topo maps for scouting?
 

ive scouted hard and aint been able to find any spots that deer use frequently. can anyone on here give me some pointers based on a topo map? maybe point out some possible funnels, benches, saddles, etc.

<iframe width="100%" height="500px" src="https://caltopo.com/m/HSTF"></iframe>

Two spots jump out at me: notice just to the northwest of the word "bench" is the head of a draw with a creek running down it to a valley. I'd expect deer to run up and down the draw and use the bench to fan out along the mountain. It would be good to know if there is a food source at the bottom.


Note also that the Southwest facing slope is getting towards the end of a ridge running basically NW/SE.


I could see a deer coming up the draw and bedding on the slope. It should be warmer from the sun. Also he could keep going and veer off traveling the bench. Another option is that he gets on the ridge and run southeast on it till he crosses over the crest and then takes the draw that begins just north of the word "abandoned" on your map.


Those two draws and that ridge look to me to be a potential travel route across the mountain. Add to that a bench that bisects it and you might have a point where two very good travel routes intersect.


Methinks a stand right should be placed upwind from there.


Similarly, right where you have the word "rub" is the head of another draw running northwest. It also has a creek.

Benches are always good.

Thanks I'll check it out and see. Now that you mention I was hunting the bench and let a buck walk that came from the Ridge you was talking about.

If you can locate food sources and bedding areas along those, that would be excellent.


Also, other hunters. It looks like they might push deer up the mountain.