New maps help hunters zero in

Washington hunters can zero in on boundaries of Washington game management units with a new online map tool developed by Northwest Maps, 10525 E. Sprague Ave., in Spokane Valley.

• The Washington State GMU Boundaries Map is free to use at www.nwmaps.com/.

The GMU maps printed in the state’s hunting regulations pamphlet are vague, forcing hunters to rely mostly on the text descriptions.

Northwest Maps owner Steve Mitrovich has overlaid the GMU boundaries on Washington a digitized USGS Washington State map.

The map also shows hunters the corresponding Public Land Map produced by the Department of Natural Resources. Northwest Maps sells the DNR maps, which show roads, rivers and other land features as well as designating land management by public agency.

“Any part of the online map can be enlarged on the screen and printed out,” Mitrovich said. “The GMU boundaries were generously supplied by the Department of Fish and Wildlife back in July, so they should be up-to-date.”

“We sell the DNR Public Land Maps for all of Washington online as well as at the shop.”

Preseason is a good time for hunters to be sure their maps are up-to-date.

The most current date on any of Washington’s Public Land Maps is 2008. Those maps updated in 2008 include Clarkston, Colville, Republic, Wenatchee and Yakima.

A new edition of the Chewelah is ready to go to print but funding is not available, Mitrovich said.

“All the older editions of Chewelah are gone. To fill this area, we are selling the 2010 BLM Chewelah map.”