| Land Navigation for the Hunter |
| As a Hunter Education Instructor of 15 years, and awarded the prestigious honor of the California State Hunter Education Instructor of the year 2002-3, I have found that many hunters rarely venture far from their vehicles due to a concern that they are not familiar with the navigational process. There are many hunters that can master the techniques of good bushmanship and hence navigation, it is not rocket science. My book has been written with the hunter in mind. All maps, references, examples are of sites in California, thus making it easier for the California Hunter to relate and locate them on other reference material, but of course all info is applicable to anyone no matter where you are. I have found in the course of 40 years of study on the topic of navigation that there are of course many other good reference books available on the topics of map reading, orienteering and land navigation, (the U.S. Army's FM 21-26, Bjorn Kellstrom's "Map and Compass", Sierra Club's "Land Navigation" to name a few). Unfortunately none of them compile all the available information available to the land navigator into a single book. They address only the use of topo map and compass. Other tools have been available such as the sun, stars, National Forest maps, Aviation Charts, County maps, etc., and are of use to the Hunter. Of course today we have high tech tools such as CB radios, cell phones, Aviation transceivers, FM personal communicators and probably most useful of all, the Global Positioning Satellite system and the associated handheld receivers. I have tried to achieve the goal of providing information on how best to use each of these tools. The book covers the following topics: Power of observation in navigation and navigation fundamentals, including a brief history and navigation using stars, watches, sticks and the sun. Compasses; different types, advantages and disadvantages of electronic types and their use. Latitude and Longitude, how to determine an exact position using them and the same using Universal Transverse Mercator system (UTM), which all the rest of the world uses and our military has used since the 1940's. .Maps; including Aerial photographs, Topographical maps, National Forest maps, BLM maps, Aviation charts, County maps and others. This section covers explanations of all the information contained in the margins of maps; i.e., magnetic declination, datum, Blue tics, Lat/Long lines, etc., as well as Township and Range information displayed on the maps and how this can help in navigation, or determination where the hunter's quarry may be. Aviation charts are the only maps that have isogonic lines drawn on them. National forest maps have information on Range and Township as well as Latitude and Longitude, coupled with the National Forest markers (K tags) located in the forest, one can find out exactly where one is. Aerial photographs, once the advantage of only the few of us that are pilots, are now available online. The most important section covers how to put all the above information together, and use it to navigate. This section also includes navigation using an altimeter and topographical map. It includes explanations and the practical use of: azimuths, bearing, heading, back azimuth, triangulation (resectioning) , and many other necessary terms. It includes the need to keep approximate distance measurement, pace and a log. GPS's and how the hunter can get the most out of them, including why he/she should buy shares in Eveready or Duracell batteries. Which manufacturers and why? While these devices are great tools, I maintain they are only to be used as a backup to primary navigational skills as they are only as good as the batteries. I have found that they are most useful when scouting, as they allow the hunter to create new maps, including roads, game trails that others will not have during the hunting season. This additional information enables the equipped hunter to get further afield, find pockets of hidden cover that others will not know about. There is a short section on Search & Rescue to help the hunter better understand what to do and what the rescuers are looking for. Finally I have compiled a list (several hundred) of useful websites so that the hunter can find even more detailed information, or purchase maps, Compasses, GPS's, etc., online. My book has been accepted by the Department of Fish and Game, as a resource for California Hunter Education Instructors as reference material. I have also been teaching navigation classes to instructors and Dept of Fish & Game, Wardens in these regions as well as Search & Rescue teams. NEW for 2006 I am teaching at the Big Game Clinic for the Dept. of Fish & Game Advanced Hunter Education series of clinics in Willows, CA on May 20th & 21st, Navigation & Survival in Fort Hunter Ligget Feb 25th & 26th,, and again in the Snow Mountain wilderness area, June 10th & 11th.. Check http://dfg.ca. gov/coned/huntclinics for more details. I also offer navigation classes to the general public, specialized groups by special arrangement in the Bay Area or at your location, I charge a flat fee of $500, plus expenses for large groups, or $85 per student, minmum 7 students for private classes. I provide all maps and materials neccessary, but suggest that if the students want to utilize maps of their favorite hunting area, they should provide them. My book was printed last at the beginning of 2005, however I have once again updated the CD with more information pertaining to bearing or witness trees as a means of determining positional location, which will make into the printed version at the next printing. Any students of the art of hunting or backpacking can obtain a copy of the book ($17:00 including postage & packaging, either on CD or paperback, or $20 for both) by contacting me direct at the email address below. Updated 12/01/05 |
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