Compass?

[StruttinGobbler3]

Does anyone here carry a compass while turkey hunting? Just for general navigation, setting a line on a gobbling bird to move to him or keep track of him while moving around him, etc. If so, what brands do you recommend? Thanks

[Greg Massey]

I use the one on my iphone a lot and carry one of those extra charging sticks in my pack. Those charging sticks are great and will recharge you phone several times. I should of said i do have one of the old school compass in my pack if the iphone fails. A compass is just important as a first aid kit, knife, bottle water, couple snack bar's or peanut butter crackers and your gun, shells and calls etc..don't forget paper also..

[Bill Cooksey]

Always carry one, and I use it every day for every reason you mentioned. It's helped me kill more birds (even on property I know very well), and it's helped me get in and out of some places I didn't know at all.

Did have one go haywire one day in a huge expanse of woods I'd never been in before. It was a cloudy day, and when I realized it was taking me in circles, I started lining up trees and walking to them to at least go in a straight line. I knew no matter which direction I went (as long as it was straight) I'd come out somewhere I could get my bearings. I was parked in the SW corner of the woods, and there was a highway on the eastern side. Once I got where I could hear the hum of traffic, I was able to turn and use the same method to get back to my truck. I've gotten temporarily turned around while duck hunting in big flooded woods, but that's the only time I've ever been "lost" in dry woods. Never was worried because I knew I'd get out, but it sucked having to walk almost four extra miles.

[silvestris]

Never go without a map and a real compass.  Technology can fail.  I have been carrying a Brunton for over 20 years.  The distance markings are worn off as well as the distance markings.
And the model number.

[TRG3]

For turkey hunting, no; however, I started carrying a compass years ago when I lived in Southeast Alaska and had walked over three hours in the woods with another hunter. When we got ready to return, neither of us agreed on the direction and had to wait until an airplane came over that headed toward the village in which we both lived in order to get our bearings. Fast forward 50 years later, I now live in Illinois, and I especially have one during deer season since tracking a hit deer after dark can become confusing, even in areas in which you are familiar.

[crow]

I carry a couple of "Silva" compasses with me

there is a place in western Md. I hunt where I have had the haywire experience happen regularly in this one area, not sure if there is iron ore in the ground or what, the second compass does the same in this place

Have used the Silva's from Tn to Maine and never a problem anywhere else

[J-Shaped]

Yes, for all of the reasons mentioned. I carry a flat Silva one that I can lay over a map if needed. Never have to worry about a battery going dead either.

[tha bugman]

Yes sir!  Batteries die. That ever pointing needle never does


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[ilbucksndux]

I have one in my duck bag,deer pack and turkey vest. We had a couple of big storms several years ago and in the dark you can get turned around pretty quick. I have only needed one once(when I didnt have one) and bought 3 the next day.

[troutfisher13111]

I carry 3 and prefer Suunto. Never know when your going to need one, and I sometimes hunt large tracts of land.

[Happy]

Yup.

[g8rvet]

I carry one in my vest at all times. If I switch out to my lightweight vest, the compass goes in it as well. Hardly every use it, but if I need it, I will really need it.

[Spitten and drummen]

I still have the one I used in the military from 1990. I carry it with me and on a couple occasions used it to shoot a azimuth on a gobbling bird.

[StruttinGobbler3]

Thanks for all the feedback. How do you normally use your compass while hunting? For instance, if you want to circle around a bird, how would you use it then? I'm fairly new to compass reading

[gergg]

For turkey hunting, no; however, I started carrying a compass years ago when I lived in Southeast Alaska and had walked over three hours in the woods with another hunter. When we got ready to return, neither of us agreed on the direction and had to wait until an airplane came over that headed toward the village in which we both lived in order to get our bearings. Fast forward 50 years later, I now live in Illinois, and I especially have one during deer season since tracking a hit deer after dark can become confusing, even in areas in which you are familiar.

When I was in college a friend and I were in some big woods at dusk getting ready to head back to the truck, neither of us were familiar with the area so I slipped a compass in my pocket before departing. He decided we needed to go one direction(opposite of the compass reading) I said well have fun I am following the compass, he decided to follow as well and we made it back 2 hours after dark but landed right back at the truck. Had we trusted our gut, we might still be walking, I always carry a compass now...lol