Moss? Thickest ont the north side? Not true...Tree tops bend in the direction the wind blows them...Hated to blow yer bubble on these old tales, whittling, but I really don't want you go get lost because of them...A map is O K. Just add a compass to it. Doesn't have to be an expensive one as they all point magnetic north. Learn to use them and learn to use prominent land marks as Elvis stated for a return course.

Bushy,

It sounds like you just use instinct! Oh, wait a minute; this isn't the personal hygiene forum!

Cary

Pretty much. I've spent a lot of my life in the mountains and deserts. I do know how to plot a course on land and sea. And run that course with the compass and chart.

Cary... Read my first post on this thread on page one...

I've never used a compass, a GPS and very seldom a map. Got lost in the bush once, when I was 9, started to freak out and then made myself calm down and found my own way home. It's never happened since.

Moss like The Ol'Wise one said shouldnt be depended on.

Dimitri

WOO HOO....now here comes a can of worms....who's gonna open then up?

Hey ya Whittlin' old mate....I'm down in Australia (SOUTHERN Hemisphere)... does that moss thing and the tops of the pine trees apply to me too mate?

Sorry, couldn't help myself...had to open that there can 'o worms myself.

Cheers, Vince

Oh Whittle Boy,

Listen to Bushy.
Go into the woods and look where the moss is around the trees, then you can tell Bushy that he is correct on this one.

I use a topo map, and a compass while in the woods.
Back in "the day" while running brush cat for survey lines, I used to walk and do grid work, which is finding survey markers from point to point.
With a compass and map, I could come close enough to the IP's to find them with a metal detector.

I hate to admit it, but I never have used a GPS, and I have determined that next years Firearms Safety Class that I will teach will get one full evening of compass and map reading by me.

People have come to rely too much on electronics to navigate, and sometimes it gets them in trouble.

Eric

Topo map and reliable compass...only way to go. But before you venture out into the woods...LEARN TO USE THEM PROPERLY !!!

Its all well and good to carry the right gear, but if you do not know how to use them then you are kidding yourself...a bit like peein' into the wind.

Elvis makes a good point too. Very few people can walk to the exact point on the ground, especially when you take into account the age of your map and the magnetic variation. Aiming off to an obvious landmark...I prefer a natural landmark rather than a man made one...will allow you to get yourself back on track easily. You may have to do a little more walking, but you will get home safely.

I really cannot stress enough the value of navigation lessons. A good topographical map is not only something you can follow to get from Point A to Point B and back again. It is a total story book of the ground you are going to cover. The contour lines tell you the type of ground in front of you, you can even convert that horizontal picture into a vertical one if you want a better idea of the lie of the land. It shows all of the natural features like hills, vegetation, creeks, rivers, waterholes etc, also man made features like tracks, roads, building, dams windmills, etc.

When I am venturing into unknown territory and intend to travel some distance, I always write up a Navigation Data Sheet showing Grid to Grid points, Magnetic Bearing, distance, "Going", major landmarks to cross, estimated # of paces and approx time to travel between the two points. If you want to get real paranoid you can also record a "back bearing" to a known point or landmark to get you back on track or out of trouble.

I know, that seems an awful lot of work for a simple stroll through the scrub, but its better to be safe than sorry. Also, bear in mind I learnt to navigate as an infantry soldier, where being a couple of degrees off at the start could put you hundreds of metres out after a few kilometres of walking/patrolling..and right into the middle of a minefield or the enemy camp.

I could rattle on for hours about this subject, but I'd only end up boring you to death....take my advice and head out and get some good navigation training if you need it. We want ya to come back here and tell us all about your trip and post ya pics of that monster 597" 38 x 62 point buck you shot.

Cheers, Vince

No matter where you are - Moss only grows on the shady side of trees.
In my neck of the woods that is on ALL sides of the tree. The trees are so thick that you have trouble going cross country. And the underbrush is even thicker.
Once you get over on the East side of the state you can get sunshine on the south side of the trees so the moss tends to grow much better on the North side (South side for you "Underlings") of the trees. It still is not a reliable way to tell the direction. Use the sun if it is visible, a compass if it isn't and a GPS if you don't know how to use a compass or a watch and the sun.

Hello guys.. this is Gelan.. forgot my password so I sorta register a new ID while AFK.

Just want to add a few of my spare coins..

In "not so thick" type of bush far away from equator, yes moss sometimes grow thicker away from the sun.
In Indonesia where I grew up, you definitely cannot rely on this system due to the fact that moss grew everywhere under the canopy.

GPS facts: Ok.. for some GPS is a great tool.. I admit I have been relying on GPS for the last few years. They can bring you back to exact spot long after you depart it.
BUT ...
Most GPS does not work under heavy clouds or when you are under thick canopy.
You cannot use a GPS that could not receive any satelite signal.
Also battery, humidity, lcd cracks when subjected to shocks etc

In heavy storm, or under thick cloud or fog or int he night without stars you cant see the sun or stars either so the sun system is not always reliable.

OTOH A compas almost always works regardless of the weather. The only time I have problem with compass is when I was in the peninsula on the tip of West Java where the concentration of iron in the soil is very high.. compasses (cheap ones) sot confused there.

I stick on cheap $2 compasses on the butt of the pistol grips of my rifles. That way I will never forget to carry one.

So there..
Ah.. I am going home tonight.. tomorrow morning I'll be in the great land of Oz..
No more beer for a week