GPS units were a very popular gift this past holiday season for hunters. But now you will want to get the right accessories for your GPS before your next hunting trip. There are a number of different accessories available but only a few are must-haves when hunting.
First, you will want to get a carrying case for your GPS unit. It will protect you new hunting GPS unit from getting scrapes and scratches on it. Most carrying cases have a clear, vinyl area which protects the screen while leaving open areas for the control buttons. Make sure to get the proper carrying case for your specific GPS unit.
Second, you will want to get a 12 volt adapter for your hunting GPS. This will allow you to charge you GPS in your vehicle while driving to your hunting location. This will ensure that your batteries are fully charged and your GPS is ready to navigate when you start your hunt.
Third, I would recommend getting additional MicroSD memory cards if your GPS unit has this option. It is very helpful to place your topo maps for each hunting area on separate memory cards. Then you can switch the cards depending on which area you are hunting. For instance, if you are going to hunt elk in Arizona you can put all your Arizona maps on one card, while having all your deer hunt maps for your own state on another card.
And finally, an instructional DVD for your new GPS unit will help you learn how to operate it before you go to use your unit for scouting or hunting. If you know how to operate your hunting GPS before you get out in the field you will get the maximum benefit from your new GPS unit.
So, as you can see these are just a few of the accessories you will want to get for your new hunting GPS unit. Having the right accessories make using your GPS much easier.
Showing posts with label Hunting GPS Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hunting GPS Tips. Show all posts
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, November 20, 2008
GPS For Hunting Q&A - How Can I Use My Hunting GPS When Scouting?
Have you ever wondered how you can use your hunting GPS unit while you are scouting for your next hunting trip? Then, read on to find out.
Q. How Can I Use My Hunting GPS When Scouting?
A. When you are scouting for your next hunt you can use your hunting gps to mark waypoints, make routes, or make a track. This is also a great time to make sure the proper topographical maps are loaded into your GPS for the area you plan on hunting.
* You can mark waypoints of your tree stand or blind location, tree rubs, foot tracks, droppings, or water holes. It is good to take the time to develop a little system for naming all your different waypoints.
* You can make routes which could contain varies route waypoints where you would like to glass from along a ridge in a spot and stalk situation.
* You may also want to make a track from your camp or vehicle location as you are surveying a new potential hunting area. Tracks are very easy to make because you don’t have to enter in varies waypoints along your walk. The GPS simply makes a bread crumb trail on the route you took into an area so you can follow the track out.
* You will want to load the correct topo maps in your GPS for your hunting area and look around on it from water tanks, springs, and ridge lines that you want to check for game activity. By getting acquainted with all the landmarks in your hunting area will make for a far more successful hunt come the hunting season. It will give you a chance of exploring other hunting spots during your hunt in case one area is lacking activity.
Q. How Can I Use My Hunting GPS When Scouting?
A. When you are scouting for your next hunt you can use your hunting gps to mark waypoints, make routes, or make a track. This is also a great time to make sure the proper topographical maps are loaded into your GPS for the area you plan on hunting.
* You can mark waypoints of your tree stand or blind location, tree rubs, foot tracks, droppings, or water holes. It is good to take the time to develop a little system for naming all your different waypoints.
* You can make routes which could contain varies route waypoints where you would like to glass from along a ridge in a spot and stalk situation.
* You may also want to make a track from your camp or vehicle location as you are surveying a new potential hunting area. Tracks are very easy to make because you don’t have to enter in varies waypoints along your walk. The GPS simply makes a bread crumb trail on the route you took into an area so you can follow the track out.
* You will want to load the correct topo maps in your GPS for your hunting area and look around on it from water tanks, springs, and ridge lines that you want to check for game activity. By getting acquainted with all the landmarks in your hunting area will make for a far more successful hunt come the hunting season. It will give you a chance of exploring other hunting spots during your hunt in case one area is lacking activity.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Hunting GPS Q&A - How Can I Use My GPS For Recovering an Animal After My Shot?
Q. How Can I Use My GPS For Recovering an Animal After My Shot?
A. You can use your GPS to track a blood trail by entering a waypoint for every blood spot you come to until you find your animal.
After you have made a shot on an animal that you are hunting, the first thing you want to do is make a waypoint of the position you shot it from. This is something you can do while you are waiting before you start tracking your animal.
When you are ready to start tracking your animal go to where you believe your animal was standing when you shot it. Make a waypoint of this position as well. It may also be helpful to go to the last spot you saw the animal and make this a waypoint, too.
By now you should have blood that you can start to follow. Depending on the amount of blood will determine how often you want to make a waypoint. If it is a heavy blood trail you will have to make fewer waypoints. However, if the blood trail is light and faint you will want to make far more frequent waypoints.
