Map and Compass: 

Map and compass is one of those areas  that we tend to overlook. Many see map work as dull, and something that is difficult to learn. It's this image of map and compass that makes it something easily forgotten, glossed over, or we learn just enough to get us by.

Map and compass skills are the most basic of all outdoor skills. No matter what a person does in the outdoors: hike, cross-country ski, hunt, canoe, etc., he or she will need to know something about maps and compasses.

One of the nicest things about teaching map and compass is that it is truly the great equalizer. It plays no favorites. It's for everyone: children (for this course, I recommend 15 years or older,) adults, men or women. It is a type of activity that transcends gender and ethnic boundaries.

If you have the desire to learn Map and Compass, I guarantee that this course will give you the foundation needed to become an expert in the use of a map and compass while in the field in most of your outdoor activities. When you complete this course you should have the knowledge and confidence to use and understand map and compass. The more you use and practice these skills, the more proficient you will become when using a map and compass in the field.

This is not an introductory or a basic map and compass course. This is a comprehensive course that compares to courses given for military use. No prior knowledge of mapping skills is necessary.

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More Information:

The following is a brief description of some of the material covered in Gary C’s Guiding’ Map and Compass Course. For more information click on; Table of contents.

The course starts with an introduction to maps that will define a map, show you where and how to get maps, define the information in the margins of the map, and describe ground features, map symbols, and other map features.

The section on coordinates will explain the UTM grid system, a system used to identify and locate points on a map. (This section is very important if you intend to use a GPS in conjunction with a map and compass.)

The section on scale and distances will teach you how to measure distances using the map scale, graphic scale, and representative fraction, and how to estimate rates (time) of travel while in the field.

There is a section on elevation and relief that deals with the characteristics of contour lines and how they allow you to determine elevation, identify ground forms, and analyze the terrain shown on your map.

The section called “Direction and Azimuth,” teaches the use of a compass, how a compass works, tips and techniques used to navigate with a compass, compass accuracy, and of course the subject that intimidates almost everyone, declination and converting an azimuth from a declination diagram.

Map reading in the field is the section where everything comes together. There is nothing new in this section; it’s just putting everything that you learned in the course together with a few simple tips and techniques. It includes planning, over coming problems you may encounter, and will give you the confidence to make informed and logical decisions, when in the field.

The use of a GPS is the final section. General use, set up, entering waypoints, etc. is included in this section. Your GPS when used in conjunction with what you have learned in this course will prove invaluable to you while in the field. Do not make the mistake that many individuals make in thinking that a GPS will replace the need for map and compass knowledge. It won’t. To get the most out of your GPS, you must have a good foundation and understanding of map and compass skills. (For more information on GPS, go to GPS on our Map and Compass page.)

This is a 3-day course. 2-days are spent in the classroom, (approximately 8 hours per day, more if needed,) and cover all of the material mentioned above and more. The third or final day, (approximately 6 hours,) is spent in the field applying what you have learned during the course. When possible, we do our fieldwork on snowshoes to add to the overall experience.

The course is given to only 1 or 2 persons at a time. This allows time to spend with each individual, and insures our students will comprehend the material taught.

All of the tools and materials that you will need are included in the course.

Normally this course is offered only in the winter months of Jan., Feb., March, and April.

Please make your plans accordingly to assure that we have time available.

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Reference Letter:

From: Mark Levitas, To: Gary Corson,  Sent: Friday, November 24, 2000 10: 19 PM

Hi Gary- Hope you had a good hunting season. Jon and I think of you often and in particular we thanked you everyday from 11/7-11/11.

It was that time period when we hunted Antcosti Island in some miserable conditions. We had rain and drizzle and poor visibility everyday. Due to two previous wind storms several "marked trails" were unusable. The first night in camp the head guide called us all together and informed us of the trails conditions and provided topographic maps. He then advised all of the hunters to use their map and compass and to be as aware of our direction as possible.

Needless to say Jon and I returned to our room and review what zone we would be hunting in and got an overlay of the land. We set up the UTM grid system on our maps and anxiously waited our first day of hunting.

Jon was guided on day one and our guide placed me in an area where I was to hunt on my own. I looked at the topographic map and at his suggestion I decided to work my way down a trail. Heading to several fields, and if nothing developed to work the high grass along the stream. The wind was blowing fairly hard and swirling so after an hour of field gazing I decided to hunt the high grass along the stream. After walking for a few hours and taking many detours due to heavy flooding I realized that the stream got really "wide." Around 11:30 AM, I realized that our guide would be looking for me at the road and to discuss afternoon plans etc. The island is relatively flat but I was able to establish some boundaries as we discussed in class.

Hunting and concentrating on jumping a deer in the high grass along with the detours was a distraction to some degree but I had no problem whatsoever establishing my general position and return direction of travel. That evening while lying in bed I reflected on how comfortable I felt with my newly honed compass and map skills.

On day two Jon was alone and at the end of the day when we picked him up he was standing on the road with a grin ear to ear. He shot his first buck, a very respectable 8 pointer. At dinner I was amazed to find out that a few hunters had absolutely no idea how to use a compass at all. That night Jon told me how valuable his map and compass skills were because it allowed him to venture with comfort. The burden of not worrying where you are every step of the way surely allows for a more thorough hunt.

