Taking and Finding Bearings

Before you read this guide I suggest you read about Parts of the Compass so you are aware of certain terms I will use while explaining how to take and find bearings. Enjoy.

Taking A Bearing

Taking a bearing is simple. I will explain step by step how to take a bearing. Step outside your front door or into your yard and pick a spot with lots of room. For this example we will use the bearing of 240 Degrees. Have your compass in front of you with the Direction Arrow pointing forward. Turn the Degrees Wheel until 240 Degrees is lined up with the Direction Arrow, straight ahead of you. You will notice behind the Needle is a area the size of the needle shaded red. Spin in place until the red part of the needle is sitting right in the shaded area. You have just taken the bearing of 240 Degrees from your original location.

Finding A Bearing

To find a bearing is simply the opposite of what you just did to take a bearing. Start in any location and place a rock on the ground so you can find the spot. Choose an object such as a tree or lamppost. You will find the bearing of this object from your starting location. Now, rotate you and the compass until the Direction Arrow is pointed directly at the object you want to find the bearing of. Now turn the Degrees Wheel on the compass so that the red shaded area is underneath the red part of the needle. Look at the Degrees and see what is straight forward, aligned with the Direction Arrow. This is the bearing of the object, from the location where you placed the rock.

Mastered this skill? Why not learn how to orient a map so you can use your compass and map together.