One thing the majority of deer hunters can agree upon is the importance of scouting when trying to locate mature bucks and utilizing maps is one piece of the puzzle. Aerial maps and satellite imagery can be great for identifying natural features like wood blocks, fields, or man made structures but lack the ability to show elevation change. This is where learning how to read topographic maps comes in handy, especially when hunting hill country.
What is a Topographic Map?
A topographic map is a detailed two dimensional representation of the Earth’s three dimensional surface. The lines on a topo map, contour and index lines, illustrate elevation changes and different terrain features like ridges, valleys, saddles, drainages, etc.
For deer hunters, learning to read topo maps can provide a significant advantage when it comes to identifying the key features that mature bucks are likely to frequent as well as terrain features that funnel deer traffic through an area.
How to Read Topographic Maps
Reading topo maps is fairly easy once you understand contour lines. Here are a few rules to consider about contour lines to effectively read topographic maps.
Every contour line represents a specific elevation: A contour line on a topo map represents the same elevation above sea level.
Contour lines never intersect: Contour lines never cross one another, with close lines indicating steep terrain while farther apart lines indicate a gentle slope or flat area.
Closed Loops: Contour lines form closed loops when they represent the tops of hills or mounds (higher elevation) or depressions (lower elevation).
Drainages: Contour lines that represent drainages form V-shaped patterns, with the point of the V always pointing uphill.
Hills and mountains: Contour lines on hills and mountains form concentric circles that decrease in size as the elevation increases.
Contour interval: The contour interval is the vertical distance between contour lines and is usually specified on the topo map. It determines the amount of elevation change between adjacent contour lines.
Index lines: Every fifth contour line is typically an index line. These bold lines are labeled with elevation.
Steepness of slopes: Extremely close contour lines signify steep terrain or slopes, while the more contour lines spread out represent a gentle slope.
Ridge Points: Ridge points or spurs form a U-shape, with the point of the U facing downhill.
Topographic Map Features Every Deer Hunter Should Understand
Now that we’ve established the very basics of reading a topo map we can start to identify key terrain features that greatly influence how whitetails move through and where whitetails bed in hill country.
Saddles
Saddles are low spots on ridge tops that deer often use as travel routes. You can spot them on topo maps where contour lines dip inward from both sides of a ridge. Saddles create natural funnels, concentrating deer movement.
Look for subtle saddles that other hunters might overlook. These can be real hidden gems. Set up near saddles to intercept deer as they cross between areas.
Saddles also make great observation points. You can glass surrounding slopes and drainages from a concealed position in a saddle.
Benches
Benches are flat or gently sloping areas on an otherwise steep hillside. On topo maps, you’ll see contour lines spaced farther apart in a relatively small area surrounded by tighter lines.
Deer love benches. They use them as bedding areas, travel routes, and feeding spots. Benches offer deer a place to pause and feel secure while moving up or down a slope.
Scout benches for deer sign like tracks, droppings, and rubs. Look for benches near food sources or thick cover. These spots can be killer stand locations, especially during the rut.
Ridge Points/Spurs
Ridge points show up on topo maps as a series of V or U shaped lines pointing downhill and indicate a ridge ending. The points and spurs of ridges are great locations to find deer bedding.
Set up near a ridge ending during morning hunts to catch deer as they transition between food sources and bedding.
Hubs
Hubs are areas where multiple ridges or drainages converge. On a topo map, you’ll see several ridge lines or drainage patterns meeting at a central point.
These intersections create natural travel corridors for deer. Bucks often use this thermal hub to scent check an area due to the scent from the surrounding ridges and drainages collecting in these areas.
Scout hubs for rubs, scrapes, and well-worn deer trails. They can be excellent locations for trail cameras and tree stands, especially during the pre-rut and rut.
Drainages and Gullies
Drainages appear on topo maps as V-shaped contour lines that point uphill. The tighter the V, the steeper and narrower the drainage.
Deer use drainages as travel corridors and escape routes. They provide cover and often hold water sources.
Look for benches or flat spots along drainages. These can be prime bedding areas. The heads of drainages, where they start high on a slope, are also worth checking out.
Set up along the edges of drainages to catch deer moving between bedding and feeding areas. Pay special attention to spots where drainages intersect or create natural funnels.
Advanced Tips for Maximizing Topo Map Use
While understanding how to read topo maps can take your deer hunting to the next level, use these tips to help you get the most out of your maps and improve your chances of success in hill country.
Layered Mapping Tools
While a topo map is great for seeing the exact elevation and elevation changes in an area those squiggly lines lack the ability to show you what covers the area; fields, woods, etc. This is where digital mapping apps like OnX shine. These apps allow you to layer different types of data over topo maps.
By overlaying your topo maps with satellite imagery, you can start to gain a better understanding of what deer movement might look like in a particular area. Take note of the type of what the landscape is like in and around key topo features. Is there decent cover, crop fields, open timber? This will not only allow you to speed scout an area but also take note of where the most key terrain features that are likely to attract deer are located.
Scouting Strategies
Use topo maps to plan scouting trips more efficiently. Look for natural funnels, pinch points, and other terrain features that are likely to funnel deer movement. Creek crossings and saddles are a good example of a pinch point where deer take the path of least resistance to travel from one location to another.
It’s also a good idea to pay attention to elevation changes. Deer often use benches and side hills as travel routes. These show up clearly on topo maps as areas where contour lines are farther apart.
By scouting virtually first using your topo map and aerial imagery, then confirming your findings on foot, you are able to save a significant amount of time and energy in the field.
Seasonal Considerations
Topo maps can help you adapt to changing deer behavior throughout the year, like when deer migrate from their summer ranges into their fall ranges. In early season, focus on food sources. Look for agricultural fields near cover on your map.
During the rut, bucks travel more. Use your map to find travel corridors between bedding and feeding areas. These often follow the path of least resistance on a topo map.
Late season means looking for thermal cover and food. South-facing slopes show up well on topo maps and offer warmer bedding areas for deer while aerial imagery is better suited for narrowing down the available food sources this time of year.
Wrapping Up
Mastering the art of reading topographic maps is an invaluable skill for any deer hunter. By understanding contour lines and key terrain features, hunters can effectively pinpoint areas where mature bucks are likely to roam. Utilizing both topo maps and digital mapping tools enhances scouting strategies, allowing for efficient planning and successful deer hunts. Whether you’re navigating steep terrain or identifying gentle slopes, the ability to read topo maps offers a significant advantage in the field. Embrace these techniques, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more successful and informed deer hunter.