I'm looking over some topo maps of the area I hunt. What exactly does a bench or shelf look like on a topo? I'm looking for good spots for this fall. I've been on alot of the area but its pretty big, about a 2500 acre chunk that I don't have time to look at. What other good terrain features should I look for?

Here is an image of the area.

A bench mark is indicated with BM and anXusually with an elevation number. These areoften the highest points in that area. There are several different types of BM's, it gets somewhat involved. Like I mentioned earlier, it's a good idea to get a TOPO key that describes all ofthe symbolsin detail.

I don't think he's looking for a benchmark; I think he's looking for a bench... as in a small, flat spot alongside a hill deer use as a travel corridor.

didn't

Matt, benches can be tough to identify on topo maps, because often times bucks will utilize something that's only a few yards wide -- which won't show up on a topo or an aerial photo. In those cases, pounding the dirt is the only way to find those preferred travel routes.

Obviously, the closer the elevation lines the steeper the slope of the hill, or mountain. if you've got some really close lines, and then a space, followed by another series of closer lines you've found yourself a bench.

But... like I said, there's many a bench that won't show up on topos.

Oh, my bad. I should have read more carefully.Well that's easier. You'll find a bench were there are several contour lines spaced closely together and then a noticable gap in between the lines (contor interval), and then the lines become close again. This indicates a bench.

I would take a look right in the middle of the map. There is a number '35' to demarkate the grid square... just to the lower right of that number there is an elevation mark '900' just below it there are two elevation lines, then it goes flat for a bit.... that to me looks like a bench just off a point of a hill. Its just an area where the lines spread out a bit and if you can catch them running about forty or fifty yards down from a ridge.... thats usually a decent spot to investigate.

Greg Mo has it down and also important info in his second post.... depending on terrain it probably won't always show on a topo. Big ones yes in hilly ground, but small ones not so. If you're lucky enough to find the right one it's good year after year until the woods changes, or food, or pressure or something.

To expand on Greg's post.... Keep in mind that in logging or mining country there will be benches dozed into the side of hills that will never show ona topo.

So if you are in logging or mining country they will be there... Just have to wear out some boots to find them.

I tried to use your map to show what Ithink could be possibly be some bench's but couldn't. So I used one of mine, two real good bench's in blue, the top one is obvious, the one on the bottomis not.