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HOW TO USE THE COMPASS A small pocket compass affixed to a leather thong and carried in Oie breast pocket and fastened to a button of the shirt is a valuable item for the hunter But the compass is of little value if a person does not know how to use it It cannot read like a watch and it will not tell in what direction to travel However the needle swings freely on its pivot and the blue end always points to the magnetic north The true north lies a de ¬ gree or more to either side of the magnetic north In the west for instance the needle will be at ¬ tracted a trifle to the east while in the east it will swing a trifle to the west of the true north This magnetic variation need not IMJ taken into account by the woodsman who may consider it tc jinint to the true north for absolute accuracy is not regarded on laud as essential as on sea seaToavoid Toavoid any possibility of cinfusion the woodsman will do well to take the precaution to scratch on the back otthe case these letters U X meaning blue equals north If this is done even the tender ¬ foot will be certain to remember and read the com ¬ pass rightly however confused he may be when finding he has lost his way wayTho Tho compass needle is attracted to iron and steel and should be kept away from tlie gun and hatchet To use the compass hold it level and press the stop if it has one to allow the needle to swing free Note some landmark such as a prominent tree high cliff etc lying iu the direction traveled and go directly to this object Consult the compass frequently when making a detour or when the land ¬ mark i asses out of sight When this mark is reached select another farther on and continue to travel always picking out new marks along the line indicated by the compass compassWhen When making camp consult a map of your region study it and so gain a good general idea of the sur ¬ rounding country When leaviiu camp take the bear ¬ ings from the compass By so doing even the in ¬ experienced woodsman will know iu what direction he is traveling and when the course is changed keep the general direction in mind When climbing a hill or making detours takj a mental note of tie change in direction and the bearings will not be lost
