Hunting Apps for Public Land

[G8tor]

There's been a couple of these threads years back and I'm just curious what everyone is using/ recommends. I did a hunt last year at a state park in VA and they recommended an app that had a nice map of the boundaries of the park. App was called Avenza I think. I've tried to find similar maps on this app for public land in MD and no dice. So what are you using that has good maps of public hunting land in MD, specifically with the boundaries marked? Thanks.

 

[Harrys]

There's been a couple of these threads years back and I'm just curious what everyone is using/ recommends. I did a hunt last year at a state park in VA and they recommended an app that had a nice map of the boundaries of the park. App was called Avenza I think. I've tried to find similar maps on this app for public land in MD and no dice. So what are you using that has good maps of public hunting land in MD, specifically with the boundaries marked? Thanks.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trailbehind.android.gaiagps.pro&hl=en_US

 

[G8tor]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trailbehind.android.gaiagps.pro&hl=en_US

Does this show the boundaries for NRMAs and WMAs?

 

[OneGunTex]

OnX is the big one, really good for public/private land boundaries and property owners if you're trying to get permission.

I'll be honest, it's better out West where there is more open country and long distances and terrain features, everything over here is just condensed more.

I used Avenza at Blackwater one year. It sucks, essentially just plot your location on a paper map. No dynamic/terrain/sat maps

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Park ranger]

For Maryland, use Merlin. On line and free.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Merlin sucks for the most part and is dead wrong in very many locations for establishing ownership and boundaries.
Same thing with those apps in a lot of jurisdictions.
DNR CFL land maps same thing.
Just because an app, or map shows a line, dont count on it for accuracy.

 

[Fredcohunter]

I use OnX hunt and also toyed a bit with Basemap. I probably like Basemap a little better

 

[wilcam47]

Merlin sucks for the most part and is dead wrong in very many locations for establishing ownership and boundaries.
Same thing with those apps in a lot of jurisdictions.
DNR CFL land maps same thing.
Just because an app, or map shows a line, dont count on it for accuracy.

This, i had onyx hunting app for about 1hr, i tried to survey my land and it was way off and was skipping around, id move 5' and it said i moved 50yds. Was very worthless app where i am.

 

[Park ranger]

Merlin sucks for the most part and is dead wrong in very many locations for establishing ownership and boundaries.
Same thing with those apps in a lot of jurisdictions.
DNR CFL land maps same thing.
Just because an app, or map shows a line, dont count on it for accuracy.

Garage in garbage out. Its the county base layers. Depends on the county GIS

 

[Park ranger]

This, i had onyx hunting app for about 1hr, i tried to survey my land and it was way off and was skipping around, id move 5' and it said i moved 50yds. Was very worthless app where i am.

Thats not the app, its your GPS in your phone. Could be the SNR, Pdop, or poor geometry

 

[308Scout]

Merlin sucks for the most part and is dead wrong in very many locations for establishing ownership and boundaries.
Same thing with those apps in a lot of jurisdictions.
DNR CFL land maps same thing.
Just because an app, or map shows a line, dont count on it for accuracy.

This. I would exercise extra caution using it to establish separation between public and private land in particular. Merlin uses tax map parcel boundaries. These can be considerably off and are not actually based on survey data, IIRC. All of the properties along my road are considerably off both in their shapes and boundary locations. According to the Merlin map, my house and out buildings are about 200 yards outside my property and on state land. The property survey obviously shows something quite different from Merlin.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Garage in garbage out. Its the county base layers. Depends on the county GIS

Yes, garbage- I agree.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Topo Map and Silva compass ?

 

[SummitCnty]

OnX or Basemap.

 

[Slackdaddy]

Yes, those apps are useful out west where you are dealing with LARGE parcels, and 50-100 yards off is no big deal.

In MD, when you are on smaller public parcels and hunting near a boundary with private,, 100 yards off causes problems.
The boundary data is routinely 20, 40, 100 yards off .

OnX is the big one, really good for public/private land boundaries and property owners if you're trying to get permission.

I'll be honest, it's better out West where there is more open country and long distances and terrain features, everything over here is just condensed more.

I used Avenza at Blackwater one year. It sucks, essentially just plot your location on a paper map. No dynamic/terrain/sat maps

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

 

[StantonCree]

Another OnX guy

I have an account and have it logged in on 3 guys phones. When we are back water duck hunting and not together we mark our locations on it. This lets the other guys know exactly where they are for safety.

Getting to the spots we hunt requires a mud motor or a 50 yard hump through the frag. My buddy is a hardcore Sitka hunter and often kayaks a mile or two solo. Safety first!

Don’t tell OnX

 

[Park ranger]

I don't understand what the big deal about being 20, 40 + yards off? Learn how property lines are marked, especially public lands, then use field evidence. Your not surviving a line with these tools.

 

[SummitCnty]

I don't understand what the big deal about being 20, 40 + yards off? Learn how property lines are marked, especially public lands, then use field evidence. Your not surviving a line with these tools.

Agree with this. I’ve actually found the lines and corners on the app to be very accurate for my use.

 

[Doco Overboard]

I don't understand what the big deal about being 20, 40 + yards off? Learn how property lines are marked, especially public lands, then use field evidence. Your not surviving a line with these tools.

Because 40 yards over 2100' adds up.
It's not always hunters who look/use these apps that is part of the problem.

 

[Pale Ryder]

Huntstand, and OnX. Presently all my hunting is on public land in state parks and forests. They usually have decent paper maps for free, pick up a couple of them.