How are topographic maps useful to hunters?
By Matt Chagnon, Whitetail Stewards, Inc. Topographic (topo) maps are valuable tools that can tell you much about the areas you plan to hunt or manage, before you take even a single step outdoors. Topo maps can be used to identify: • basic cover types of a property (e.g., forest, field, wetland) • the location of special habitat features such as orchards, dense swamps, isolated fields, and natural funnels • access routes you can use to get into remote areas, or alternate routes to your stands • hunting “hot-spots” in suburban areas • how the habitat on your property relates to habitat on surrounding properties • steepness of the terrain Topo maps also allow you to predict: • the amount of hunting pressure an area might receive • seasonal and daily movement patterns of deer • travel routes used by deer When used correctly, topo maps can save you time that you normally would have to spend walking your hunting area. While there is no substitute for actually seeing what is in the land you
