Cell Reception

[mustang8]

Going to Wyoming in Oct for Mule deer. Plan to hunt from the south side of the Big Horns south towards Kaycee. Anyone have any insight as far as how reliable cell reception could be throughout that area? Debating on using my cell with gohunt or if I have to buy a new GPS and go the Onx maps route. Any help would be great. My carrier is US Cellular. Thanks. Luke

 

[go_deep]

You can't go far from the interstate without losing service in most of Wyoming, unless you have Union Wireless.
I've never heard of US Cellular, so I'd bet on no, your not going to have very good service.

 

[JimP]

The what that I look at cell coverage when I am hunting is that I never depend on it. If I have coverage then all is fine, if I don't have coverage I don't care. Sometimes if you can get high enough with a clear path to a town you might have some spotty coverage but don't depend on it.

 

[RANGER619]

I have had very spotty service in the Bighorns both times I have been there. I have Verizon. If you stand on just the right spot, on just the right rock, on top of the right hill type of deal.

 

[IowaBuck]

You won't have data west of North Platte that's any good. I don't believe I had cell service over there, but I can't remember. I have US Cellular as well.

 

[GOSHENGRUNTER]

Just got back from there. had decent service with Verizon....but thats it. My work phones (Sprint, US Cell) had zero reception. good luck. Found some really good deer for region y! can't wait for the opener

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I use an older version of the amplifier pictured in the link below. It helps a lot. It will boost a poor signal, but it can't boost no signal.

https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/weboost-drive-4g-m-cell-phone-signal-booster-kit-470108/

 

[mustang8]

Yeah and after reading the Onx reviews it sounds like since they did some update that is a useless tool also.

 

[wy-tex]

Verizon is the carrier in Wyoming with service almost all over the state.

 

[buckbull]

If you are just worried about running onXmaps on your phone then cell service is not required; it uses the GPS feature on your phone which is available anywhere.

 

[huntabsarokee]

Yeah you can still use onx on your phone you just need to download the maps to your phone at home while you have service or wifi. Then you don't need service to use your phone GPS.

I do worry though that my phone maps won't show up when I get to my spot so I still prefer and old fashion GPS. This year I will be running the new Garmin Inreach explorer so I can also text home where ever I am.

 

[mnhoundman]

Yeah you can still use onx on your phone you just need to download the maps to your phone at home while you have service or wifi. Then you don't need service to use your phone GPS.

I do worry though that my phone maps won't show up when I get to my spot so I still prefer and old fashion GPS. This year I will be running the new Garmin Inreach explorer so I can also text home where ever I am.

I tried doing the cache the maps thing a couple years ago, and it didn't work for me. I didn't have service and they wouldn't come up, so I couldn't use it. Could have been user error though, but be damned if I could get it to work.
We also had the chip though, luckily or we might still be in the mountains! Lol!

 

[elkmo41]

Are cell towers on Casper mountain? I assume they are and the Muddy mountain HMA area will have decent reception...anyone know?

thanks

 

[ithunter]

I have had very spotty service in the Bighorns both times I have been there. I have Verizon. If you stand on just the right spot, on just the right rock, on top of the right hill type of deal.

Dont for get to look toward a "large down" while you are doing those things...

Honestly using verizion i have gotten way better coverage than expected...hasn't been an issue on any hunt so far...the wife and work have all been able to contact me. Texting is more reliable though.

If you are worried about GPS maps get the chip...battery life is much better...save the phone for when or if you need it.

 

[tim]

funny, you guys are worried about cell phone coverage in your hunting area. I still have a land line at the house. Cell coverage sucks at home and I am with Verizon in Idaho.

 

[JimP]

Some people can't live without their cell phones.

I love it when I go somewhere that there is no reception and watch those that live on them go berserk trying to find a location that they will work in.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I purchased the OnXMap for my cell. I am planning on no reception. I saved the entire antelope area. I had to as I have never been there before. I figure I might not have a chance to save anything after we get there. I found it pretty easy to operate being I am not very technical minded. I am good on paper maps with navigation, but worried about hunting close to property lines.
With the off line maps is the location ID pretty good? Is it good enough if confronted by an outfitter to prove you are on public land?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

funny, you guys are worried about cell phone coverage in your hunting area. I still have a land line at the house. Cell coverage sucks at home and I am with Verizon in Idaho.

I too still have a land line at home and my cell is a "dumb" phone. Not connected to internet, no texts and I don't use the camera in it....it is just a phone!

I finally got my gps (have several chips for it)set up with a tablet so I can transfer the image to a larger screen for easier viewing. It is a little heavy and bigger than I really wanted, but works great. No need for anything else now.