Author Topic: Mark all traps on your line using GPS units... (Read 1206 times)

GearedForNature · « **on:** February 18, 2003, 11:34:04 AM »

HI all..

We are a new sponsor here at the Graybeard Forums. Do any of you use GPS units to mark your trap locations? Would you ?

NEW For February-- We have just added Magellan GPS units to our inventory. All the most popular handheld models.

We also carry a full line of Garmin GPS units, both handheld and mounted (Fishfinders too).

Please check out our site: http://www.GearedForNature.com

We strive to offer low prices, and great service. We would love to hear from you if you have any product questions....Thanks, Hope to see you soon!
Mike
Geared For Nature

foxtail · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2003, 05:46:10 PM »

Why would someone use a gps for marking traps?
Since they seem to only locate to within 10-100 yards, that would be too far off. If you are just referring to each stops, it would be easier to use a map.
If I am missing something here, by all means let me know.

I have one which is supposed to be good but even after they supposedly turned off the limited availability function, it still only comes to within 100 yards.

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2003, 07:20:50 PM »

I've harbored precisely the same thoughts as Foxtail. I doubt if I would need a GPS to check traps but will follow the thread and learn what I can.

trappnman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2003, 01:56:53 AM »

On my coyote and otter research trapping- all sets and all catch locations were recorded by gps.

While I didn't seem much practical use on the line itself- it was of great use when walking big marshes to record spots with sign or other salient features. It was also useful to be able to give a location to another prescisely, rather than trying to describe a location out in the swamp.

The model we used was accurate to less than 10 yards.

SEMO Trapper · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2003, 05:03:39 AM »

Which model will get ya that close Steve?

Mallard · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2003, 06:31:34 AM »

If I'm not mistaken, didn't the government have alot to do with the accuracy of these units, or rather lack of accuracy? I got my paws on a new Garmin this past fall and the accuracy was impressive. (maybe even within 3 or 4 feet) I have toyed with the idea of incorporating one of these into my trap lion due to the "new" accuracy. I say new because I think I heard somewhere that the Government allowed the technology to be tapped from the satelites?

Maybe Mike can shed some light?

trappnman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2003, 06:52:30 AM »

SEMO- don't know- wasn't allowed to touch em LOL. They belonged to the dnr.

GearedForNature · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2003, 07:25:16 AM »

Hi guys,

My original thought was using GPS units for a wider range of traps. The US govt did have restrictions on the accuracy allowed to civilian use, but those restriction have been relaxed, and a person can now expect to get within 3-10 feet.
On a recent trip to Canyonlands NP in UTah, I was using a Garmin Etrex Vista, and I was able to get even closer than that. A lot of it depends on your view of the sky. If you have heavy tree cover, any GPS will be less accurate.
I guess how a person uses a GPS is up to them, but there are so many good applications, anyplace you want to return to an exact spot, GPS is the way to go. I actually have plotted in golf holes, so I know how far I am from the pin, elevation, etc.
Hope I helped..
Mike
GearedForNature
www.gearedforanture.com

foxtail · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2003, 07:31:07 AM »

The reason they are not accurate is because they work off of millitary satalites. There is an intentional error incorporated into the signal to confuse non- millitary units. It didn't work as well as it was suppopsed to so the govt was going to turn off the selective availibility function, but so far I have seen no results.
If they worked as well as the makers claim they would be great for the trapline.
We had them mounted on our cannons when I was in the army and they were so accurate that they had been put there to eliminate the old method of sighting the gun.

Slug-Gunner · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2003, 07:58:14 AM »

For those of you who either own a GPS unit or are serious about getting one, I recommend the following book.

GPS Land Navigation
(A Complete Guidebook for Backcountry Users of the NAVSTAR GPS System)
by Michael Ferguson
ISBN: 0-9652202-5-7
SRP: $19.95

