I was hunting the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge last week and while walking an abandoned road came to an old crossway. The roads to the left and right looked interesting so I poked around a bit and came back to the crossway thinking about heading back before dark. When I got to the intersection I looked down at my OnX app on my Iphone to see how far down this trail/road I was and noticed it was directing me to go left when I was certain the road I came down was right. Im standing there looking down the abandoned road I knew I came down, then down the road it says i should go down and while they both looked identical (just a continuation of the same abandoned road) I had no doubt which way I went - but with the compass pointing the opposite direction it certainly through me for a loop. I closed out the app and opened my phones regular compass and sure enough it was also telling me to go left vs right. I turned off the phone, waited a few minutes, then turned it back on and still the same - both app and compass on the phone telling me to head left.
Now where I was on the refuge, and the direction I knew I came from all said to head South East, and the fact that the setting sun was to my left I knew I was right and the phone was wrong and worked my way back and of course found all the same trail features I'd noticed on the way down the road (I'd been kicking over deer poop along the way so I could see how active the trail was as I planned to go back the next day) - it was funny to see the phone as I walked down the trail show me essentially walking backwards when I worked my way out, however it certainly is a creepy feeling to find out something we're all happy to trust can get so out of wack. When I got back in that night i googled the calibration issue and plenty of folks online reported their phones compass is off and it's just a bug with the software, and I've noticed it off/on sporadically since now. I was awful lucky I wasnt deep into a Colorado Wilderness trip where I didn't have nearly the same bearings as I did on the refuge - but guys and gals, let me tell you, I've gotten out of the habit of bringing a compass along with me when I hunt over the years, and you better believe it's going to be part of my carry gear again.

The good thing is you were aware of your surroundings and had common sense to know which direction you truly were going. Many people lack the common sense of this these days. I will never rely solely on my phone (or any hard electronics) for any directional data for this reason. I can't tell you how many times the mapping software or directional issues I've seen with my phone, and mainly my wife's phone. She relies on her phone for almost all directions. At least once a week or more often when we get in the car to go somewhere, the phone takes you a route you know makes no sense. She maps everything, even if it's somewhere we've been many times and know the route. I'm amazed at how ridiculous the routes are.

And when we go archery hunting in CO in the mountains, a good topo map and compass is all I need.

LoL nothing like the adrenaline rush you get when you discover your are "misplaced". I got myself completely turned around crawling through brush trying to track a hog. I know this place like the back of my hand but with nothing more than a small flashlight I ran out of trail. Trying to orient myself in thick brush no clue where I was at. I had to chuckle at my predicament but it was kind of fun. All things being equal, the simplest solution is usually the best. I just held tight until enough stars were visible to navigate hit the fence line and hiked back to the ranch house.

LoL nothing like the adrenaline rush you get when you discover your are "misplaced". I got myself completely turned around crawling through brush trying to track a hog. I know this place like the back of my hand but with nothing more than a small flashlight I ran out of trail. Trying to orient myself in thick brush no clue where I was at. I had to chuckle at my predicament but it was kind of fun. All things being equal, the simplest solution is usually the best. I just held tight until enough stars were visible to navigate hit the fence line and hiked back to the ranch house.

Map and a compass won't let you down and you won't run out of battery. The map can be in your head if you are familiar enough with the area you are in. I'm a forester and am amazed at the number of people that have no idea how to navigate in the woods or have any sense of direction. They will rely blindly on battery powered technology only to find themselves S.O.L. when their batteries crap out.... Modern cell phones with all their apps are draining the intellect of our population to the point that some struggle when they are without them.