Thread: Navigation with compass and map

Sorry guy's I cant seem to find a thread on this!. I'm really wanting too learn how to navigate with compass and map. I've looked into courses and such and YouTube (confusing to be honest), but I was hoping to tap into the community here. In saying that if I have to do one these courses I will!. So any recommendations on a course would also be good!!! I'm not looking to buy a GPS because I simply cant afford one in near future, and I dont want that to stop me from learning how too hunt.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!

Cheers anyway boys!

Myk

Is there an Army Cadet or Orienteering club near you?

These guys should be able to show you how to read a map, use a compass and fix your position on said map with said compass.

This is pretty easy to understand
How to use a Compass - Compass and Map interaction


Cheers
Pete

Thanks Pete! I will definitely look into that!!! I didn't really think of that to be honest.

Just had a look at your link...stoked!!!

Again thanks bro

@Myk, practise makes perfect....

Take a map and compass when you go for short walks. Take bearings off known landmarks, triangulate your position. Try to identify your position by identifying terrain features on the map against what your see in real life.

Mountain Safety Council runs bushcraft courses, but the nav section is pretty basic and depends on the instructor.

@Myk

Forgot to mention get yourself a Silva compass.

They will make it easier for you as they are the easiest compasses to use.

This is a good video to study.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O8DmkAC2wI


Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

@Myk

Forgot to mention get yourself a Silva compass.

They will make it easier for you as they are the easiest compasses to use.

This is a good video to study.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O8DmkAC2wI


Cheers
Pete

Hi Pete,
The video you linked to is missing vital instructions on how to convert between grid and magnetic bearings. The maps used in the video appear to have meridians that point to magnetic north.
Our LINZ Topo50 maps have vertical grid lines that point to grid north. There's about 20° difference (depends which part of the country you're looking at)

Cheers,
Mike

Originally Posted by ebf

@Myk, practise makes perfect....

Take a map and compass when you go for short walks. Take bearings off known landmarks, triangulate your position. Try to identify your position by identifying terrain features on the map against what your see in real life.

Mountain Safety Council runs bushcraft courses, but the nav section is pretty basic and depends on the instructor.

Mountain Safety doesn't run courses anymore, they sacked all their instructors.

Originally Posted by stug

Mountain Safety doesn't run courses anymore, they sacked all their instructors.

The firearms license safety course only or all courses @stug ?

Originally Posted by ebf

The firearms license safety course only or all courses @stug ?

Firearms safety course is still happening, it was the firearms people and the technical committee they let go. All the other instructors and courses are now gone. Head office felt they weren't reaching enough people. So one of their ideas is to get people to stand at track ends and hand out pamphlets, I kid you not!
They will end up being like Water Safety NZ, someone to go to for a sound bite, but not actively involved in teaching people.

Originally Posted by ebf

@Myk, practise makes perfect....

Take a map and compass when you go for short walks. Take bearings off known landmarks, triangulate your position. Try to identify your position by identifying terrain features on the map against what your see in real life..

Self taught lessons like this will always be the best learnt and remembered... nothing beats actual experience...
1)Get a reasonable compass not big and heavy because you need to carry it.
2) Understand how magnetic fields from steel.. like your rifle will affect compass headings... so you do not fall into that trap
3) Understand declination or variation... the difference between True and Magnetic north... NZ varies between 18 and 25 degrees.
4) Go play in an area you are familiar with... you will soon pick up the skills.

Early in my bush whacking days I got fogged in on the Kelly range tops... walked round in circles and got lost.... ever since I have always carried a compass and have had many occasions when I have really needed it to get out of trouble.

@Myk

Forgot to mention get yourself a Silva compass.

They will make it easier for you as they are the easiest compasses to use.

I'd be happy to show you if you were closer.

Maybe someone in the Tauranga Deerstalkers would be happy to teach you too.

Cheers
Pete

OBOP Home

@Myk
If you Google Linz/using map and compass, you should get a link to a very easy to use PDF file.
I would put it here directly but can't work out how to copy the file, sorry.

Top of the list

https://www.google.com.au/?gfe_rd=cr...ap+and+compass

Cheers
Pete