This is one of the best books I've found on utilizing GPS systems for land navigation. It covers the history of GPS briefly (so you understand how it works); explains how a GPS locates a given point (landmark/waypoint); explains the different methods of recording these locations in both Latitude and Longitude and the UTM coordinate sytems; and it explains how to use the GPS along with a compass and map to accurately navigate to within feet of a known coordinate. It explains the limitations of using the GPS under varying adverse conditions and when it CAN and CANNOT be relied on for accurate navigation. The MOST IMPORTANT thing it does is to explain that a GPS (at least the ones most of us can afford and use) are NOT MEANT for precise, pinpoint navigation ALONE. When used in conjunction with a topographical map and a compass, they will give you the capability to locate VERY PRECISE POSITION and AZIMUTH/BEARING INFORMATION to that position (or any known coordinates you wish to use). Not all units, mainly the older ones, give accurate guidance (HEADING) information while moving at very slow walking speeds. This is where the compass comes in to allow you to precisely follow the VERY ACCURATE AZIMUTH/BEARING info given by the GPS. The book explains in detail, using layman terms anyone can understand, how to do this (using either Lat/Long or UTM systems).

I use my computer to download and print topographical maps FREE from various map server web sites on the internet for any area I plan to hunt in, especially when it is a NEW AREA I haven't scouted or hunted before.
I carry a compass with me AT ALL TIMES, along with my GPS and topo map folded into a pocket size map of the immediate area I'm located in.
The first thing I do when arriving is to get a position fix for where my vehicle is parked. I locate this coordinate position on my UPM-MGRS map and note its relation to the E/W path of SUN travel. I'll then check the magnetic declination for that area and compensate for it on my compass before ever leaving the vehicle. Using your topo UTM-MGRS map, you can estimate the coordinates of locations you wish to travel to and enter them into your GPS before you even start (or at home before you leave).
My GPS, an older Magellan ColorTrak, shows the approximate location of the sun or moon in relation to the compass rose as it travels across the sky. If the sun is shining and not obscurred by clouds, I can use this to orient my GPS and utilize it alone for most navigation. If it is obscured, I use the compass to determine my ACCURATE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL.
The main use of the GPS is to provide VERY PRECISE POSITION COORDINATES and AZIMUTH/BEARING readings in relation to them.

The main limitation of most GPS units is in locating TRUE NORTH or the DIRECTION YOU ARE FACING when STANDING STILL. Some of the newer GPS units can be purchased with an "electronic compass" built into them. If you can afford them, they may be easier to use, but I'd still carry a good magnetic compass with me AS A BACKUP. Always carry SPARE BATTERIES for your GPS and flashlight with you.... they may make the difference between survival or death should you become injured or stranded due to changing weather conditions. I often teach the SURVIVAL portion of our Hunter Education Program so I'm a little more aware of it.

Here is a website that gives a lot of information on GPS types and use. Some of the info is old, but still informative for novice/beginner users.

http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/gps.html

The HOME PAGE provides info on a lot of various subjects of interest too, much like the Graybeard Outdoors web site. Jesse posts here too, but is courteous enough not to promote his website while here. See if you can figure out what his screen name is here? I recognized it quickly.

:lol:

BTW: Selective Availability has been turned off for SEVERAL YEARS NOW, and it does make a HUGE DIFFERENCE in GPS accuracy and precision.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2003, 10:12:15 AM »

Slug-Gunner:

I like your approach. As I read down the string of messages I was formulating my mesage when I hit yours. Basically you almost said it all. I suspect these boys can find their traps at 2 a.m. if they had to, with three feet of fresh snow on ground. But I think they need to look at the oppertunity that a Garmin Legend or Vista provides them with MapSource software. Now you can find great topo maps at TopoZone.com. Print one out and carry it in your pocket. But what will the gps do for you. With your traps identified as Waypoints the little lady can go out and run your traps after you fall off the bar stool at the Bucket of Blood tavern. Now I realize that those boys up around Red Lake do not drink much.

Leave the little Lady a map with your Waypoints on it, accidents happen. If you do not show-up she "might" want to find you. Give her something to work with. I just left the barber shop. The barber was telling me about a customer that had not showed up for a long time. One day the customer went out in the woods, not telling his family or anybody where he was going. It was just going to be a half day trip. He got stuck in the snow, his lower legs froze. They had to remove them below the knees. It pays to plan ahead.

Siskiyou

SEMO Trapper · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2003, 10:45:06 AM »

I use my GPS mostly for ocean fishing to locate fish cover. The unit I use will not get you to within 10 yards of the object unless you get lucky.. If I could purchase a unit that would get me to within 3 to 4 feet I would be ready to use one for trapping purposes..

