There are many makes and models of GPS units that offer a variety of features from black/white, color, touch screen technology, expandable memory, etc. Even within the same make, each of these GPS units may have their limitations including the ability to load custom base maps, the amount of internal memory or storage and color palette limitations. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department GPS maps were constructed for several varieties of Garmin handheld GPS models. The Department recognizes that these maps may not work well for all models and expect end users to proceed at their own discretion. The Department does not provide support for the GPS hardware, software or GPS maps.
Data used to create the North Dakota Game and Fish Department GPS maps are subject to change on a frequent basis, and are compiled from a variety of sources, data standards and scales. Users should be aware that the data may contain spatial inaccuracies, does not represent a legal land survey and may not be appropriate at certain scales.
To take advantage of some of the custom base maps it may be necessary to have the latest firmware (unit software) and Garmin drivers installed on your GPS. The firmware and driver upgrades can be found at the Garmin support website.
Installation Instructions
Recent models of Garmin GPS units provide the ability to utilize multiple GPS mapsets on the external memory. Others require a single compiled GMAPSUPP.img file that can reside on the external storage. Models without external memory utilize a GMAPSUPP.img file on the internal memory of the GPS unit. This file may contain the original Garmin base map as well as any additional user loaded maps (e.g. U.S. Inland Lakes, U.S. Topographic, City Navigator...). To prevent the loss of existing or user loaded maps please use the appropriate installation below.
Option 1 - Installation to GPS unit removable flash memory/micro SD card
Recent GPS models work as an external storage device where maps can be copied to a card without removing the card from the GPS unit. Other models may require the maps to be copied to a card using an adapter and card reader.
- Under GPS Mapset Downloads, click on the appropriate mapset.
- Extract the file/files from the *.zip file.
- Copy the desired *.img file/files to a “Garmin” or "Map" folder on the root level of the micro SD card.
***If an individual mapset is desired for a Garmin GPS unit that does not utilize multiple GPS maps, the file name of the individual mapset may be renamed to “GMAPSUPP.img”.
Option 2 - Installation directly to the GPS
WARNING! THIS OPTION MAY OVERWRITE YOUR EXISTING GPS MAPS!
For GPS units with internal memory only, this option replaces the GMAPSUPP.img file. Existing or user loaded maps in this file will no longer be available. For GPS units without internal memory storage, the file will replace the GMAPSUPP.img file on the removable memory card. GPS units with both internal and removable memory, the GMAPSUPP.img file will be created or replace the existing file on the internal storage.
- Under GPS Mapset Downloads, click on the appropriate mapset.
- Extract the file/files from the *.zip file.
- Power on and attach the GPS unit using a serial or USB cable.
- Double click the *.exe file to load GPS maps.
Available GPS maps
- ND Lands - Includes private lands enrolled in North Dakota Game and Fish Department Private Lands Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) programs, wildlife management areas, and other state and federal lands.
- ND Lakes - Includes Department fishing waters, lake bathymetry and fishing facilities (docks, piers, cleaning stations ...).
- ND Hunting Units - Includes various Department hunting units (deer, moose, elk, sheep ...).
- ND Base Map - Includes North Dakota cities, counties and roads.
GPS Mapset Downloads
ND Game and Fish GPS Maps (Individual Mapsets) – (13.4 Mb) Includes individual GPS maps for all Department mapsets, primarily for recent Garmin models with external memory and the ability to utilize multiple GPS maps.
ND Game and Fish GPS Maps (Compiled Mapsets) – (13.7 Mb) Includes a single compiled GMAPSUPP.img file that includes “ND Lands,” “ND Lakes,” “ND Base Map” and “ND Deer Hunting Units” mapsets. This option would be for Garmin models that have external memory options and do not have the ability to utilize multiple GPS maps.
ND Game and Fish GPS Maps (Executable) – (14.0 Mb) WARNING! THIS OPTION MAY OVERWRITE YOUR EXISTING GPS MAPS!
Includes an executable file that will load a compiled GMAPSUPP.img file that includes “ND Lands,” “ND Lakes,” “ND Base Map” and “ND Deer Hunting Units” mapsets. This option replaces the existing GMAPSUPP.img file on the GPS unit. Existing or user loaded maps will no longer be available. This option is primarily for GPS units without external memory.