When scouting from maps, the first thing to look at is the roads. Next look for drainages, draws, ridges, canyons, saddles, etc between the roads. What you are looking for are areas you can drive to and then walk in and get away from the pressure. These "holes" are where pressured animals seek out. Elk are very smart and very sensitve to disturbance (i.e. traffic on roads). Many times hunters will hunt areas that they can only see from the road. With your scouting with maps ahead of time, you already know what is on the other side of the hill.

Next, look at the aeral photos and try tofind hidden meadows or clearnigs. Meadows next to travel corridors like saddles, draws, and rigdes are good spots to look for.

Another thing to look at is elevation or contour lines on the topo map. Many times you will find an area on the map that looks good to hunt, but the elevation is too steep to make a reasonalble hunt out of it. But, of course, if you are a mountain goat (or an elk...LOL) these are just the spots to look for.

Hope this helps you out!

Blue Moose