Mapping has been trending more and more toward online, digital and cloud-based. But I find that looking at maps on a screen tends to distort scale — it’s almost too easy to zoom from global view to a few square miles and fly past tons of details that can impact a trip. I have grown a bit averse to screen time, especially in the field. It feels detached from the task at hand.
Last season I ordered a custom printed map from MyTopo to help supplement my research of an area I planned to hunt. It was a pleasant change to not have to scroll or be connected to the World Wide Web in order to plan out a trip. Physically holding the map printed on water-proof paper and marking areas of interest made the trip seem more real and closer at hand.
With MyTopo you are able to choose between topographic, satellite imagery or a hybrid of both (my favorite). You can select from an array of sizes and scale to get the exact area and details you want. You can even include private property lines and public land boundaries. MyTopo will send you the map rolled or folded depending on the intended use.
If you want a detailed aerial view of the area around your home hunting grounds or just want to escape a screen to plan your next bird hunt, MyTopo can print and send you the exact map you need. Maps start around $50.
