Not long ago, one of my followers on Instagram asked for tips on using topographical maps. He wanted to know how I use them, what I focus on, especially when setting up a stand.
As soon as he asked, I saw the clear link between placing stands & placing scouting cameras. After all, why put up a stand if you don’t know what kind of deer are roaming around? This blog is as much about positioning deer trail camerasas it is about setting up treestands.
The author used topo maps to find does, which led to pictures of this buck. A few days later, during the rut, he arrowed the buck.
Read Between The Lines
When you first look at a topo map, the number of lines & their strange shapes can be overwhelming. They might seem odd or unimportant. But these lines are the key, especially the spaces between them.
If you need a quick refresher, wide spaces between lines on a topo map show a gentle slope. Tight lines mean steep terrain. The closer the lines are, the steeper the slope. The farther apart, the more level. Think of them as "positive" & "negative" terrain features.
To find funnels, look for places where tightly packed lines meet wider spaced lines. That’s where the positive & negative terrain collide. See the areas circled on the map above.
Now, picture a buck walking along a gentle slope from point A to point B. There are lots of places to place a deer trail camera. But there’s one spot where, if a buck moves through, he’ll almost certainly pass your camera & stand. It’s where the steep & gentle terrain meet.
More often than not, a buck avoids the steep areas & travels along the gentler slope. This is called a "pinch point" or "funnel." Setting up your camera or treestand here will pay off, whether you’re aiming for a shot or just gathering visual evidence that deer use this funnel.
Looking Beyond Topos
Sometimes topo maps won’t show the small funnels that draw in deer. The only way to find these is to get on the ground & discover them yourself.
Old logging roads, bench flats, or small saddles on ridgetops can be magnets for deer. Ridgetop saddles are great for hunting & camera placement. But be aware, they often attract other hunters because of easy access. This could turn them into dead zones, at least during the day. Mature bucks tend to stay away from high-traffic spots during daylight, but you already know this. However, if you're hunting in areas with low pressure, ridgetop saddles are perfect for setting up cameras & stands.
Logging roads & bench flats often aren’t obvious on topo maps, so you may need to search for them on foot. Deer tend to take the easiest route, and abandoned roads or small flats make travel easy in tough terrain. So, don’t disregard their potential. If you find a spot along a road or flat where the terrain changes suddenly, you’ve likely found another pinch point. Sometimes, pinch points are nested inside other pinch points.
Conclusion
When setting up a stand or a deer trail camera, you’re usually told to find those high-traffic areas that deer love. That’s solid advice. But mature bucks don’t always follow the same patterns as younger ones. In fact, they often do their own thing, ignoring what the other deer are up to. Small funnels & pinch points can be the key to finally putting that elusive buck in front of you.
Start by studying your topo map. Then study it again. Grab a reliable scouting camera & head into the woods to confirm what you’ve learned. When you return, whether you’re setting up a stand, hunting, or checking your SD card, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Best of luck.
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