How to read a map and compass

[GunGrey]

Does anyone in here know of any classes that teach map and compass use. I've already checked the masswildlife site and its has no updates. I understand its winter but thanks to prior dealings with masswildlife classes you need to book so far inadvance.

I have some dealing with reading topo maps from hunting and fishing. But I have no clue how to use a compass.

Also any links you guys can post are also welcome

 

[Jimmy2Times]

Get youself a copy of the US Army's FM 3-25.26, Map Reading and Land Navigation. It has everything you ever need to know about land navigation. Here it is online, but I recommend getting a hard copy:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-25-26/

 

[GunGrey]

Hey thanks, now im gonna go get the papers, get the papers

 

[TheWookie]

http://www.cibolasar.org/minilessons/nav_lesson/land_nav.shtml

http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/offices/sps/rotc/pdf/ms1/map-reading.pdf

http://usmc.cdt.ru/?action=articles&cat=Equipment&name=Lensatic Compass

http://www.enlisted.info/field-manuals/fm-21-26-map-reading-and-land-navigation.shtml

 

[Nicole]

The MassWildlife course dates are being finalized right now and should be announced soon. I will post here when they're released.

 

[Gonzo]

See if you can find an older edition Boy Scout Handbook. They've got some good solid introductory info in them. Couple it with the Army manual and you're GTG.

 

[chippinder]

Just Sayin'

http://www.goarmy.com/

http://www.nationalguard.com/

I KNOW they can teach a map reading course, Haha

 

[canislupy]

Amazon sells Army FMs for hard copy. You could of course also just print the PDF yourself as an alternative.

http://www.amazon.com/Manual-3-25-2...=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262631619&sr=8-9

 

[PaulD]

Not a direct answer but REI has free GPS courses where they teach you how to really use a handheld GPS in conjunction with a map. It overlaps with map reading quite a bit.

http://www.rei.com/stores/store_events.jsp?store=26

 

[harrihiker]

The NH hunter education course gives a really good overview, but if you are checking MASSwildlife that probably doesn't help you too much...

 

[oldsoldier29]

google "orienteering"-its a civilian version of compass courses. Some of the clubs even have classes for beginners.

 

[Knob Creek]

Consider trying Geocaching. It's a great way to use GPS and even Map and Compass if you want to go that way.

http://www.geocaching.com/

 

[Ziptar]

Good books on the subject.

"Be expert with map and compass; The "orienteering" handbook."
by Bjorn Kjellstrom
The author runs a website also http://www.learn-orienteering.org/

"The Essential Wilderness Navigator"
by David Seidman

 

[oldsoldier29]

Geocaching is great, and, I have heard of folks that do it with a map & compass-but, you need to have already developed those skills. The activity is an awesome one-I myself am a cacher-but you need some pretty advanced map reading skills to jump right into that activity (of course, with a GPS, you just need be understand how to use the GPS...). Orienteering courses will give you the basics, and allow you to practice them on their courses. Some towns even offer local classes on it, for hunters & the like. I know Templeton MA used to, not sure if they still do or not. Hell, if you live relatively close to me, I can teach you

 

[goofycj7]

Join a scout troop as a volunteer leader. You will learn about Map and compass, pacing, distance estimation, much more then you are asking for.