In_Waters_Deep

Ok guys,I found this site that took a free topo map of my property. The red block is my house. I circled the area I will be hunting in with yellow. I understand how to read maps like this, however I dont understand what I should be looking for as far as hunting goes. So correct me if I am wrong.

Location 1 is a field in my "front" yard. There are always indentations in the grass from deer laying down. So maybe parking myself under a tree in the early morning here?

Location 2 is at the bottom of a ravine with water sometimes flowing through from the lake to the left. I know that when a deer is shot it likes to run downhill and towards water, so even if this wouldnt be a good spot to hunt, maybe where they would end up if I got lucky?

Location 3 is at the edge of the forest with a good view of the shore of the lake. Im not sure however where deer like to get their water or when they would try to get it.

Location 4 sits above a gravel path that preceeds a downhill gradiation. I have seen several deer around this area, on the north side of the black road.

My overall question is how does terrain afect deer behavior? Do they like staying on the top of hills. Do they like being near water? Anything you guys can share would be so helpful. Thank you so much.

gmelectric

what is the name of the web site

peakrut

I have to tell you the book mapping trophy whitetails should help you a lot. Right now you can get it at buy.com and use google check out for about $10. I just started reading it and great stuff.

Power

Deer are lazy like humans. If you find their food source and their bedding areas you'll want to hunt somewhere by either their food or travel routes back to bed. Generally that means over saddles at the tops of ravines. They can get water many places so by the lake probably isn't where they will go if it's open. I'd stay near the creek bed. Also, since you've seen deer in certain areas hunt there (duh) but might want to pattern them to see where they are coming from or going to. Look for open areas like your field and some other area where they might be feeding and then find the patch of cover between. That's where I'd set up.

In_Waters_Deep

thanks alot for the advice Power, and ill definitely check that book out Fraley. I appreciate it.

StillHunter90

Ya I have that book and I have learned a lot from it when normally I would have over looked it on a topo map. It teaches you about saddles, converging hubs, points, breaklines, Inside corners, funnels,and on and on. Its a GOOD book.

Nathan67

Here is a link to the Army Field Navigation manual, got some good info for topo map reading
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-25-26/index.html

timbercruiser

The bigger question is where are the food sources they will be using in the winter and where are the bedding areas?