Magnetic Declination ???

Sitting Bull · #1 10-18-2018, 08:20 PM

So if I am hunting in wmu 337 today and on the weekend I am in between Peace River and Manning in wmu 527, how do I figure out declination? Is it different in different areas of the province? Or do I set it once and forget it?
Thanks.

roughneckin · #2 10-18-2018, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitting Bull

So if I am hunting in wmu 337 today and on the weekend I am in between Peace River and Manning in wmu 527, how do I figure out declination? Is it different in different areas of the province? Or do I set it once and forget it?
Thanks.

You can look it up for your exact location online if you like as it’s pretty easy to change. I’d put up the webpage but it has a bundle of ads. I don’t change mine across the province and am pretty dang close. I looked up your approx location and it’s around +16° 33' if that helps.

Sitting Bull · #3 10-18-2018, 08:27 PM

So do you set it for your home base and then forget it? In your case Calgary

roughneckin · #4 10-18-2018, 08:28 PM

Yes. It’s pretty close as I’m not looking for anything specific. If you were headed for a small box in the middle of the woods I’d probably change it to the exact value but for me I’m usually just following a stream or valley to a road.

Sitting Bull · #5 10-18-2018, 08:35 PM

Got it! Thanks.

dodgeboy1979 · #6 10-19-2018, 07:10 AM

if you are using a map for your travels, it will have the declination to set your compass to on it.

calgarychef · #7 10-19-2018, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgeboy1979

if you are using a map for your travels, it will have the declination to set your compass to on it.

And if it’s an old map the declination may have changed.

lmtada · #8 10-19-2018, 07:27 AM

Little article by REI.

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awrg...4hkfXrwqwYKCE-

dodgeboy1979 · #9 10-19-2018, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarychef

And if it’s an old map the declination may have changed.

by using the declination on the map your compass bearings will be accurate to the map.

Grizzly Adams · #10 10-19-2018, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodgeboy1979

by using the declination on the map your compass bearings will be accurate to the map.

Most Canadian topo maps are so old, the declination will have changed substantially. Up to date declination can be found on the net. Even at the best of times, compass navigation is subject to error. Good back up, but GPS is cheap and reliable

Grizz

CanadianPsycho · #11 10-19-2018, 09:29 AM

Most maps have the change in declination calculated by the year. you just have to do the math to update it to the current year. I've never looked it up online, always just done the math.

CritterCommander · #12 10-19-2018, 11:55 AM

Just get parked on a nice long North - South Grid road and set your compass to read North. No calculations, no net, no thinking lol. And when you hit a new area do the same thing, or take a quick bearing up the road and see what you are reading. Likely going to be close enough.

Cowboy coffee · #13 10-19-2018, 04:09 PM

I agree, taking a bearing on my Silva from the early 90’s till this day still gets me back to my truck or my hunting destination.

Forest Techer · #14 10-19-2018, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CritterCommander

Just get parked on a nice long North - South Grid road and set your compass to read North. No calculations, no net, no thinking lol. And when you hit a new area do the same thing, or take a quick bearing up the road and see what you are reading. Likely going to be close enough.

This is what you do. Confirm with a map that you are using a true north south (or east west). Or use any line, get the azimuth off a map then align with a shot.

Better than all other methods. Mostly because it accounts for any manufacturer error. Your compass could be 15,55 180degrees off wouldn’t matter.

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