BLM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What states are the BLM products available for?
The BLM products are available for the western states that have 70 percent or more of the 1:100,000 scale maps available as Bureau of Land Management maps. Where BLM maps are not available, USGS 1:100,000 scale maps are used to provide seamless topographic map coverage of the entire state. The 11 states available include Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

What is the contour interval for the BLM maps?
The contour interval is the same as the USGS 1:100,000 scale metric maps. Edits are made in places on the BLM maps showing the elevation for a specific location in feet. With the integrated digital elevation data, the cursor shows the elevation for any point on the map and terrain profiles are shown in feet or meters.

How old are the BLM maps and will you be updating them anytime soon?
The mapsets for all states were built in 1999 and based on the most current information at that time. However, some of the map information may date back to the 1980's. We recommend that you contact the local BLM representative for current land status in all cases as ownership can change at any time.

Why do the elevation numbers appear lower than what I would expect?
The USGS 1:100,000 scale maps are printed in metric units. State Explorer uses elevation data that can be displayed in either feet or meters. The default displays the elevation in feet.

Does State Explorer have the capability to display latitude, longitude and elevation automatically?
Each of the maps are “georeferenced” so the latitude - longitude and elevation are displayed in the lower right corner for any point in the state. When a waypoint is saved in State Explorer, the latitude - longitude and elevation are captured as part of that waypoint.

Can I determine distances automatically using the software?
State Explorer accurately calculates distance for both path (irregular line) and straight line distance between two points. See the Quick Tour for more information on the distance tools and their use.

What states have Game Management Unit overlays?
Game management units are available for all the BLM states with the exception of California. Despite our requests, the California state wildlife agencies have decided not to provide the boundaries to Maptrails for distribution in its products.

Can the maps be downloaded into my GPS unit?
The GPS interface does not download the maps to the GPS. The GPS interface only uploads and downloads waypoints to the GPS unit.

What GPS units are supported in Maptrails products?
For live tracking, Maptrails supports any NEMA GPS signal which comes in on comm 1-4. For waypoint transfer only units which use the communications port are supported including: Garmin series 12, 12XL and some eTrex units. These units are supported with the 3.54 upgrade patch. Most Magellan units are supported. Eagle and Lowrance units are no longer supported.

Can the maps be exported out of the BLM State Explorer product for use in a graphics, CAD or GIS system?
There is no export capability for the State Explorer BLM edition. However, digital BLM maps are available for purchase in user-specified projections and file formats. To purchase maps compatible with other software systems, please call our sales department.