Using free mapping resources – Part 2

In part one we took some time to explore the JDMCOX software and how you could use it to map scout an area.

In this tutorial we will look at the CDOW interactive mapping software located at (http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/GMUnitMaps.htm).

This is not what you would call a high end mapping solution, but it is very good at providing some general planning data.

During the course of this tutorial we will look at Elk Summer range data, and how to overlay some private property information on the map.

Browse to the website listed above and select area 36 from the drop down box. Then click “MapIt!

The next screen you will see is a very high level map without any detail.

We will be using the zoom in/out buttons, Pan, Big Game overlay, and Layer list to populate our map.

First off lets zoom in and pan until we get back to the Sheephorn Creek area. It is located just a bit north east of the number “36”.  Click on the “36” to zoom in.

Next lets center Slough Grass Lake on our screen by selecting the pan button.

Place your mouse over the lake, click and hold the left mouse button, dragging the map in the whatever direction you want to move the lake. The map will refresh when you release the mouse button.

Great. Now its time to add the elk summer range overlay. Be forewarned, this will cause your map to zoom all the way back out, but you should not have a problem getting back to this point.

Click the Big Game overlay button in the upper right hand corner of your map. This will open another page. Once there, click on American Elk Summer Activity Areas.

The map will refresh, but now with some good information.

You can click on the “Legend” Button in the lower right hand corner to see what all the lines mean.

Now zoom back in to Slough Grass Lake (The map calls it a reservoir, maybe for mosquitoes, it’s a swamp).

As you can see this is a production area, as well as a summer concentration area. CDOW and the FS keep the gate closed until mid June to protect the animals.

I actually hunted up there for three years, but found that the animals would dive to the local private property as soon as the season opens.

Here is how you can use another layer to see where the property lines are.

Scroll the layer list bar down until you see the “Land Manager (CoMaP V5) box. Select this box, and then refresh the map by clicking “Refresh Map” in the lower right hand corner.

NOTE: You’ll probably want to deselect the American Elk boxes to make the next screen shot a bit cleaner.

The white areas in the following screen shot indicate where the private property is. Just a quick note about this, you will loose this level of detail if you zoom in to close. Simply select the zoom out (“-“ button).

CoMaP is not just limited to private property. You can see BLM, State, and other land ownership. Please refer to the legend for more information. An example is just a bit to the northeast, where there is some BLM land (Zoom out, then drag the map down and to the left).

Not the greatest detail, but at least you can get a high level look at the area without spending a ton of money on maps or map software.

I normally use these two resources along with National Geographic Topo! 4.0 to map out my areas.  Normally I print the topo map out on one side of waterproof paper, with the corresponding photo on the other. The 8 x 11 sheet of paper folds up nicely to fit into my pocket, and it normally lasts for more than one season. Another option, if you don't want to purchase mapping software, and waterproof paper, is to use MyTopo.com. Purchasing your maps through them helps pay to keep this site online.

Please post any questions you may have on our forum. We have a special topic that discusses opensource/free mapping programs.

Our third tutorial discusses how to find saddles, water holes, and bedding area's using these applications.

We hope this tutorial has been helpful.
Good luck.