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Posted By: tcb22 maps? - 09/05/16
Have a Wyoming antelope hunt in unit 9 this year. What "brand" of map is the best to get?
BLM
Forrest Service
Mytopo
USGS
Thanks, and of course any advice about the area is great
Posted By: NVhntr Re: maps? - 09/05/16
All of the above.

BLM best to show land ownership status.
Forest service best to show open roads in National Forest lands.
USGS best to show topography
Mytopo best to customize to your hunt area
Also get a National Forest travel map if available. Usually free, shows approved travel roads and number designations in better detail
Posted By: 1minute Re: maps? - 09/06/16
The link below is a USGS source for PDF (topo) maps. One can auger in on the page map or put in the name of a near by community in the search box (upper left) to get to the neighborhood. For me it would be Burns Oregon. Being PDF's, Adobe will open them, and one can also get GPS coordinates from them as well (Click Tools, Measure, Geospatial location tool).

Do read the instructions on the right side of the page. These are large files (like 30 megs) of excellent maps, and are absolutely free to download. They also carry a lot of older historic versions, but I typically download the most recent edition. Sometimes, trails etc maybe shown on older maps but not on the newer versions if for instance the USFS has abandoned them. I think there is absolutely full coverage for the US. With some mouse clicking one can make the map form disappear and there is a NAIP aerial photo beneath. Unless one has a large printer, he may need to go to Kinko's or find a friend to run off large hardcopies.

Google Earth photos are just a bit sharper, but the images accompanying these maps are very good as well. Good enough that when I was doing some pronghorn scouting I could actually see animals in some instances.

Once downloaded and opened, one can mark spots, do measurements, draw in routes etc,and resave the file. Good if one wants to exchange info with friends etc. I do a lot of desktop scouting with these.



PDF topo and imagery link
Posted By: JSH Re: maps? - 09/06/16
I highly recommend a land ownership chip for your GPS. I wouldn't hunt Wyoming without one.
Posted By: ToddNEWY Re: maps? - 09/06/16
Originally Posted by JSH
I highly recommend a land ownership chip for your GPS. I wouldn't hunt Wyoming without one.


I second this, I live here and wouldn't hunt public land without one.
Posted By: Dancing Bear Re: maps? - 09/07/16
TAG
Posted By: efw Re: maps? - 09/07/16
Originally Posted by JSH
I highly recommend a land ownership chip for your GPS. I wouldn't hunt Wyoming without one.


Yep; all of the above plus this.

Don't forget the "walk in only" maps on the state site; nine has a ton of that and it's good stuff!
Posted By: tcb22 Re: maps? - 09/08/16
thanks guys
Posted By: tcb22 Re: maps? - 09/22/16
Is there a better source for the walk in area maps? The ones on the website that I can pull up all say "general location". I want to be more specific, the last thing I want to do is get in trouble.
Posted By: sbhooper Re: maps? - 09/23/16
I won't hunt out west now, without my On X map chip. It is a game changer! I even have one now for here in Nebraska.
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