Ah, gentlemen you've hit a topic near to my heart!
We use the Topo! program which is owned by Maps Illustrated and National Geographic. Last I looked the price was $99 per state (at least for Colorado). If you get the "data cable" for your GPS then you have the best of both worlds on a number of counts.
First, even if you have never been to an area you are going to scout you can mark the spots (called "waypoints"
on the computer map and down load them into your GPS and track your way to these waypoints even though you have never set foot in those woods. Better yet you can connect the waypoints with a "route" and do a "trekking profile" to see how much vertical gain and loss you've signed up for before you even leave home.
Second, when you actually explore an area you can set a waypoint every quarter mile or so and then when you get back you can see on the computer map where you actually went versus where you thought you went. (Note: mark every elk carcass you come to if you want to get an idea of the kill zones.) We take a notebook computer to elk camp and then our different groups can share information each evening without using the usual directional generalities, guesstimates of distance, and hand gestures.
Third, the best hunting is always at the intersection of 4 preprinted maps. With the computer maps you can center the map where you want it versus your hunting. Your waypoints and routes and names will all show on the printed map. Consider printing the maps out on high resolution black and white laser. It works better than most color printers at showing the 3D shading that makes the topo visually "come up off the paper." Then take your map and seal it in either a GLAD storage bag or seal it with a "Food Saver" vacuum system for protection against the elements.
Fourth, I've had several "compass and map ONLY" hunters who have converted over to carrying BOTH compass/map AND GPS. I would recommend this.
Fifth, there are $90 to $140 GPS's available that work just great. For $400 you can get the "wonder GPS" with all the maps and Dairy Queens and Hotels and God only knows what else built into them. However, last I heard for elk hunting you are usually out in the boondocks and those are NOT the landmarks you are looking for. Go cheap, three cheap GPS's in your group beats one "wonder GPS."
Sixth, US military figured out the value of GPS a long time ago - - same advantages apply to hunting. Storm reducing the horizon to 100 feet? Pitch black outside and hiking to your morning "stand"? Which tree did you hang those elk quarters in? Where did you drop that pack? With a GPS you can be fearless on all these counts and once you really, really learn your area you'll need it less and less, but still a great back up. Low on weight and high on benefit. Can it fail, of course - - what can't? One more reason for multiple cheap ones versus one "wonder GPS."
I know it "ain't" traditional, but I'll take the military's approach and last I heard you can't shoot an elk with a GPS.
EKM
Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!
Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/04/2003 00:35:51