Up-Close mapping provides National Forest maps for the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest and is offered in a digital CD version. These maps represent the geographic amenities of these forests. Elevation and vegetation play a major role in game travel in the rugged environment of western NC. Look at true color areal images, false colored areal images, elevation models, slope layers, different vegetation stands, gps points of past deer sign taken by the scouting of Up-Close Outfitters, trails, contours, and much more. By using one of the most sophisticated mapping software platforms available (Geographic Information Systems) to predict game intentions we are able to bring this area of focus down to a manageable size.


Up-Close collected �in the field� data about new and old deer trails, available food, and all other evident signs that relate to big game hunting. This involved years of hiking and gathering data for future guides and maps. Combined with aerial photography and remotely sensed data (satellite imagery), these maps examine natural relationships and patterns not noticeable to the human eye. With Frank's education in remote sensing and photography we were able to delineate bedding and roosting areas, travel corridors, and main feeding areas. Routine in-the-field inspections are made on a regular basis to confirm that the map predictions are correct.

The digital version comes on CD with an application that needs to be installed on a desktop/laptop. Arc Explorer is a simple application and experimentation will familiarize you with its workings. As the map is geo-referenced the cursor position is shown with lat/long readout. Zooming in and out, measuring distances and adding your own data are primary functions of this application.

You can add data captured with a GPS device by converting the data to a file in GPS Exchange Format. Numerous third-party and GPS manufacturer utilities exist to perform this conversion. If you have a data cable you can plug your GPS into your desktop/laptop and experience live tracking. Track deer movement and plan your hunt most efficiently without spooking the game with Up-Close Maps. This product is the result of thousands of man-hours and is a very useful tool for planning, navigating, recording and analyzing local game migration and geographic features.

Up-Close has also mounted the same sub-meter GPS and GIS software to our 21 foot Champion bass boat. We have linked the GPS, echo-sounder, and mapping software to work collectively to map the bottom floor in 3D. Additionally we can apply analysis to this elevation model tying together typical behaviors of game fish to certain times of the year. By blending all of this together we come up with a map of highlighted regions showing where these fish should be given certain environmental factors.

These maps cover lakes in western NC and up-state SC. The scale of the map depends on the size of the lake. Some hard bound copies are split into two to help represent their size. They are printed on a 150 gram gloss art paper through a color laser printer that produces an excellent image which is color-fast and waterproof. These are completely custom made by Up-Close Outfitters.

The digital version comes on CD with an application that needs to be installed on a desktop/laptop like the above land maps. They also can be interactive with GPS points uploaded. If you have a data cable you can plug your GPS into your desktop/laptop and experience live tracking. This product is the result of thousands of man-hours and is a very useful tool for planning, navigating, recording and analyzing local lakes. Price - varies due to lake size