How To Read Topo Maps: The First Step to Become a Better Deer Hunter in Hill Country
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- Опубліковано 25 кві 2020
- Topo maps have a variety of applications, but when talked about in the hunting community it's generally related to scouting where folks are using them to identify key terrain features. Whether you're a new hunter or you have a few seasons under your belt, topo maps can seem a bit more intimidating than satellite imagery. However, if you want to hunt whitetail deer in hill country being able to read topo maps is a necessity. Once the very basics are understood it actually becomes quite easy to pick apart key topo features and really get solid visuals of what the real-life ground actually looks like. Once you can visualize, your digital scouting efforts will become much more cohesive with time spent burning boot leather.
MAP BASICS
One of the very basics to reading any map is orientation. This topic is fairly controversial amongst my peer group and has caused more than it fair share of needless miles. Personally, I like to keep my North orientation on all maps facing up. It's just the way I was taught as a kid, what I've seen most often throughout my career in construction, surveying, and has just been the norm throughout my circle of influence. This "North" orientation concept comes from the invention of the compass and understanding of magnetic north from early Europeans. Keeping a North orientation is probably most common.
So what is a topo map? A topographic map or sometimes referred to as an elevation map is simply a detailed two-dimensional representation of the Earth's surface shown as a series of contour lines with each line having a different elevation. The association of elevation with the contour lines allows the reader to interpret the three-dimensional lay and vertical scale of the land.
Contour lines show elevation change and are used to measure the steepness/grade of terrain. Contour lines also signify key terrain features which will always be represented in a consistent manner. Understanding some steadfast rules of contour lines can help you become very efficient at digital scouting topo maps and provide insightful knowledge on how an animal may traverse the topography.
10 RULES OF CONTOUR LINES
- Every specific point on a contour line has the same EXACT elevation.
- Contour lines separate downhill from uphill.
- Contour lines do not touch EXCEPT at a vertical edge or cliff. Because each line carries a different elevation it is impossible to have two lines at one elevation.
-Every 5th line is darker in color and/or thicker. This is known as an INDEX line. Also, INDEX lines will usually carry an elevation number.
-Contour lines get closer together in steep terrain and farther apart on flat terrain. This is specifically important when looking for bench-type features in the hill country.
- Contour lines that close or form circles represent a hilltop or a depression.
- Closed depressions with no outlet have HACHURE marks on the downhill sides of the contour lines.
- Contour lines will make a V shape when crossing a valley or drainage. The V will always point uphill.
- Contour lines will make a V or U shape when coming off a ridge top. The V or U will always point downhill. Often times creating a what people refer to as a point and/or spur.
- Contour lines on the opposite sides of a ridge or valley occur in pairs.
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Just finished your Topo used for scouting 101 session. Very informative. Never used topo for scouting/hunting in 54 years of deer hunting, but will be using it now. Needed an intro and this was great! Thanks.
Thanks fellas . I learned alot looking forward to you breaking down more in-depth how to hunt each of these features on stand alone episodes. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge
Nice conversation but d like the maps/features being on screen longer. Y’all just flash it up.🙃
to much talking for me too
Growing up, my old man taught me to read maps and do the navigating from about 12 or 13 years old. I'm 43 now, and who would've thought map reading skills later in life would make us the cool guys! Lol
Jonathan B 😂 weird how that works!
Going on my first deer hunt in Ontario Canada. You guys are fantastic !!! What a lesson !!! Definately subscribed. Well done.
Guys, hands down the best informative deer hunting channel! Jam packed with good shit to get in-depth info. Thanks!! Always excited for sundays! I didnt know you had shirts ill be getting a couple.
mike simmons appreciate the love!
Good video guys. Lots of good info. Can always learn something.
Topo maps are simply awesome....and most definitely have a lot to offer ...and man have the overlays just added to applications..I use them at work daily (land appraiser) and for hunting for sure...in fact, we pretty much know the property we are appraising before we show up.. pretty awesome ...and I never thought of this until your podcast that to Cameron's point, his generation really never needing to use traditional maps with being raised on smart phones...lots of good points in this podcast..
Great video fellas been learning to hunt hills with a lease I have not huge has but rugged as crap,thanks for sharing learned alot
More of these guys! FREAKING AWESOME!
Very good info. Thank u guys. If I was to send u a pic of a topo map could u guys help me out on how I should access it?I plan on hunting this bench about 150 yards off a point/ from the top. Then it's about 150 yards from the bench to the bottom. Thre is a really old wooden ladder stand stand on this bench. How would u access it? From the bottom or top. I could send u like 3 pictures of how it is
How do you change your contour lines on onX? I can’t seem to find that setting.
They said deer will bed on those points on either side of the V or U. Now will deer generally walk that point downward coming off there bed? So walk the opposite way of the point?
What topographic setting shakily i use. Meaning labels # and setting. 5 feet lone or 10 feet ?
Very informative piece
I am very very experienced in the woods and with contour maps. You guys are spot on with the ten rules and relationship with whitetails. GREAT JOB!
Boots on the ground is the best teacher for the novice/newbie, with the info you have given them. Again, thanks for the knowledge you share.
Bradley Snyder thanks for watching!!
Good info but we need to do another video with more visual clarity and examples. We’ll work on getting that out soon!
Examples would be great. Especially points, bench’s and spurs. First map and then cut to boots on the ground visual.
On topo maps wat does it mean wen contour ( small line) lines just stop
Great session gents🤙
Truth From The Stand 👊
Thank ya guys
OnX maps topo feature is a life saver! Great podcast, can really take a lot away from this
Just now seeing this video learned how to read a map because of riding bulls didn't have a gps back then
What’s the link to web page you had in the fist 3 minutes
exodusoutdoorgear.com/blogs/news/how-to-read-topo-maps-deer-hunting-hill-country?_pos=1&_sid=82ef8f98a&_ss=r
Definitely need a follow up video with the content that you guys talked about in the last couple of min of the video
How thermals move in the hills ??podcast and vid please
This is a great topic and we would be happy to cover it!
Thanks guys! Maybe how thermals and winds move thought the different topo changes. Make senses?
I hunt the big woods near hbg pa. If u want to call it big woods
Dan Figard I agree I would love to hear that one!
Most GPs ask
North up?
Course up?
Another word for point is finger
Not an age thing bro your two years older than me and I’ve been using maps since I was 10 I do use phone gps from time to time though
Bro you look like Seth Rogan 😂😂😂💀
looks like Joe Rogan and Seth Rogan haha
Seth Rogan?
Good info for a map newbie but could have easily been 1/2 or less. You both need to speak a bit more fluidly. A lot of us, and random pauses in sentences. Just something to work on.
Thanks for watching and the feedback Roy! The only way to get better is by doing and that we will continue.
Roy, just needs to read between the lines. That's all. Not all of us are blessed. Good luck Roy. If you don't understand what they're saying, well you just don't get it. Great job fellas! Really enjoyed the show.
@@simonoleary4890 I comment very positive things to them all the time. This was meant as constructive advice. Your comment to me about reading between the lines and not understanding doesn’t make sense. I can read a topo map. I also can hear and when I hear someone say filler words like “um” way to often it is distracting. Good luck to you my friend. We are all fellow hunters and we are allowed to each have our own opinions.