StartMyHunt Map Review

[cnelk]

I posted this in another thread, but I thought is would be good to post here too.

*******

So I received my map from Mike and have reviewed it thoroughly.

Here is my report:

The map arrived in a cardboard tube, all rolled up.
It not a waterproof map, but it looks like the plotter paper is bonded and coated.

As stated in my other post, it didnt have any \'hot spots\', but that was by default. I know where the \'hot spots\' are on this map.

It has 4 map inserts around the border which cover landownership w/ topo, GMUs, Elk Ranges, Colorado Reference
I liked the insert map that showed nearest trauma centers, EMS, and USFS offices.

The large portion of map was interesting for the location of primary forage, secondary forage and security habitat.
It covers an area about 3 miles X 4 miles
And of course it showed motorized roads, trails and non-motorized.

Upon researching the data on the map, I have now discovered 2 or 3 places that I have over-looked in the past that I will be checking out.
Possible more \'hot spots\' to come.

It is nice to see all the features we may know [or not know] all on one map. Aerial/topo/roads/forage/hot spots

If someone is looking at a certain area, I would consider on getting some maps that connect, as we know elk can travel quite a ways and not having an adjacent map or two to where you are hunting would not be good.

Would I get another one of these maps? YES

Would I recommend these maps to someone? YES

Are they waterproof? NO

Will you see increased hunting pressure from these maps? IMO... NO

Are they over-priced? NO

Will they help you shoot an elk? YES, but you still need to go scout the spots for thermals, blowdowns, cattle use, etc.

I hope this review is helpful

 

[Swede]

Brad, maybe you can help us some more on this. How durable do the maps appear to be, and can I fold it up and put it in my pack without damaging it? Can two or three guys sit around the table and review the map together, or is it so hard to read, that detail is hard to manage? Can I put it in a zip-loc bag to protect it?

 

[cnelk]

It appears to be Architectural C size - 24\"x36\"
Plenty of detail and size so 2-3 guys can look at it easily on a table or on a truck hood.
The paper quality is good, can be folded, but that would risk weakening the bond like any paper. But can be done.
Similar to paper topos you get.
A gallon size ziploc would be good to store it folded up in a pack or in the truck.

 

[Deertick]

I posted on the other thread, too, but I have a quick question.

I\'m assuming that the maps are generated by some sort of interpretation of data, rather than on-the-ground scouting. Am I correct?

 

[cnelk]

I posted on the other thread, too, but I have a quick question.

I\'m assuming that the maps are generated by some sort of interpretation of data, rather than on-the-ground scouting. Am I correct?

Yes, you are correct. I will show you my map the next time you visit

 

[StartMyHunt]

I posted on the other thread, too, but I have a quick question.

I\'m assuming that the maps are generated by some sort of interpretation of data, rather than on-the-ground scouting. Am I correct?

As Brad mentioned, the maps are generated using Geographic Information Systems data and the habitat is interpolated from the various layers. For instance, the hot spots and prime forage areas consist of places where the ground cover is above a certain density of high quality forbs and grasses. The security habitat consists of areas where the forest is dense enough to conceal elk and offer bedding areas. I have performed field verification of the data in the areas that I have hunted and have also received a lot of feed back from others attesting to the accuracy.

Also, the maps are printed on a heavy bond paper that can be folded and holds up well for many seasons. I have actually been using the same map now for three years (because I cannot seem to remember to bring the new maps I print out the night before leaving town) that I stuff into my backpack and it has held up surprisingly well considering it has been snowed and rained on a few times.

Mike

 

[OldMan]

Security habitat is my target.

 

[StartMyHunt]

Security habitat is my target.

Just to clarify, security habitat and all the other layers are on all the printed maps or PDFs. I just do not make the digital files of these features available as an overlay in Google Earth.

 

[elky McElkerson]

What about units? Can someone (me) calibrate my gps to one using UTM/UPS?

 

[cnelk]

Spot [damn auto correct] edit ELKY
What do you want to do?
Change the unit of measure on your GPS to UTM?

 

[elky McElkerson]

Me? I\'m wondering what units the maps are in.

Gah! I kinda asked it clearer the second go around. I like maps w UTM units.

 

[StartMyHunt]

Me? I\'m wondering what units the maps are in.

Gah! I kinda asked it clearer the second go around. I like maps w UTM units.

All of my maps have both a UTM and a Decimal Degree coordinate grid. If you have a coordinate for the area you want to hunt, I do not care what system it is in, I can figure it out. Just send them on.

Mike

 

[cnelk]

UTM is my fav too.
Dec Deg is my second choice.

I make sure when I hunt with buddies we all have the same UOM the same on out GPSs so if we radio each other coords, we can jsut enter them
No, we dont use the Rhinos

 

[elky McElkerson]

Me? I\'m wondering what units the maps are in.

Gah! I kinda asked it clearer the second go around. I like maps w UTM units.

All of my maps have both a UTM and a Decimal Degree coordinate grid. If you have a coordinate for the area you want to hunt, I do not care what system it is in, I can figure it out. Just send them on.

Mike

thanks!!! i think this is great. it\'s a good tool to couple with a GPS set to the same units.

 

[AaronJohnson]

I just received my area map from Mike at Start my Hunt. Very high quality map and informative. I had at over 10 different \"hot spots\" on his small scale Stealth Map. Some of them I knew about, some I found last year and some I had completely overlooked. Mike was spot on using the coordinates I gave him and captured the area I wanted. I will be obtaining more maps of the unit in some different areas as I believe these maps are a great tool. Mike even sent me emails and gave me status updates on my order including the fact that the first map came off of his plotter in less than desirable condition so he gave me that one for no cost. Excellent customer service and high quality maps.
Thanks Mike!

 

[mtnmutt]

Mike assisted me in purchasing a Navigator Map from him. I gave him landmarks for the North, South, East & West borders. He correctly captured my intended map on the first try.

I mostly hunt 0.5 to 1.5 mile from a road.

His map confirmed a new spot which I had virtually scouted this Winter to receive a trail camera. It isn\'t a hot spot and it is only noted as a small area for food and shelter. However, I have past knowledge of elk near this area for opening week. It is >0.5 mile from the road and most hunters stay above this spot. Do not dismiss smaller areas that the map notes for security and food.

His map documented a new honey hole that I discovered last season. It is a good spot for all of September, even after Muzzleloader starts. A couple of steep spots discourages other hunters from trekking in, so the elk feel safe in there.

Another large area is great for pre-ML. Part of it dries up after ML starts. His maps cannot tell a hunter what hunting pressure will do. That is from multi-season experience with an area. At a glance of my map, I guess 80-90% of his documented elk security habitat is good for all of September. The remaining may be negatively influenced by September hunting pressure.

3 years ago, I hunted one of his documented hot spots. It was a backcountry hunt, 2 miles in where elk feed, bed and travel through. Since other hunters have discovered this spot, I have mostly abandoned it. Its access is easy to moderate terrain which led to the increase in hunter numbers.

Would I buy again, yes. Especially areas that I have little knowledge. These maps may motivate me to try a past unit again.

The map will stay at camp and only be shown to those I share knowledge of elk sightings. While hunting, I prefer to use my smaller mytopo maps.

Bottom line, the maps are an excellent investment for either a new hunting area or a hunter\'s current hunting area. The maps will not cause masses of hunters to magically descend upon these elky spots. Most hunters do not hunt >0.5 mile from the road. Find areas >0.5 mile from a road and you may be all alone in your newly discovered elky spots found on these maps.