new tool for hunting in MN

[Scoot]

Just wanted to let you guys know I tried out a new product this weekend called MNTRAX. I had heard how great it was in ND (NDTRAX), so thought I would give the Minnesota version a try. It is advertised as being an all-around sportsman GPS map for Garmin and Lowrance. I bought it primarily for two reasons: to find any and all public land that I could hunt in MN and because the topo info I had for White Earth Lake (where my mo-in-law has a little cabin) was not too great. ... and I just got a new Garmin so thought I would try it out.

The WMAs and WPAs were spot on and looked good as well as other public lands. I had no idea I went past so much public land on the way to the lake. Unfortunately I didn't end up bringing the boat, so I couldn't check out the topo info for the lake. Assuming the lake contours are as good as the land/hunting info, this is going to be sweet!

Just thought I'd give you hunters a heads up- this little tool will make finding land and the boundaries between private and public land in MN really easy!

[Jameson]

This may finally convince me to upgrade the old Garmin GPS72. Need one that can take cards.

Thanks for the report!

[DonBo]

So this has all public lands AND lake maps to boot? Sweet!

[Scoot]

Yeah Jameson, the 72 is old school!!! Time to upgrade!

DonBo- yes, it has both lake topo and all public lands. It also has highways and county roads, hiking trails, boat ramps, parks, and a bunch of other things. I talked with the guy who sells it and he also said that I could get (at no extra cost) PLSS (PLAT) information if I wanted it. I'm not sure I would need that level of detail, but I'm sure some guys would love it.

[Augusta]

Don't we already have this on our LM chips? Or is this something new?

[Scoot]

MNTRAX is something new. It is differant from lm but does have 1100+ lakemaps on it.

Th MNTRAX has topo available on a ton of lakes, but that's not why I posted it here-- I posted it because it's got all of the public lands marked in the state. I posted it here (hunting forum) because I think it'll be a great deal for anyone who wants to hunt on public land and know that they are on public land. Like I said in my original post- there's a ton of land I can hunt between my place and my mo-in-law's place in MN that I didn't even know was public land. Also, when I'm out chasing grouse I'll know where the state land ends and where the private land begins, so I can stay off private property. I think it'll be a great little tool for hunters.

[Fishfanatic]

So what is the cost of your new gadget? Is it still reasonable?

Fish

[lindy rig]

I wonder if it would update as land changes?

[Scoot]

So what is the cost of your new gadget? Is it still reasonable?

Fish

[Augusta]

My LakeMaster chip gives me all the public hunting land in MN. I've been using it for that purpose for the last two years. Could it be the older versions of the LakeMaster chip don't do that?

[Scoot]

My LakeMaster chip gives me all the public hunting land in MN.

That's not true.

I hadn't heard about LakeMaster having any hunting data so I contacted them and they indicated there is a limited amount of land information including WMA and some forest information shown on only the Minnesota chip and not sure of what year or version of the chip you would need. From what they indicated it doesn't sound nearly as in-depth or include all of the information MNTRAX does.

[BoxMN]

Thanks for the info Scoot. This looks like something I would use, I will check it out!

Thanks

[BigWadeS]

Thanks Scoot I am getting one of those what a great addition.

[ac777]

Dang too bad I don't have a card slot on my 76 cs. This would be helpful.

[Powerstroke]

I do get some public land on my lakemaster chip, but I know not all the WMAS aren't on there.

I'll have to check this out cause I use my GPS primarily for hunting so this would be a great investment for me.

[bottom-bouncer]

got mine in the mail today. now im bummed cause it wont work in my I-finder plus the old one black and white version. witch stinks cuz I wanted to play with it tonite. dang now I have to buy a new GPS.

[Scoot]

b-b, nothing wrong with an excuse to buy a new toy, right?

However, I'm pretty sure it will work with your I-finder. I've got a buddy who has (I think) the same gps as you and he had the same experience- he didn't think it worked. However, he updated his firmware and it worked fine for him. Also, make sure your map setting is for Lowrance, not Navionics (might want to try this first).

If these things don't work, outdoorprostore- customer service has been excellent for me and I'm sure they'll take good care of you.

An example of this happened last week- I broke the little MNTRAX micro SD card in half while trying to put it in the case. This was due to me not paying attention and stupidly trying to force the case shut (D-U-M). They replaced the broken chip with no questions asked.

Point is, they'll take care of you if you can't make it work in your unit.

[bottom-bouncer]

thanks scoot i will try it again and if I cant figure it out i will give them a call

[Scoot]

FYI- I've taken this little gem with me from Fargo to the Twin Cities, Fargo to White Earth Lake, and Fargo to LOW. So far, I have yet to find a place where the public/private land boundaries didn't match up really nicely. I got both the MNTRAX chip and the NDTRAX chip. I'm headed to Western ND in a week or so and I'm looking forward to using it there.

[gurkster]

So which GPS model would you recommend for this card? I have an old GPS (no card slots, blk & wht, etc) and was thinking of upgrading this fall. This chip sounds like it would be great and fit my all needs. Is there a Make/Model that would be recommended or most commonly used? I would want a hand held unit for fishing and hunting. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[ESmith]

definitely couldn't hurt. always helpful to know exactly who's land you are on at a given time!

cool

[Scoot]

So which GPS model would you recommend for this card? I have an old GPS (no card slots, blk & wht, etc) and was thinking of upgrading this fall. This chip sounds like it would be great and fit my all needs. Is there a Make/Model that would be recommended or most commonly used? I would want a hand held unit for fishing and hunting. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

gurkster, no right or wrong answer to this. I just upgraded my gps and I got a Garmin 60CSX. The Oregon looks pretty cool, but it's pricey and I got a good buy on the 60CSX. However, any newer gps that takes SD or micro SD cards should work with this product (as I understand it).

[gurkster]

Thanks Scoot!

[guntar]

I finally had a chance to give this MNTRAX chip on my Lowrance Expedition C. It is a sweet little tool, when you are looking for public lands in areas that you aren't that familiar with. I am located in east-central Minnesota and my hunting takes my all over the state, but I think I am especially going to enjoy it during pheasant season.

Thanks for the tip Scoot.

[willyfahey]

Does the chip outline county land too? I hunt areas where state and federal forests border county land. Our hunting party has always wondered where these lines are. This definately sounds like a must have. If it had the land topo'd like the lakes it would be the ultimate.

[Scoot]

Yep, I believe it has county land too. You'd have to double check that to be certain, but I'm pretty sure it does.

[bottom-bouncer]

Hey scoot! I finally got my new GPS. I have a question maybe you can answer With the chip in when it shows state forest land is this all public or can private land be included in the state land that is shaded green

[Huntin&Fishin]

This looks like a really neat tool! Does it have all the WPA's for MN?

[Rick]

I believe MNTRAX has all of the WMAs and WPAs in it. You can be driving along and notice a WMA a few miles away and let your GPS lead you right to it.

You can get it upgraded with all the changes for only 20 bucks whenever you'd like.

[pikerliker]

Would this work in a Lowrance H2O?

~piker