GPS for Hunting: Is It Worth It?

GPS for Hunting: Is It Worth It?

There are a lot of unknowns when you go out on the hunt. Your location, communication, and data should not be part of this. The debate in hunting circles regarding GPS and other non-cell network options boils down to “Why should I use a GPS when my smartphone does the same job?”

This is a valid question, so we are going to explore what GPS systems and other cell phone alternatives bring to the table and why you should consider them.

 [dib_prod_6978]

GPS Overview

While they aren’t as new as it once was, Global Position Satellites have become a part of our daily existence in some instances. What has become even more prevalent is cell phones and cell phone towers.

With a variety of apps and other add-ons, cell phones get us from point A to point B consistently, sometimes even better than a GPS. So why would we forgo using the item we’d probably already have on use for something like a Garmin Foretrex or something similar?

It all comes down to layering your technology and realizing that it has its limits. Let’s look at some of the major benefits of a GPS separate from your cell phone.

Benefits

A standalone GPS or series of GPS devices can be used to supplement your cell phone when you are out on a hunt. Keep in mind most of these benefits are used as an alternative rather than a complete replacement.

Cell Network Independent

One of the major benefits of a GPS for hunting is being Cell Network independent. GPS and cellular networks do not cover all areas. There is some crossover but very often you will have an area that has cell reception and then no reception a few feet farther on.

Depending on where you are hunting, that few feet of no reception can become hundreds of feet or more. Using GPS satellites with your GPS can allow you to know your location and with the appropriate items, even maintain communications through the GPS’s network.

Some areas do restrict GPS and satellite communication for various reasons. But in the locations where they are not restricted they can be a very useful means of getting an emergency message out or simply finding your way back to your vehicle.

Swappable batteries

The next benefit of a GPS for hunting system is the ability to easily swap out your batteries when they drain. If you carry spare batteries, you can have your GPS up and running again in a matter of minutes.

When compared to the slower charging cycle of power banks and cell phones, you are wasting time getting your phone back into action when you could be moving, hunting, etc. 

Using cell networks for your location can also drain your phone’s battery very quickly. If you used a GPS instead, it would allow you to keep your phone charged for longer, buying you more time before your hunting either ends well or becomes a major incident.

Way point tracking

When you combine your GPS with a mapping software (available from a variety of sources) you can set way points on your GPS once it is connected to the satellite network. This allows you to know where you started and allows you to mark specific locations you have been in order to help you backtrack to where you need to be.

This is especially handy when hunting larger game like boars or other heavy animals. You can put a waypoint where the carcass is and then go get something to help with moving the animal, be that 4-wheeler, truck, etc.

The waypoint feature also allows you to mark your camp(s) and other places of interest you encounter.

Knowing Property Lines 

Depending on where you are hunting, knowing where the boundary line is between public and private land is important. You might have permission to hunt one parcel of land, but the areas around it may be off limits.

Using a GPS for hunting with the appropriate map bundle can help keep you on the land you can hunt, avoiding unnecessary legal and physical risk.

Durability/Convenience

Finally, GPS for hunting offers durability and convenience when compared to a cell phone. While there are modern protective cases for phones, a lot of GPS models tend to be ruggedized. They also tend to be small enough to wear on the wrist or strap to a pack.

Modern cell phones can be long and wide depending on the model. This makes a wrist-mountable GPS easier to use, since you don’t have to pull out your phone, cutting down on the chances of losing it while saving time.

Depending on your GPS, it is less of a hassle to use when you’re hunting because of where you can place it and the information it provides.

Downsides

Even though using GPS for hunting is a useful tool there are still downsides to using them. These downsides are more related to the maintenance than the use of GPS but they can still affect your decision.  

Specialty software

Some things, like the waypoint functions and a wide variety of topographical and other maps require you to have some specialty software. This usually is the onX Hunt app and can involve chips, DVDs, and other semi-technical electronic fiddling.

Compared to the ease of downloading an app from the app store which automatically sets up the system, this can be more of a hassle. Some GPS models are less “plug and play” than others. It will take more time to learn how the GPS works and its limitations, which can be done in the off season, but still takes time.

Specific Area Mapping

GPS devices do not keep all your maps in the device all at once. This takes up too much space, especially if you have multiple types of maps. This means you have to download the specific area you will be hunting in in order to have the GPS work for you.

Using a cell network allows your phone to have some access to the internet in order to update your current map set. The GPS does not have this luxury and needs a little extra forethought before using it.

Extra Things To Carry

GPS systems are another thing to carry. Combined with a satellite messaging device like the Garmin inReach Messenger, and you have more things to keep in your bag and potentially lose. Will they help? Yes, but you’ll still have to have spare batteries, a place to keep the devices, and the endurance to put up with those extra ounces of weight you may or may not use. 

Options and Final Thoughts

A GPS for hunting can be a lifeline when you’re out in a remote area. Even professional hunters and hikers can get lost. Having a means to verify your location or even to send a message for help can be the difference between life and death.

Items like the Garmin Montana 750i and the inReach Mini are good options to add to your hunting equipment. They both help you with your data in the field by allowing you to keep an eye on where you are and who is trying to reach you.

If you want to really dig down to the scientific layer of your hunts, GPS and satellite options are another method of tracking your information especially when combined with something like the Xero C1 Chrono. Data for shots combined with data for travel, elevation, and atmospherics can allow you to better know your hunting area, increasing the possibility of success.