Guide School & Packer Training - Hunting, Fishing & Camp Cook School

A Guide School Student's Journal

Map and compass course. Started with a video(powered by a generator), then worked through a 7 page worksheet on using a compass and reading topography maps. First we took some bearings and triangulations around camp. Then we drove to a mountain several miles from camp and took some bearings toward some elk wallows that, according to the map, were 3 miles away. It was a cool feeling when we hit them dead-on.

We also covered GPS use which included marking and finding way points plus using the UTM system to find and plot way points from a map and enter into our GPS's. Cody stresses the importance of being efficient with a map, compass and GPS for the safety of our clients as well as ourselves. I also realize now that there will be a lot of hiking and riding in the dark to get to prime hunting spots before daylight and to stay there until dark. I have to say that I feel more comfortable that I wont' get myself or my clients lost and I'll be more apt to check out new hunting territory.