Making a topo map?

[Scrubby rack buck]

I have a very basic outline of an area I am going to hunt next year.. what I would like to do is make a detailed map showing not only the border, but streets and topography.. is there something out there that I could use with out having to sit through an hour  seminar to be able to make a map.. Please understand my computer skills are very limited..Thank you..

Edited December 11, 2015 by Scrubby rack buck

[Haskell_Hunter]

Download Google Earth. I think it supports topo overlays, but I'm not 100% sure. But I do know that I can connect my GPS to it and have waypoints and tracks plopped into it. Helps when you scout and want to know where you saw what kind of marking. Carry a compass too so you can determine your heading or the way you are facing in the woods.

[Deerslayer21]

http://njgin.state.nj.us/oit/gis/NJ_TaxListSearch/       great site.     Also agree with Haskell_Hunter about using Google Earth. 

[mikejd]

Go to mytopo.com you can make a map of any area on earth. You can customize it as you need. You can add shading to terrain, you can have public land high lighted, you can actually do what is called a hybrid wich is topo contours over an Arial photo. Great sight and very fair priced.

[Matty]

This is one of the map sites I use for scouting. It allows you to change the base map using several other sites maps, like google, bing, etc... and you can add several layers of different opacity. It's free too. Don't think you can draw on it, but I have never tried that.

 

You could always make a map to your liking and then carefully draw lines on it in the paint program or by hand.

 

https://caltopo.com/map

 

 

 

When I hike an area that's tough to figure out on topo or aerial maps, I use an app on my phone called USGS topo or something like that. It allows me to track myself and save it. Might sound retarded but when I find something I like, I walk in a couple circles so I know where I was in the track. It matters if you're out covering a few miles or more. lol

[Haskell_Hunter]

Found this free topo for Google Earth:  http://www.earthpoint.us/TopoMap.aspx

 

Download the file, double-click it and it will open Google Earth (assuming you have it installed), and the topo layer will show.  Looks like this:
 

 

Edited December 11, 2015 by Haskell_Hunter

[Matty]

I don't know. I think I have you out-nerded this time haskell. lol

 

Caltopo can do that and more. You can customize a map with all kinds of layers or no layers, etc. I didn't add contour lines on this one, but it has fixed hill shading, water, 40' contours, and a satellite base map. Very easy to make. As you scroll around too it tells you the coordinates and elevation.

The nicest thing is you can adjust the opacity of the overlays to your liking. I usually keep them pretty light like the picture I added.

 

Check it out...it's very helpful. It's not the only one I use, but it's probably the most versatile.

 

[Matty]

By the way you can draw on it. 

 

Add new object....and you can make shapes or draw free hand.

[smoking gun]

Do you want me to draw lololol

[Haskell_Hunter]

I don't know. I think I have you out-nerded this time haskell. lol

 

 

 

Oh, I didn't know this was a competition!  

[Haskell_Hunter]

 

 

I'm not sure yours are better, Matty.  Mine have slick 3D going on.  Just compare your flat, 2D maps to my awesome 3D maps.

 

I think I can actually see the deer moving on my maps....

Edited December 12, 2015 by Haskell_Hunter

[Matty]

HH, you didn't look around enough. You can make the caltopo maps with shaded relief too. 

 

Here's a quick example. Obviously not a competition, lol, but I'm telling you, the caltopo site is pretty unlimited in what you can do with the maps. I still use all different map sites though for different views at different times of year, which ones are most updated for that area, etc....

 

I'm sure you would probably find even more uses than I do. I just use it a couple ways, don't really utilize all the features. Explore it and see what you think.

 

You can change the base map, add several layers, change opacity, etc.

 

 

 

 

[Haskell_Hunter]

I still can't see the deer in yours....

[Matty]

That's because there are no deer in that area. BUT.....If you look closely, you can see PAlawman30 turning in a zone 4 violator. Guy shot the last two deer in the area. 

[KBfishing]

I downloaded an app for my phone called back country navigator. It turns your smart phone into a gps. You have the ability to save waypoints, tracks, use topo maps, and aerial maps. I use it when i go out west too. You can download the maps of where you are hunting prior to going out there and it works great. If you are in an area where you get service there is no need to download the maps. Best 10 bucks i ever spent. Downloads to a new phone if you get an upgrade.