topo maps

[spmuddin323]

I found where I can get a topo map at and also looked online at one of the property Im hunting. The problem is I can't pinpoint a funnel. Is it like a hollow going up the mountain? Does anyone have any pictures they could post to help point some out.

 

[TNDeerGuy]

acme mapper. You can overlay satellite and topos

 

[spmuddin323]

I will have to check that out I appreciate it. Still trying to pinpoint funnels. I'm hunting maybe 1/4 up the mountain so there shouldn't be and saddles if I am looking at them correctly.
A saddle is a low spot between two ridges correct?

 

[Winchester]

A saddle is a low spot between two ridges correct?

Pretty much. A funnel can be created by lots of different things.
Not sure what your looking for?

 

[spmuddin323]

I can't post a picture off my phone or I would. Funnels on the mountain side. Are they like a hollow that goes up til right underneath the top of the mountain or are they dips that are in the side? Trying to figure this stuff out and help prepare myself for next season a lot better. I'm going to get that mapping trophy bucks book I see a lot about.

 

[300wby]

I also hunt the side of the mountain. Not easy to say the least but rewards can be big. The funnels on the side can be points coming down the mountain. they need to connect feeding and bedding areas. The hollows that go up to the top can be good spots but usually at the head of them where the deer have an option of going off either way.

 

[300wby]

By points I mean the rounded places where the mountain kind of turns. Also look on the topo for areas on top where strips of woods extend out on the top of the mtn. The deer will hit these a lot before sun comes up and ease thru them and then off the side of the mtn. Post rut the bucks will come off before or right at daylight. the higher up you hunt the earlier you need to be there.

 

[spmuddin323]

I only have about 3/4 of the way to the top that I can hunt. I am trying to pin point the breeding areas and feeding areas also. Is there any way you could post a pic of a topo with a funnel? I would post a pic but.my phone will not allow me. I know at the bottom of the mountain there is a small creek that runs year round about a 30yd thicket of hedge bushes seperate the soybean/corn field from the creek. The creek is right at the mountain to. I know where a good but of white oaks are also but that's the only 2 places I would think they feed. There is a big pine thicket that wraps around the mountain for a decent.ways and a small cedar thicket too. If you willing to help me out a little PM me.you email and I will try to send you a topo and satellite of the area and try to draw out some thick areas and whatever you would have questions about. If your willing to spare some of tour time and thanks for the responses

 

[Jake47]

Try looking at the property using Google Earth. You can adjust the satellite view so it looks to be in 3D. Also you can see the elevation where your cursor is so it becomes very easy to pinpoint what you are looking for. PM me if you want more info or need some help learning Google Earth!

 

[AT Hiker]

I am not a East TN mountain hunter but I have spent a lot of time hiking in the Appalachians, and I do hunt some pretty steep woods here. I have had luck hunting benches just below the ridge top, fairly easy to ID on a map sometimes (look for a wider topo line down from the top of the mountain).

I would say a common mountain funnel would be ridges coming together or down in the hollows where multiple finger ridges lead into them. Maybe a saddle that connects to ridges/mountains together.

In general a funnel is any structure that forces a deer to move through a general area, so blown down trees could be funnels. Those are not going to be on any map.

In addition to the funnel you should prob consider where the deer are coming from and where they are going (i.e. thicket to food). I do not know mountain deer, so I would guess mast trees would be the food source and a slope that blocks the wind???

 

[Vermin93]

Get the Mapping Trophy Bucks book by Brad Herndon and the Hill Country Bucks DVD by Blood Brothers Outdoors. They helped me a lot a few years ago when I started hunting East TN.

 

[spmuddin323]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm hoping to learn a lot more. East tn hunting is a lot different than west tn hunting to me. There are a few fields here to hunt but I just love a big hardwood thicket. I have never been able to pattern these deer here. When I went the other morning I saw 7 does. 2 came one way 3 came another way and 2 more a different way. Saw them at 7,8, and 9. So they should have been going to their bedding area right? Will a buck bed close or with does? I also seen 2 sets of eyes on my way to my stand that morning but nothing blower at me or hauled tail leaving so I'm not sure what it was but I was thinking deer since the eyes glowed green and was pretty big eyes. I would love to sent someone a satellite and topo view of the area and pin point a couple areas to see what someone else thinks. And again I really appreciate all the help. None of my family deer hunts so I'm trying to teach myself and learn from others as well