Is this considered a saddle?
 

On the topo map where the little icon is. Is that a saddle? I've been learning topo and trying to find areas on a new property and was wondering. Thanks

I was going to post that on your other thread but I think it is. I think that would be a great place to put a stand as well. I'd like it to have more of a drastic elevation change but I think that would be a great spot during the rut.

Thanks. Now to actually find it. I've walked the area a few times but haven't noticed much of a dip in the top of the ridge

I've never heard the term saddle, with regards to topo's. Just curious on what that refers to.

The way I understood it a lower area between two high spots on a ridge. Someone else could help with that probably. Kind of like a saddle looks like for riding a horse.

Here's a link with a great explanation of the various terms, including saddle, along with pictures showing the terms when using a topographic map:

http://www.map-reading.com/ch10-6.php

I don't know if the Army still teaches it this way, but when I went through basic training 20+ years ago, it was a standard land navigation term that referred to a low point between two high points (the area between two hill tops along a ridge, basically).

And yes, the terrain feature indicated on the map would be a saddle,

The area you pointed out is a saddle, but as you have observed, not much of one. There is a more pronounced saddle back down the ridge to the SSE of the one you noted, just to the right of the "BM 1049".

Saddles can be great, or they can just be a saddle. Deer need a reason to want to cross the ridge, and then the saddle becomes the natural crossing because it takes less energy to cross the ridge in a low-point.

I look for a saddle, and then I look for the place within the saddle where a "bench" in the side-hill (think of it as a landing in the middle of a run of steps) runs into the saddle.

Benches, like ridge tops, are great natural travel ways, and are often great feeding areas too. The combination of a bench, ridge-top and a saddle is hard to beat for all day sits in early November.

Ya just where your talking is a great spot. I saw about 9 does there during turkey season. Unfortunately it's someone else's land and doesn't allow hunting. My property stops at the power line. :(