source for maps, for hunting
Can anyone give me some advice on what is a good source for maps when it comes to hunting in Colorado?
The specific area I'm interested in has a significant amount of private land so I'd need something decent that would hopefully prevent someone from wandering onto private land.
The specific area I'm interested in has a significant amount of private land so I'd need something decent that would hopefully prevent someone from wandering onto private land.
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Here in Colorado trespassing especially during hunting season is a big deal. Remember you don't have to cross a fence or a visible marker to go from public to private land and private does not have to be posted so getting good maps and knowing how to use them is critical. You didn't say if you'd be hunting BLM, State lands, or National forests, all of which are huntable public lands. I have some addresses but you might try to search for websites to buy from, BLM maps are the best for detail and show all the details you'll need but don't show the National Forests very well, I get the 30x60 minute Quadrangle 1:100 000 scale metric topo. Source; U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management State office Denver, CO 80205. Also available at U.S. Geological Survey Denver CO 80225.
National Forest Service Maps can be had through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service then you have to figure out which National Forest you'll be in and order that specific map.
One other good source to help you navigate around is a Map book you can get at Walmart or a good book store called De Lorme's and you buy one map book for the whole state, it's not as detailed but it is a valuable map to have.
Sorry I got so long winded, contact me if you need more info.0 -
Thanks Snellstrom, that was very good info. And yes, it is BLM land. 0 -
try this sight for maps
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/default.aspx
We're men. Its our God given right to watch sports and smut" - Al Bundy0 -
The Colorado division of wildlife has a new feature on their website in the last week or so. If you click on the gmu maps, it allows you to overlay all sorts of maps ie: topo and surface management maps. Thats the official blm name for what you want. This will get you pointed in the right direction. The DOW website also gives the appropriate info for the agencies you seek. I personally am very much looking forward to hunting in a special "sweet spot". Last year I ran into a party that killed ten bulls for eleven guys there opening day. The last guy passed up 8 chances!
....I never met a gun I didn't like!0 -
Here in California we have a lot of public land, including National Forest land.
Most forests provide "status maps" that overprint the public land in a pale green ink. I have found them useful in distinguishing private and public land. (Really saved my hunt once.) Our Plumas National Forest used to print a fire evacuation map that was free.
Some forest and BLM offices have great supplies of quad maps. The most detailed ones I've used are the 7? minute series, a section runs about 2?" on the map, and includes individual buildings as of the date of the map, as well as contour lines, springs, and even on some maps, wooded areas.
As stated above, Terra Server and Map Quest is a great way to wile away an evening or two, and you can print them off, either the aerial photographs or topo maps. Be sure you have plenty of ink for your printer!
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross0 -
Ross; When I used to Hunt and Fish I'd go to the County Assessors Office and get a County Map...Had all the Streets and Roads and Trails and Highways and Byways, Farms, Ranchs, and Housing Tracts...Just about everything You could possibly want...And having a SECTIONAL is another thing you might consider...just stop by any Flight School and ask to see a sectional..{Pilots Map}...Lots of Info there..
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
You have email.[:)][:)] 0 -
I'm a commercial Real Estate broker, so my whole life is finding land! The county assessor is an EXCELLENT suggestion. As the feds don't pay taxes to the states, USA land is well marked in their map books. Also there are other parcels of land/ranches federally owned for a variety of reasons ie: DEA,etc for meth labs et al. The blm surface management maps are usually 10+ years old. They are not indicative of interagency trades, sales, purchases, etc.
You need to understand that the BLM is LITERALLY the land that nobody else wanted. The mountain states were settled differently than the rest of the country in that it was "patented" or given to homesteaders that agreed to "improve" the land at a certain amount of work per year. Obviously they took the river bottoms with water and left the desert with no water or soil. Keeping that in mind, stay away from most large tracts of BLM and aim for small pockets ie:-80 acres surrounded by private lands when looking for game. Elk will be moving through them fleeing for their lives once the shooting starts on National Forest land or bedding down after raiding hay fields all night. Antelope hunting is FANTASTIC!!!! We identify small 20-40 acre parcels that are almost landlocked but a road or even an interstate onramp crosses the corner. Drive down the road and reset your odometer at a landmark such as a creek or RR crossing. When the shooting starts on opening morning, the game runs for these little pockets away from the road hunters. They run right to you at 50 MPH while the other guys watch!
Every town has a hunter welcoming center. They can sell you maps once you get there. But call the DOW and talk to a BIOLOGIST not any other staff. Biologists love their work and love to talk about it. Wardens just want to keep you away from trouble and make their jobs easy. The Biologist will tell you down to the last animal where to locate game and how many live there as of this morning. Don't believe anything a local says! The last time they hunted was thirty years ago and if they do know, they sure aren't telling YOU...
....I never met a gun I didn't like!0 -
Go to North American hunting.com They have a link there You pay yearly up to 29.95 For full aerial & land maps anywhere in the united states , Can even get digital imageing In color, glossy paper for extra of course.
Slow0
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