I'm trying to learn to use topo maps to begin my scouting. I read a couple books over the summer about it. With that said where would some of you guys start with this map?
GA--you have lat/long coordinates for that area so I could look at it in more detail? Or just the name of the WMA. If you want to send it via PM that is cool.
I can't figure out how to use them either. After reading articles and applying what they recommend to my hunting maps there are no signs of deer anywhere around! I usually start my scouting in the creeks looking for high traffic crossings ... they are easy to find in the mud and usually lead to good ambush trails/spots. Sorry I couldn't help with the topo's ... I will be watching this thread for some advice from others. Good luck!
Here is a site I use! You will have to find your location but really like this site. http://mapper.acme.com/
Yup I love using Acme Mapper. Switch right over from Satellite to Topo and back and forth. Really useful tool.
Forgive me for needing to run off and help put my two boys to bed... I literally put like two seconds into looking at this. But... these are the first two spots that jump out at me: there's a draw on the right that I circled; I'd definitely check that out. I also circled a small saddle where the land plateaus a bit below and to the left of that... Like I said, first two spots that struck my fancy.
Just my thoughts on this area. If I had never hunted it or stepped foot on it I would have to take a look at the WMA boundaries. I looked over the WMA boundary map and concluded the central/northern sections of the WMA are full of roads and major trails. Too much human traffic for me so I moved south on the map and noticed some sections that caught my eye. I marked them down into smaller sections like Gri22ly suggested you do. The sections that are of interest to me are areas that are not close to the road, are around no hunting areas or bow only areas, and the topography plays into the crop fields/grassfields. I did not mark up all my areas of interest, just three. I am not even close to being a map expert but I did think about staying in a holiday inn last night and Gri22ly has mentored me, so there.
