ok i hunt in the ridges and hollers.will bucks travel more on the top of the ridges or down in the valleys where the land is a bit flatter?

In my opinion and experience, deer generally travel on the side of the ridge about 1/3 of the way down from the crest. They do this to keep from being silhouetted against the skyline. Check these areas on some of the ridges and you'll surely find some trails. Try to find where two or three ridges intersect, then hang a stand where two or more of these trails cross and you'll increase your chances of seeing more deer and hopefully a dandy buck!! Good luck.

Same as what John Deer said, but I would also add that they like to cross ridges in the saddles. These saddles make a great stand location.

yea guys i have noticed about the same things.i was just curious where others have had there best luck in the ridges.im from va. in the appalachian mtns. and thats about all i have is ridges.JDeer what exactly is a saddle in the ridge?ive heard that alot.

Plus the thickest spots

eddie_v21

Let's say we were driving down the road and off in the distance you could see a long ridgline topped with hardwoods. You got that picture in your head? Ok, now somewhere along that ridgeline, there is a low spot. That my friend is the saddle. Deer will use a saddle because it offers the path of least resistance up and down the ridgeline. Also, not all ridgelines will have saddles. Some will meander long distances without a saddle and then gradually slope off into the bottom or valley below. Lay a sharpened pencil on the table and where the sharpened part slopes off toward the table is just like what we hunters call a "point". These "POINTS" can be just as productive as saddles are. Remember, deer will primarily travel on the side of the ridge, just down from the top. Most of the time these trails will connect when they fall off the ridge and down the point. Find a spot where these trails connect or converge and you'll increase your chances. I hope this helps you.