Siskiyou · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2003, 11:02:24 AM »

I think that if it gets you between 15 to 30 feet your are having a very good gps day.

Siskiyou

Thumper · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2003, 03:16:49 PM »

I have to agree with Siskiyou. A lot of the older trappers and bow hunters would be offended if asked to use one. There are plenty of times I have to check traps well after dark with nothing more than a lantern. So far I haven't lost or forgotten a set. All these high tech gadgets are OK for some people, but this is what I enjoy most of all about trapping. Look at the big picture. Trapping is probably the only remaining outdoor sport than hasn't fallen to technology. The day that a lazer guided, heat seeking, satelite driven, fur taker out sells a good foot hold trap, then I will take up knitting. I like getting away from phones, computers, cars and anything else that does not contain a semiconductor. Thats about the last thing I want to do in the woods is rely on something other than myself. By the way, I do not own or have any intensions of buying a GPS. I'll get off my soapbox now. :?

foxtail · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2003, 09:45:03 PM »

That is a very good point. But at the same time, it would be nice to be able to tell your buddy that if you get hurt, that he can find every one of your traps. I am not holding my breath waiting for a gps system that works. With the exception of the military models.

trappnman · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2003, 02:25:49 AM »

did you know that they make a trap for research that has computer chips in it- so that when the trap fires, it broadcasts a signal to your phone- so you know the trap made a catch.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2003, 06:14:52 AM »

I just finshed an article regarding "Geocaching." Sounds like a lot of fun, but it also points out the what I believe are the limitations if a person unfamilar with a trapline trying to locate sets. I do not believe a competent trapper needs a gps. I am having fun with my gps, but it is not an required toy, like a new -06.

If a trapper spent the extra money for a gps with upload and download memory and mapped his sets(Waypoints) there maybe some advantages. An experience outdoorsman can visualize on a topo map, water sources, feed, and travel zones. By creating waypoints in a gps and downloading them to a topo map I am able to visualize a far larger area then what I see on the ground. Heavy vegetation limits my line of site. But field experience along with mapping skills may produce next years buck.

Because of drought conditions, and heavy over grazing by cattle I had to shifted my deer hunting area a few miles. I had been in the new area a few times over the years but never hunted it. Using a topo map I planned out a hunt. Withing a few hours I was gutting out a buck but I learned far more. While water was not a critical issue in the area, the deer seemed to move a lot for it.(lots of tracks) After picking up some tracks I pushed a few deer in a short time. In another twenty minutes I was setting in the mix brush and timber watching deer on the otherside of the canyon feed. What I did not know was that they were just above a major spring. If I had checked the topo map in my pocket I would have realized that. In awhile three legal bucks entered into the area. I shot at one, and they all disappeared into the brush and timber. I ran around the side of the hill and spotted two bucks and a group of does moving away. I watched them for a long period of time. I will use this information to scout the area next summer. I am sure that this was their escape routes. And routes into other feeding or bedding zones. I will locate ground stands(waypoints) to take advantage of this intelligence.

I will also use this information to hunt the booming coyote population in this area come fawning time. As an inteligence tool on knocking off Mr. Coyote I might create a scat map(waypoints). I also have a couple of friends that work in the Zone I like to hunt. I am going to ask them to give me Lat/Longs on any good bucks they see. (Must note that my traps have not moved out of the garage in years.)

I started this process in the "60's." Using a pocket notebook I would record the location of any 4x4 bucks(10-pt Eastern) in the notebook. I also maintained a buck map to go along with the notes. The bottomline was that I was able to do what was needed without a gps. Now my notes will be more accurate. The relationship is that these animals share the same dirt with critters that trappers are interested in.

www.geocaching.com

Siskiyou

P.S. I believe that if a trapper created a track and stored it on his gps that it would create a more accurate map of a trapline. When I am creating a Track on my gps and wonder off my return course it creates a path for the second route even if it is a few feet.

TRAPPER-N-HUNTER · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2003, 08:18:13 PM »

With most trapping today being that of vehicle, I dont see a real need for a GPS for trapping, now hunting would be a different story. I bet Ole' Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone would have loved using them though for their adventures.

I would be more than happy there GEAREDFORNATURE to try one out for you and give you a good review if deserved if you wanted to give me one to try. You can email me the details and I will give you my address and see what we can do for you.