These waypoints will give you a great reference if in the event the blood trail dries up. If this occurs go back to the last waypoint you recorded and start looking in all directions to pick up the blood trail again.
These waypoints will be extremely helpful in the event you need to spot the search at night and resume it will fellow hunting buddies come morning light.
A. You can use your GPS to track a blood trail by entering a waypoint for every blood spot you come to until you find your animal.
After you have made a shot on an animal that you are hunting, the first thing you want to do is make a waypoint of the position you shot it from. This is something you can do while you are waiting before you start tracking your animal.
When you are ready to start tracking your animal go to where you believe your animal was standing when you shot it. Make a waypoint of this position as well. It may also be helpful to go to the last spot you saw the animal and make this a waypoint, too.
By now you should have blood that you can start to follow. Depending on the amount of blood will determine how often you want to make a waypoint. If it is a heavy blood trail you will have to make fewer waypoints. However, if the blood trail is light and faint you will want to make far more frequent waypoints.
These waypoints will give you a great reference if in the event the blood trail dries up. If this occurs go back to the last waypoint you recorded and start looking in all directions to pick up the blood trail again.
These waypoints will be extremely helpful in the event you need to spot the search at night and resume it will fellow hunting buddies come morning light.
Hunting GPS - A Quick Start Guide to Using a GPS When Hunting
Using a GPS for hunting can be very useful when scouting, on your hunt, and for recovering your animal. However, you will want to learn how to mark a waypoint, make a route, and use the hunt/fish calculator in your GPS unit before you go out into the field. All GPS units are a little different but some basic instructions are as follows:
Mark a Waypoint
When you want to mark your current position out in the field you will want to go to the mark a waypoint screen in your GPS. You will see your current position in the form of a GPS waypoint. Use your navigation buttons to go to the place an name your position such as TreeStand1, Elk Tank, etc. Now when you want to return to this position you can just find the name you gave it in your list of waypoints and your GPS will lead you back to your current spot.
Make A Route
A route is a series of waypoints that will lead you to your final destination. I often use a route when I am scouting and want to mark several points along a ridge that I would like to glass for animals in potential spot and stalk situation. You can make a route in your GPS by going to the routes screen in your GPS. Then click on New to make a new route waypoint. Continue doing this until you have marked all the points along the way you wish to glass from until you reach your final destination.
Hunt/Fish Calculator
Many GPS units have a hunt/fish calculator built into them which will tell you the best times to be out in the field for hunting based on the phase of the moon. Each GPS is pretty different as to how you access this information so consult your owners manual for specific instruction. This information will help you be in the field at the most opportune time when the animals are up and moving around.
This is just a few things to get you started using your GPS for hunting. To learn all about what your GPS unit can do and how to use it, look for an instructional DVD for your specific GPS model.
Mark a Waypoint
When you want to mark your current position out in the field you will want to go to the mark a waypoint screen in your GPS. You will see your current position in the form of a GPS waypoint. Use your navigation buttons to go to the place an name your position such as TreeStand1, Elk Tank, etc. Now when you want to return to this position you can just find the name you gave it in your list of waypoints and your GPS will lead you back to your current spot.
Make A Route
A route is a series of waypoints that will lead you to your final destination. I often use a route when I am scouting and want to mark several points along a ridge that I would like to glass for animals in potential spot and stalk situation. You can make a route in your GPS by going to the routes screen in your GPS. Then click on New to make a new route waypoint. Continue doing this until you have marked all the points along the way you wish to glass from until you reach your final destination.
Hunt/Fish Calculator
Many GPS units have a hunt/fish calculator built into them which will tell you the best times to be out in the field for hunting based on the phase of the moon. Each GPS is pretty different as to how you access this information so consult your owners manual for specific instruction. This information will help you be in the field at the most opportune time when the animals are up and moving around.
This is just a few things to get you started using your GPS for hunting. To learn all about what your GPS unit can do and how to use it, look for an instructional DVD for your specific GPS model.
Hunting GPS - My 3 Favorite Things To Do With My Hunting GPS
Do you know what my 3 favorite things to do with my hunting GPS are? Read on to find out.
I love using my GPS unit for hunting. It has really help out in a number of ways. GPS technology can help you when scouting, hunting, and recovering an animal.
Scouting
* When scouting I like to use my GPS unit for marking areas I would like to glass when doing a spot and stalk hunt.
* I also use it after I have set up my tree stand or ground blind so I can easily find my way in the early morning hours before the sun rises.
Hunting
* While I am out hunting I will use my GPS to guide me to my tree stand or ground blind in the dark, morning hours before daybreak.
* I will also use it to look for good areas to hunt in a spot and stalk situation. By using a topographical map that is loaded into my GPS unit I can find canyons, springs, and tanks to look for animals.
