Hey elknut1,

Pllluuuueeeaaasssseee.....invite me!!! I'd love to go elk hunting with ya! And if we decide we "might not find our way back to it"....let's just set up camp right there until we eat the whole dang thing! I'm about "done with" finding my way back to "civilization"!

Seriously though....I have unfortunately forgotten things before.....(seem to be doing it even more often lately).....so I make lists before I travel anymore. I just believe in redundancy in systems. Especially in something as important as navigation. I personally think the GPS is the biggest improvement in navigation in the last three or four centuries. It has made precision in navigation possible that wasn't even dreamed of before, (for all the reasons you've mentioned). And it improves all the time. (I just have this slight mistrust of anything that runs on batteries.....as my "only" system.) But I absolutely agree with you on its incredible utility...and again as I said earlier....would never choose to go without one!

My comments regarding choosing the map and compass....are only in regard to "keeping in the spirit" of the original question. If only one could be available. For all the tasks that the GPS does extremely well....none in essence are "more important" than enabling you to "find your way out". And for that "most critical" of all navigational tasks...your "tools" should be as fool proof as possible. Recovering your downed animal becomes unimportant....if you can't first find your way out!

So in summation....I think we both agree that the GPS is a far more capable tool than a compass. Or even a compass with a topo map. I think we both agree we'd never choose to "head out" without a GPS and spare batteries. I think we are in agreement that having the skills to use navigational tools are important. And I'd venture a guess that we both agree that having a topo map and compass along would go a long way towards insuring that we have "covered our bases" in case of unseen contingencies. So...in essence we are in agreement!

Dave

P.S. And I agree with you that I have seen terrain "so tough" that it is nearly impossible to find your way back to an exact spot in a timely manner...except by mere accident.