I have been looking into buying these for my phone, but not sure if it is worth it. I have a powderhook app on my phone ( which is free ) and it seems to do most of what OnX does, with the notable exception of it does not display landowner names. Does anyone have any thoughts on this ?
OnX Maps
- Thread starter Bullcan
- Start date
SunnyInCO
Member
I have downloaded the app on my phone recently but have not paid for any subscriptions. In my opinion, if I am in the middle of a national forest with a couple hundred thousand acres surrounding me, I know who the one and only land owner is. If someone is in an area that is checkerboard of private/public, it would definitely make sense.
I did some scouting a couple of weeks ago and turned on the gps to track my steps using the onX app. Put the phone in the front pocket of my jeans and when I was back at the house to trace my steps, for some reason it did not work. Not sure if its my phone (Galaxy S7) or the app.
I did some scouting a couple of weeks ago and turned on the gps to track my steps using the onX app. Put the phone in the front pocket of my jeans and when I was back at the house to trace my steps, for some reason it did not work. Not sure if its my phone (Galaxy S7) or the app.
MtnBuck
Member
Joining the RMEF gets you the OnX subscription with one State plus the RMEF magazine which I really enjoy. There's probably a chart or something on the OnX website that shows what's included.
I need to try that tracking feature.
I need to try that tracking feature.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
For me it would come down to how much I trust the land status overlay. I know onXMaps is the leader in this land status overlay technology and is constantly updating their data. Two examples come to mind.
First example: A few years ago a guy I met was blacktail hunting in heavily public/private mixed land. He shot a deer then drug the deer several hundred yards to the road across "public" land. What he didn't realize is that there had been a land exchange and some private and public land were traded. What he actually did was drug his deer across celebrity's property who was anti-hunting/anti-gun. The celebrity tried to get him put up on charges for criminal trespassing (since he was carrying a firearm on her property). It is good to know your land status data is current.
Second example: This year I planned a hunt for nearly a year. In an area with a lot of private, I found a way to thread through public land into the area we wanted to hunt. My first morning out scouting I found a gate. Next to that gate was a "No Trespassing" sign on what my GPS clearly marked as BLM land. The gate was no where near private land (1/2 mile+). I marked the coordinate for that gate and instead went to another area that morning. Back at camp, I used my laptop with an overlay (most current and up to date) and found the gate was indeed clearly on public. I texted a local friend about that sign said and he said those guys were known to post public and to "trust" my GPS. I also had read on hunting forums that this particular No Trespassing sign had been used in the past on public land. Knowing I had the right to drive through that gate made our hunt successful. Had someone challenged me I would have had the confidence to show him my GPS and say "Let's get the sheriff and let him sort it out."
As I said, it really comes down to what you are willing to stake your hunt and even your future on. I can say if I had gotten a free app, I likely would never have crossed through a "No Trespassing" sign.
First example: A few years ago a guy I met was blacktail hunting in heavily public/private mixed land. He shot a deer then drug the deer several hundred yards to the road across "public" land. What he didn't realize is that there had been a land exchange and some private and public land were traded. What he actually did was drug his deer across celebrity's property who was anti-hunting/anti-gun. The celebrity tried to get him put up on charges for criminal trespassing (since he was carrying a firearm on her property). It is good to know your land status data is current.
Second example: This year I planned a hunt for nearly a year. In an area with a lot of private, I found a way to thread through public land into the area we wanted to hunt. My first morning out scouting I found a gate. Next to that gate was a "No Trespassing" sign on what my GPS clearly marked as BLM land. The gate was no where near private land (1/2 mile+). I marked the coordinate for that gate and instead went to another area that morning. Back at camp, I used my laptop with an overlay (most current and up to date) and found the gate was indeed clearly on public. I texted a local friend about that sign said and he said those guys were known to post public and to "trust" my GPS. I also had read on hunting forums that this particular No Trespassing sign had been used in the past on public land. Knowing I had the right to drive through that gate made our hunt successful. Had someone challenged me I would have had the confidence to show him my GPS and say "Let's get the sheriff and let him sort it out."
As I said, it really comes down to what you are willing to stake your hunt and even your future on. I can say if I had gotten a free app, I likely would never have crossed through a "No Trespassing" sign.
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badgerbob
Active Member
I know of a piece of private property, which for years was under the control of the state for hunter access. Last year the landowner took it out of the program. It still shows up on OnXmaps as hunters access. I guess it's like everything else we use, just part of the total picture. I have heard that in a dispute the State Police will honor what is on OnXmaps, I don't have any proff of this, only what I have heard. I have found places where fences are well on the BLM property and cases where the fence is well on the property owners side. I think it's pretty accurate as to the boundry, maybe we need to confirm the ownership prior to hunting there. I know I am a lot more confident with onX than without it.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
If the private property was removed from the hunter access program AFTER you chip was bought and installed, your chip won't show the change. You should have your chip updated at least annually.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
In WY both Deputies and Game dept leo's use the sd card. Same is true here in eastern OR. Here, if there is a dispute between the card/LEO and the property owner, which I have seen 2nd hand, the police will hold off on the citation until they check with the County. The incident I'm familiar with, either the LEO or the DA chose not to pursue after contacting to County, even though the OnX card was wrong. A call to Onx was met with a "not our problem, we use what they give us" response.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
The real problem is that lots of counties (where the main information comes from) are not timely with correcting the land owner maps for their county.
If I put my home address in my GPS as a destination, it come back "No such address". Several years ago the county changed the street identification where I live, but still have not changed the map. When I asked the county about it they said "You are still getting your mail right? We just havn't had time".
If I put my home address in my GPS as a destination, it come back "No such address". Several years ago the county changed the street identification where I live, but still have not changed the map. When I asked the county about it they said "You are still getting your mail right? We just havn't had time".
badgerbob
Active Member
I have it on my smart phone and it was my understanding it gets updated automatically. In any case I am better off with it than without it. I e-mailed onX, but got no reply. It is very accurate on property boundaries and that is what is most important to me. Pretty hard, I'm sure, to keep up on every change. Esp with all of the county they are covering. Like I said it's just another tool not the only one in the box.