* Another great use for my GPS when hunting is marking my vehicle or camp location in my GPS so I can easily return to it after my hunt without a lot of backtracking.
Recovery - Tracking an Animal
After I have shot an animal I also make a waypoint of the spot where I shot it from. Then I mark waypoints for each bloodspot I come to. If the blood trail in very heavy I don’t make as many waypoints however if it is a small and scanty blood trail these waypoints can really help out if the blood trail end. With the help of these blood trail waypoints you can go back to the last good blood spot and have a better chance of recovering you animal.
As you can see a GPS is very useful when scouting, hunting, and recovering an animal.
I love using my GPS unit for hunting. It has really help out in a number of ways. GPS technology can help you when scouting, hunting, and recovering an animal.
Scouting
* When scouting I like to use my GPS unit for marking areas I would like to glass when doing a spot and stalk hunt.
* I also use it after I have set up my tree stand or ground blind so I can easily find my way in the early morning hours before the sun rises.
Hunting
* While I am out hunting I will use my GPS to guide me to my tree stand or ground blind in the dark, morning hours before daybreak.
* I will also use it to look for good areas to hunt in a spot and stalk situation. By using a topographical map that is loaded into my GPS unit I can find canyons, springs, and tanks to look for animals.
* Another great use for my GPS when hunting is marking my vehicle or camp location in my GPS so I can easily return to it after my hunt without a lot of backtracking.
Recovery - Tracking an Animal
After I have shot an animal I also make a waypoint of the spot where I shot it from. Then I mark waypoints for each bloodspot I come to. If the blood trail in very heavy I don’t make as many waypoints however if it is a small and scanty blood trail these waypoints can really help out if the blood trail end. With the help of these blood trail waypoints you can go back to the last good blood spot and have a better chance of recovering you animal.
As you can see a GPS is very useful when scouting, hunting, and recovering an animal.
Monday, October 27, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hunting GPS: The 3 Biggest Mistakes that Hunters Make When Using a GPS Unit.
Everyone is using GPS units now and hunters are no exception. They are great for marking game sign, waterholes, potential hunting spots, and marking a blood trail. But before you go in the field with your GPS unit make sure you are not making these 3 mistakes.
1. Not Marking Your Truck or ATV position - This is the biggest mistake most hunters make when using a GPS. They are so excited to get starting on their hunting or scouting trip that they left their vehicle without marking it in their GPS unit. Before they know it they are a mile from the truck and remember that they didn’t make a mark of their vehicle location. Don’t let this happen to you. Make a habit of marking your vehicle position in your GPS unit before you put your pack on or pick up your gun/bow.
2. Not Carrying Extra Batteries - It is extremely important to always carry extra batteries for your GPS in your hunting backpack. Even though most GPS units can be used for more than 25 hours on one set of batteries, who knows how many hours you have used your GPS for before your hunt and how long you may need it after you are in the field.
3. Not Looking Around at Their Surrounding - GPS technology is very good for marking the location of your vehicle or hunting spots but it is very important that you do not rely on it as your only directional device. Always look around at your surrounding and make mental notes of landmarks of your vehicle location and hunting area. A compass is also a great device to have in your pack. When tracking with a GPS make sure to look up and notice the sights around you. Technology can fail. The GPS could stop working or you could drop and break it. Always use common sense when on your hunting trips and don’t rely solely on your GPS for your direction.
By avoiding these mistakes when using your GPS on your next hunting trip you will get more out of your GPS as well as having a safer hunt.
1. Not Marking Your Truck or ATV position - This is the biggest mistake most hunters make when using a GPS. They are so excited to get starting on their hunting or scouting trip that they left their vehicle without marking it in their GPS unit. Before they know it they are a mile from the truck and remember that they didn’t make a mark of their vehicle location. Don’t let this happen to you. Make a habit of marking your vehicle position in your GPS unit before you put your pack on or pick up your gun/bow.
2. Not Carrying Extra Batteries - It is extremely important to always carry extra batteries for your GPS in your hunting backpack. Even though most GPS units can be used for more than 25 hours on one set of batteries, who knows how many hours you have used your GPS for before your hunt and how long you may need it after you are in the field.
3. Not Looking Around at Their Surrounding - GPS technology is very good for marking the location of your vehicle or hunting spots but it is very important that you do not rely on it as your only directional device. Always look around at your surrounding and make mental notes of landmarks of your vehicle location and hunting area. A compass is also a great device to have in your pack. When tracking with a GPS make sure to look up and notice the sights around you. Technology can fail. The GPS could stop working or you could drop and break it. Always use common sense when on your hunting trips and don’t rely solely on your GPS for your direction.
By avoiding these mistakes when using your GPS on your next hunting trip you will get more out of your GPS as well as having a safer hunt.
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