Hunting GPS - Three Ways to Use Your GPS When Scouting for Your Next Hunt

A GPS unit can be very helpful when hunting but even more so when scouting for your next hunting trip. The three best ways to use a GPS unit is for marking waypoints, making routes, and making tracks.

Marking Waypoints - As you scout for your next hunting trip you will want to mark items such as your tree stand or blind location, game sign (either tree rubs, foot tracks, or droppings), and water holes that have game activity. By marking these waypoints in your GPS it will give you an overall view of the game activity in your potential hunting area.

Making Routes - If you are doing spot and stalk hunting you can use your GPS to make a route of the area you plan on hunting. Start by starting the route at your vehicle position then make a route waypoint at varies places you would like to glass in your hunting area in the order that you would come to them.

Make a Track - While you are scouting for your next hunting trip you may want to make a track when you start exploring a new area. When you leave your vehicle or camp start making a track log with your GPS. This will make a “bread crumb trail” for you to follow back to your starting point without having to mark any waypoints along the way. This is very helpful when you are just surveying a new area to hunt and most of your concentration is looking for game sign, game trails, and a good tree stand location.

As you can see using your GPS to mark waypoints, make routes, and tracks while scouting for your next hunting trip is extremely helpful. When it is time to go hunting you will appreciate the potential hunting spots you marked in you GPS on your scouting trip instead of blindly having to find a good place to hunt.