Thaninator

Chilly:
Your program sounds pretty good. And your right about "where the fagawi" .

As for the "newer" GPSs; can't beat 'em! I'll never go back. All you have to do is buy the GPS and the CD, and your set. The program is made specifically for the GPS line, and is WAY easy to use.

The beauty of it is that you are carrying a whole slew of topos righ on your GPS. This allows you to "scout" way out ahead, just by scrolling around your GPS's screen.

As to taking a map and compass along with you, your are right on the money. I never go in the feild without at least a compass to accompany my GPS. Batteries fail, and GPSs can get broken or lost (Just ask my wife...I'm on my fourth one...she swears I break mine every time a newer model comes out <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> )

<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> If You Ain't Hunted Alaska, You're Still Just Practicing <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

Charlie P

BM,Here is a link to an online article on how to read Topo's hope it helps.
http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/featu...pos/index.html

Hillhntr

BM I had to learn to use topos in the Army and I can tell you you once you learn to ID terrain features saddles, draws etc. topos can save you a lot of walking. The best success I have had personally is by primarily useing photos looking for bottlenecks or potential travel routes or to help me keep up with stand sites or scouting info. By the end of bow season my photos look like my my 1 year old son to his markers to it. Hope you get something outa this....Hill