Navigation: Exploring Off-Trail

You DO NOT need to account for declination if you're simply taking a bearing from a map. You need to align either the left or right edge of the map to magnetic (not true) north, and then hold the map in that position and take all the bearings you need.

However, if you try to triangulate, you WILL need to consider declination. For that reason, it is far easier to draw declination lines on your map and take all bearings from those lines. Then you do not need to orient the map towards magnetic north. All you need to do is line up the meridian lines inside the bezel to the declination lines and rotate the direction of travel to your starting/ending points.

You don't need to worry about declination if you're taking a bearing from a map and you orient the compass and map to magnetic north. However, if you try to triangulate, you will need to include declination, so it is a good practice to draw the declination lines on the map and always orient with those lines. Also, the only true north-south lines on a map are the right and left edges, a lot of lines on the map are section and township lines which are not necessarily true north-south.

You do need to account for local declination whenever you use a map and compass together. The map is aligned to true north, but the compass needle, unless adjusted for declination, is responding to magnetic north. Learn how to orient your map with a compass here: http://www.backpacker.com/backpacking_101_how_to_align_your_compass/skills/12156

Correct me if I am wrong, but do you not have to accout for the declination of Magnetic North when you go from map to compass?