Whenever I have a land navigation question, I ask expert Blake Miller of OutdoorQuest. A common question when it comes to GPS systems is which is the best choice for the individual and which receiver is the best. Here is a post from Blake regarding the top 10 choices: Visit GPStracklog to find out what [...]

The North Star is a beacon that we can use to guide us in the backcountry. By Blake Miller Few hikers or backcountry travelers  use the celestial bodies in the night sky to navigate by.  But on a clear night, the night sky provides a feature that is an excellent source of direction.  It doesn’t [...]

I have no problem justifying spending money for hunting tags and fishing equipment.   But my wife thinks it crazy that I hesitate at the thought of purchasing an air ambulance service membership.   by Blake Miller I mean- how many extra shells and lures could I get for that same expense?  I argue that [...]

The Holiday Season is a great time to start looking for a new GPS. by Blake Miller Manufactures are offering discounts and coupons can be found on line. Search the internet for sales promotions and search the ads in the Sunday paper. I will occasionally use www.walmart.com to establish a price baseline. Keep in mind [...]

Even an experienced hiker will forget about gear that is carried in the field that potentially impacts a digital electronic compass. by Blake Miller  While teaching a community college class on land navigation, a student asked me what affects a GPS receiver’s electronic compass? This is a great question and offers an opportunity to assess [...]

Topographical maps have many parts, and if you’re going to use one effectively, understanding how the pieces fit together is really important. In this article, navigation expert and teacher Blake Miller discusses the map scale information, and makes some suggestions about what scale is best for your needs. By Blake Miller Dictionary.com defines map scale [...]

To many beginners, a topographical map is a mass of squiggles, lines, colors, graphs and confusion. Land navigation expert Blake Miller explains how to read the three norths diagram at the bottom of the map, and how to adjust your compass accordingly to use this information.

Use your GPS waypoints correctly to stay found in the wilderness. The people in my hunting group always use “AAA” as the universal waypoint designation of where the vehicle is parked. “Camp” is always where we are camping. A few correctly labeled and used waypoints goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe! – Leon [...]

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  Before heading out on  a backcountry trip, there are three important steps to accomplish before leaving home. by Blake Miller First, tell someone where you are going and when to expect your return. Second, leave a map of your planned route with that responsible person and in your vehicle. Third, fill out the trip [...]