[birdman]

By: T.R. Michels

Over the years as a hunter, and then as a guide and outfitter, I found that one of the best ways to learn about a new hunting area was to use a topographical map and an aerial photo. Topographical maps show you the elevation of the land, how steep slopes and ravines are, where buildings occur, where lakes, streams and rivers occur, which areas are open (such as meadows and agricultural areas that are colored white on the map) and which areas are brushy or forested (which are colored green or gray on the map). But, topo maps don't show you how thick the brushy or wooded areas are, or what types of trees are in the wooded areas (evergreens or hardwoods).

While aerial photos don't show you elevations, they do show you where buildings are, where lakes, streams and rivers are, and how thick brush or wooded area are. They also show you whether the wooded areas consist of evergreens or hardwoods. When you are hunting for species like white-tailed deer, elk or turkeys (which often use evergreens for protection in hot or cold weather, when it is windy, or in heavy precipitation), being able to distinguish between hardwoods and evergreens can help you determine where to find the animals when they are looking for protection from the elements.

The great thing about topographical maps and aerial photos is that you can begin your "scouting" without ever seeing the land, or before actually stepping foot on it for "field reconnaissance." If I am planning an out-of-state hunt I usually order a copy of a topographical map of the area from the US Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado, and some aerial photos. Once I have my maps and photos I look them over to determine where I might find the animals, and how to get to them.

Looking for Habitat

If I am after whitetails I look for wooded areas the deer may use as bedding areas, then I check the topo map to determine if there is an east facing hill or ridge in the wooded area, because I know that whitetail bucks like to bed on the downwind side of the hill when the cold north or west winds blow in the fall. If I am after turkeys I look for south or east facing ridges with large evergreens or hardwoods, because I know turkeys often roost in large trees on south or east facing slopes.

If I am after elk I look for east facing "finger ridges" with evergreen/aspen covered benches and nearby streams or rivers, because I know that the east side of a slope often has green grass and forbes that elk like to use as forage; and they like to bed in semi-open evergreens/aspens when it's hot, and in thick evergreens when it's cold. I also look for open areas that whitetails, turkeys or elk may use as feeding areas; old burns, partially logged areas, clear cuts (including power lines and logging roads), meadows and agricultural fields. Once I have found what looks like good resting cover and food sources I look for "travel corridors" the animals may use between the two.

The travel route of most game animals often follows the path of least resistance, but is often governed by the need for security. Older animals often prefer to move in secure areas, if they can. If the animals are in secure areas (medium to heavy cover, back sides of hills, low-lying areas) they often follow mild slopes going uphill, or they go up-slope on a diagonal. They often use the same areas going downhill, but may use steeper slopes on the way down. Lastly I look for bottlenecks (saddles, drainages, gullies, narrow brushy or wooded fingers or fence lines) that allow the animals to move in relative security during daylight hours (when I can legally hunt). I also look for "shortcuts," the animals can use.

Many game animals will enter openings and field edges at the inside corner of the field, or cut across the inside corner of the field. They may also cut across the point of a bluff, hill or mountainside; use slight depressions to cross open areas (fields, meadows, roads and power lines), or find the narrowest or shallowest part of a river or stream to cross. Once I find all these area on the maps or photos I use the information to "field scout" the are and look for sign, and choose my hunting spots. Topographical maps and aerial photos, allow you to begin your scouting while you are at home, and cut down on the time and effort you have to spend on you "field scouting trips."

With the number of new services offering topographical maps and aerial photos for sale nowadays, especially over the Internet, it is fairly easy and inexpensive to get what you need. As I was writing this I logged on to my topographical map/aerial photo program, and pulled up my old elk hunting area in Chama, Mew Mexico. With the aid of my computer I was able to see right where two of my hunters killed their 6x6 bull elk several years ago. If I had had this program 14 year ago it would have made "scouting from home" a lot easier.