The last day I took 2 bucks" but more importantly the"' fisherman who tried big game hunting, bagged another buck on his own. This was a 7 pointer. Needless to say, it was another exceptional father and son venture as have been our fishing exploits with you. In reality your classroom helped make this a great experience and Jon said that you were with us in spirit. Thanks so much and best regards to Diane. We can't thank you enough. Need any venison?

Mark & Jon

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GPS

The Global Positioning System is a constellation of satellites that orbit the earth twice a day, transmitting precise time and position (latitude, longitude and altitude) information. With a GPS receiver, users can determine their location anywhere on the Earth.

The complete system consists of 24 satellites orbiting about 12,000 miles above the Earth, and five ground stations to monitor and manage the satellite constellation. These satellites provide 24-hour-a-day coverage for both two-and three-dimensional positioning anywhere on Earth.

Development of the $10 billion GPS satellite navigation system was begun in the 1970s by the US Department of Defense, which continues to manage the system, to provide continuous, worldwide positioning and navigation data to US military forces around the globe. However, GPS has an even broader civilian, commercial application. To meet these needs, GPS offers two levels of service, one for civilian access and the second encrypted for exclusive military use. The GPS signals are available to an unlimited number of users simultaneously, and there is no charge for using the GPS Satellites.

The basis of GPS technology is precise time and position information. Using atomic clocks and location data, each satellite continuously broadcast the time and its position. A GPS receiver receives these signals, listening to three or more satellites at once, to determine the users position on earth.

By measuring the time interval between the transmission and the reception of a satellite signal, the GPS receiver calculates the user and each satellite. Using the distance measurements of at least three satellites in an algorithm computation, (triangulation) the GPS receiver arrives at an accurate position fix. Information must be received from three satellites in order to obtain two-dimensional fixes (latitude and longitude), and four satellites are required for three-dimensional positioning (latitude, longitude and altitude).

Under normal conditions, the GPS signal will provide a civilian user an accuracy of better than 15 meters (50 feet).

Most GPS users will tell you that as great as GPS is, it does not rule out the need for a compass and a good map. Thus, not only should you learn the basics of your GPS receiver but also you would be well advised to develop compass and map skills.

As accurate and reliable as GPS receivers may be - they can fail - and that's why map and compass skills are also essential. Unless you are quite certain you have the knowledge required, don't place yourself or others in harm by becoming hopelessly lost in remote locations.

Do not make the mistake that many individuals make in thinking that a GPS will replace the need for map and compass knowledge. It won’t. To get the most out of your GPS, you must have a good foundation and understanding of map and compass skills.

Gary C’s Guiding’ Map and Compass course will teach you how to get the most out of your GPS when using your GPS in conjunction with a map and compass. You will learn how to apply your map and compass skills to a GPS. Remember, a GPS is a tool to be used with a map and compass, it will not replace a map and compass.

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Your instructor

Gary Corson, DOB: 6/24/47

I was born, brought up, and have lived in Maine most my life. For me, hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation have been an important part of living in Maine.

I am a registered, full time, professional Maine master hunting and master fishing guide and have made my living guiding hunters and anglers for over 25 years. A map, compass, a GPS and mapping software are tools that I use a great deal in my profession.

In the mid to late 1960’s, I taught map and compass in the military. I have successfully completed courses in “Land Navigation,” and “Map and Aerial Photography Reading,” given by the Marine Corp Institute.

As a guide I have seen first hand how the fear of getting lost limits the ability and experiences of individuals to fully enjoy participating in many outdoor activities.

I designed this course with these individuals in mind. This course will give you the foundation needed to become an expert in the use of a map and compass while in the field.

It’s my responsibility, and I'm committed, to see that everyone that takes this course thoroughly understands and can apply these skills upon completion of the course. (This is the reason that I limit the course to 1 or 2 individuals at a time.) If you have the desire to learn map & compass, and you're willing to  commit 3 days of your time and attention, you'll never have to worry about getting lost while in the field, again.

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Mapping software

Maptech’s “Terrain Navigator,” is a program that I use and recommend to anyone that spends a great deal of time in the field and wants a software program that compliments mapping, compass, and GPS.

Gary C’s Guiding now offers instruction in the use of this software. From basic use, (i.e., set up, tools, help topics, etc.) to more advanced applications including receiving and transferring waypoints, tracks, and routes to and from your GPS, to plotting waypoints, tracks, and routes from the GPS to your maps. This program is the best that I have seen for the serious outdoor person.

This is a new venture for us and although I would be the first to say that a computer whiz, I am not, I do thoroughly understand this program and its applications pertaining to mapping, compass, and the use of a GPS when in the field.

Instruction is given to 1 or 2 persons on a daily or a half-day basis. It is possible for us to come to you.

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Rates

3 day Map & Compass Course -2 persons--$700       1 person-$600

The course is three days in length, with two days of classroom work and one day of fieldwork. The cost includes all of the tools, maps, and equipment needed. If you prefer to take the course in two sessions, i.e. two days of classroom and return the following week for the day of fieldwork, we have no objection as long as our schedule allows it. You are responsible for your own meals and lodging, upon request we will provide you with a list of accommodations in the area.

Mapping Software / * GPS Instruction ----1 or 2 persons ------ $250/day

1 or 2 persons ----- $150/half day

Mapping Software instruction: "Maptech's Terrain Navigator"

* GPS instruction is included in our 3 day Map & Compass Course. If you understand map and compass, (including the UTM grid coordinate system,) but are unfamiliar with GPS operation, normally a half day of instruction is all you'll need.

If you request that we come to you, an additional fee may be required to compensate for travel.

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