The year was 2010 I was lucky enough to draw an archery hunt in the famed Gila where big bulls roamed by the thousands. I must've spent over $1000 in gas learning the unit using topographical maps which were badly outdated and were tough at best to determine the land status of where you were standing. It was really my first lesson in hunting elk and by all ways of judgment I earned a solid F, chasing elk all over the place. You gotta start somewhere. Through the years I spent more money on gas and boots exploring New Mexico than I care to calculate but I learned a lot however slowly it might've been. I bought onX in 2018 for my phone and I couldn't believe the detail that came with it. What cost me so much in time, effort, and gas would've been a fraction of the price if I had it when I started.
As I mentioned in my title it makes my life rough now because anybody who buys it instantly will know great spots to hunt and how to get there. It doesn't take the place of boots on the ground but it definitely will give you a head start in getting where you want to go.