Good map resources

Hi,
For those of us without access to private land for hunting, online map tools are a great resource to help identify areas you may want to scout.

I suppose most folks here know about the Backroads Map Book... but for those who don't, you may want to check it out.

They have an online tool where you can view topo maps of Canada. You can select from a wide variety of layers to show on the map, including Crown Land. I've started using this to identify public land I can hunt, as it is easier to use than the Crown Land Atlas. The Atlas is still useful however, as the Backroads Map Book online tool does not show details about permitted uses on crown land parcels.

The BRMB online tool also lets you select a custom area to print out as a map. You can select from 3 different scales. However, these maps don't come cheap - $50 each for a folding waterproof map - and a $10 shipping charge to boot. Also be aware that to use the BRMB online tool, a paid account is required. At $3.50/month, or $35/year, I think it's worthwhile. There is also a free, 7 day trial.

The other online tool worth mentioning is the one provided by World of Maps - a local Ottawa map shop. There you can create custom topo maps based on data from NTS and MapSherpa. The BRMB maps have more details, such as established backcountry camping sites, that the NTS maps lack. However, the NTS maps are a bit cheaper, starting at about $27 for a plain paper (17" x 22") folded map.

Both the BRMB and the World of Maps websites also sell stock maps from NTS and backroads Map Book - the geographic areas are pre-defined, and these maps are cheaper than the custom maps.

Here are links to the sites I mentioned:
Backroads Map Book
World of Maps
Crown Land Atlas

Cheers,
Neil

If you pay $35/year anyway, you might as well use i-hunter Ontario. It's only a bit more expensive to include the Crown land layer, but it is very good, with lots of details related to hunting.

X2 on Ihunter.

I am a big fan. They have all the basic features of mapping app (including tracking, navigation, custom map overlays, distance measure) and bunch of things on top hunting seasons, wind, weather, county huntable tracts(not just crownlands) web portal of digital scouting at home etc..

and as this year release, they have logging road,s layer which puts them in direct competition with brbm.

Thank you for sharing this other info though, I never looked into world of maps... Will do some more digging on it

Hi,
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm generally a bit shy about using phone apps, but I'll check out i-Hunter.

Cheers,
Neil

I use iHunter also, its very good for knowing if you are public land when approached by locals claiming otherwise: "this is private property and I have sole permission to hunt this land", hmmmm, no its not and here is our location on the map to prove it.

There’s free online mapping such as the mnrf’s “Make a Map” that has a topo layer or imagery layer. It will also show assessment boundaries. https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov....M&locale=en-CA

The MNRF also has a forest management website that allows you to get maps of planned harvest areas. This is an excellent tool for moose hunters. It can be a bit difficult to navigate, but if you want help send me a pm and I’ll walk you through it. http://https://nrip.mnr.gov.on.ca/s/fmp-online?language=en_US

I've tried a few mapping apps but for the most part I go back to the government make a map website Sam linked above, it also has tracking features if you use it on your phone in the bush. I used it to find my property corners so it's accurate within a few feet anyway. I did notice it wouldn't load for a couple of days while I was hunting though.

I downloaded the app for BRMB to try it out. I do have a couple of the old map books and a waterproof map I carry in my ATV.

Sam I clicked on the lioapplication click and it looks good. Is there and app for the phone for this MNR site?

Thanks for mentioning this, Sam. I checked it out and it really is a nice tool. I'll put it into my "maps kit bag". I still prefer the BRMB or World of Maps maps, but still, the MNRF one is good too.

Cheers,
Neil

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marker

I use iHunter also, its very good for knowing if you are public land when approached by locals claiming otherwise: "this is private property and I have sole permission to hunt this land", hmmmm, no its not and here is our location on the map to prove it.

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Hi,
I tried iHunter. It's convenient to have all the info in one place, but just for the fact it's a phone app, it's not quite for me. I like to have printed copies of my maps with me.

Cheers,
Neil

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sabmgb

Sam I clicked on the lioapplication click and it looks good. Is there and app for the phone for this MNR site?

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I’m not aware of an app… we’re talking about the gov lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

There’s free online mapping such as the mnrf’s “Make a Map” that has a topo layer or imagery layer. It will also show assessment boundaries. https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov....M&locale=en-CA

The MNRF also has a forest management website that allows you to get maps of planned harvest areas. This is an excellent tool for moose hunters. It can be a bit difficult to navigate, but if you want help send me a pm and I’ll walk you through it. http://https://nrip.mnr.gov.on.ca/s/fmp-online?language=en_US

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by sabmgb

Sam I clicked on the lioapplication click and it looks good. Is there and app for the phone for this MNR site?

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I don't think there is. The manual that describes how to use the site is located here:

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/...gin=BROWSELINK

I skimmed it and did not see any mention of an app.

For a definite answer send an email to [email protected] and inquire.

I have been using the site for several years now and the imagery seems to get updated pretty regularly. Prior to that i had all the topo maps on a set of CDs before they were online and prior to that i used to just visit the bricks and mortar archives and dig out the stereo air photo pairs that were used to create the provincial 1:10,000 base topo maps and the also the pairs that were used to create the NTS 1:50,000 federal topo maps. Had to be careful though as the in the days prior to satellite images some of those pairs were taken in the 1930s so the info could be pretty dated.

Another item to note is the Crown Land Atlas maps for Ontario are generated from the same database as the "Make a Map" site so the assessment boundaries should be identical. Same database is also used to generate the "Fish On-line" mapping for Ontario.

ok, thanks guys for your efforts. Just would have been nice to know property lines while in the field.

Crown Land Use Atlas gets populated from input from MPAC among other sources.
It is often flawed- as we found out, since our land was listed as ' crown "

Township offices are a great resource.
Parry Sound for example, has the WPSGN, which identifies property specifics.
It also has an interactive map that declares gps boundaries.

Hopefully the area your desire to hunt in has a similar regional website