Apps I Use for Hunting and Fishing By: Quinn Erdmann
By Quinn Erdmann - Wisconsin Program Coordinator
I want to start this article by saying that a lot of these apps you have to pay for to really utilize the full capabilities. There are different pricing options, and you should choose the one(s) that you would use the most. If you only hunt on a 20-acre parcel that’s been in your family for generations, you won’t need any apps to successfully hunt. If you go to public land that is an hour away, these apps are worth it. They can save you a scouting trip out there or narrow down locations which will maximize your time hunting.
OnX Hunt: The main purpose of this is to tell me where I can and can't hunt. OnX provides a map which shows property boundaries and public land. I predominantly hunt public land, which is open for everyone to hunt, and this app makes sure that I do not trespass or get lost. An understated use of OnX is online scouting, once you are able to read maps and understand what landscapes look like on the ground vs an aerial view, you are able to find hunting locations a lot easier before getting out there. Once you are out there you can drop pins, determine distances, and track your walking routes which will help you get back to that honey hole. Hunting in a location where there is limited or no service? You can even download maps, and your pins, to work without service.
Cost: $34.99 for one state, $49.99 for 2 states, $99.99 for nationwide (Pass It On Mentors get a one-year free OnX Membership, and youth can get 6 months free. Talk to your state coordinator for more details)
Navionics Boating: This app is very similar to OnX, but for lakes and fishing. It is able to show the depth contours and some 'fishing hotspots'. You are also able to find new lakes and drop your own pins if you find locations you like. The free version shows depth contours around a 5-10 ft change where the paid version shows 1 ft contours, allows you to place pins, shows community hotspots, and make changes in the settings. Once you learn depth contours it can become extremely helpful to catch fish.
Cost: Free Option, $49.99 a year (covers all US Waters)
Merlin Bird ID: I love this app, especially early in the morning. It does not relate directly to hunting, but it improves your experience in the outdoors. It has a feature where it records the birds chirping that your phone can hear and identifies them. It will light up when that bird calls again, which allows you to learn the noises of songbirds around you. You can also identify birds by picture and through a step-by-step guide.
Cost: FREE
PictureThis: There are a lot of versions of this app. They all do the same thing of taking a picture of a plant and identifying it. This can be extremely useful when it comes to hunting as most animals you will be hunting eat plants and they definitely have favorites, and it changes over the course of the hunting season. If you do not use it for that purpose, it is also great for your general woodsmanship (and figuring out what is and isn't poison ivy).
Cost: Free Option, $29.99 a year
Apple Maps: This is largely used in conjunction with OnX. Everyone is familiar with the practical application of typing in an address and getting there (very useful with some locations) you can also copy the coordinates of pins that are in OnX, paste them in maps, and maps will take you to that location. There is also an option to view satellite imagery of the location you are heading to. I notice that most of the time Apple, or Google, has more updated satellite imagery of many hunting areas. This is again helpful for finding hunting locations and seeing how the landscape has changed vs the OnX satellite images.
Cost: Free
