Program for plotting shape of land using legal description or "calls"

[hunting4deere]

Here is a link to one I have used. It has a 30 day free trail and works well when you figure it out (It's not that hard to figure out).

Deed Plotter and Map Drawing Software by Greenbrier Graphics

 

[grsthegreat]

If you want a close estimate, google earth offers a free one. I tried it on my property and it nearly matched my legal description within .1 acre. i was amazed

Measuring Distances and Areas - Google Earth Help

also this one

http://www.wildsoft.org/easyacreage/


ooooh.. i remember a better one, at least an easier one

http://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-area-calculator-tool.htm

 

[AGGIE00]

Hey DodgeMan - you didn't mention the fact that not all metes and bounds calls use the same coordinate system, and even professionals can get tripped up. Had two easements that were supposed to be parallel, but when you platted them out they appeared to cross. One surveyor used true North, the other used the State Plane Coordinate System.

The basis of bearing for the plat should be established by all subsequent surveyors and honored or adjusted to state plan as a whole datum.

I think it would be fun to watch people go to the store looking for tapemeasures with inches, tenths, varas and rods.

 

[dodge man]

The basis of bearings is often done in a somewhat random matter in my area. I generally use magnetic north, which is what you would get with a compass, but I also use state plane coordinates for my basis of bearing when using GPS.

 

[CurlyDave]

The basis of bearings is often done in a somewhat random matter in my area. I generally use magnetic north, which is what you would get with a compass, but I also use state plane coordinates for my basis of bearing when using GPS.

IMHO, magnetic north is a terrible basis.

It is constantly changing. The only advantage is that an unsophisticated man with a compass can find it, but it does not translate to the datum on any standard map.

 

[toddbailey]

We generally base our maps on either the recorded map/deed of recrod, or use gps to get on state plane

 

[ducks13]

Can anyone tell me how to convert the points on your land description/title to GPS coordinates? It seem like it should be fairly easy but I haven't figured it out.

Thanks

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Ducks13, I don't know about North Carolina, but this web site has a converter for PLSS lands:

TRS-data

You would think all of these systems are coordinated, but it is a little complicated for a simple farmer.

This site helped me understand that I wasn't going to understand:
http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/outreach/gps/gps_questions_and_answers.html

I.E., "Experience has shown that the position differences between NAD27 and NAD83 (WGS84) can vary by as much as 100 meters in easting and several hundred meters in northing."

 

[toddbailey]

Can anyone tell me how to convert the points on your land description/title to GPS coordinates? It seem like it should be fairly easy but I haven't figured it out.

Thanks

Its possibly very easy but I would bet with your land description/title it would be very very difficult for a "novice" to convert it correctly, and IMHO it's not a very good idea you must remember that with a handheld consumer grade GPS unit the accuracy you are going to get is in the 20' to 100' range at best which when trying to find your deer stand or your truck is pretty good but when trying to follow a property line really sucks. If you really need to know where your line(s) are hire a Surveyor.

 

[AGGIE00]

Its possibly very easy but I would bet with your land description/title it would be very very difficult for a "novice" to convert it correctly, and IMHO it's not a very good idea you must remember that with a handheld consumer grade GPS unit the accuracy you are going to get is in the 20' to 100' range at best which when trying to find your deer stand or your truck is pretty good but when trying to follow a property line really sucks. If you really need to know where your line(s) are hire a Surveyor.

We are often asked for the gps coordinates to a specific point so that the landowner can restore the stake if it is lost or destroyed. It is hard to convince them that the Garmin handheld is not RTK and that we are not necessarily using a static reference.