good image beneath. All for free.

Do read and follow their directions. One can auger in, search for geographic names, or input decimal degree coordinates in the search box.

Google earth is also good. I could actually see pronghorn on the images when doing my remote scouting last season.

Last edited by 1minute; 03/24/17.

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Guess I'm old. I got my topo maps at the local sporting goods store for the unit I was hunting. I used them for my bighorn sheep hunt & mtn goat. Elk hunting was boots on the ground.

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This one might be easier.

http://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads

ColoradoBob.I have a bunch of topos that we use to pay 30-50 cents each for. Now they run about $10 each at a map store.Not much cheaper if ordered thru USGS in Denver. Usually one needs four quads for a given area. That is $40. I'm too cheap to pay that.

I even had some of the Flat Tops that were blue prints because they were not in distribution yet


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I killed my sheep & goat back in the early 90's. Guess they went up in price.

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My hunting buddy and I have used MyTopo maps for several years now. Great maps and they are good folks to work with.


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Tag for later.

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I also recommend the National Geographic maps.

This is an example, tough and water resistant. Fits in the pack easily.

https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Nation...266&sr=8-2&keywords=nat+geo+maps

Last edited by supercrewd; 03/25/17.

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The Nat Geo maps are the best out there


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Thanks everyone for replies

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I am headed into a new unit for Wyoming elk this year. I have already spent 10 hours on Google Earth. And will spend many more, then arrive a few days early for scouting. A few years ago in a different unit, using GE I had located three areas that I thought would hold elk. I killed a bull in one of those three areas. Even with GE, get all the maps you can gather.

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I am headed into a new unit for Wyoming elk this year. I have already spent 10 hours on Google Earth. And will spend many more, then arrive a few days early for scouting. A few years ago in a different unit, using GE I had located three areas that I thought would hold elk. I killed a bull in one of those three areas. Even with GE, get all the maps you can gather.

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Has anyone used the elk tracker maps or elk finder maps where they identify the areas with in a given area?

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Originally Posted by exbiologist
The Nat Geo maps are the best out there


Yep.



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Originally Posted by saddlesore
This one might be easier.

http://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads

ColoradoBob.I have a bunch of topos that we use to pay 30-50 cents each for. Now they run about $10 each at a map store.Not much cheaper if ordered thru USGS in Denver. Usually one needs four quads for a given area. That is $40. I'm too cheap to pay that.

I even had some of the Flat Tops that were blue prints because they were not in distribution yet


At one point I must've had 70-80 topo maps of various places in the Rockies. I second the NatGeo maps.

Casey


Casey

Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively...
Having said that, MAGA.
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