Scouting The Topography When Hunting

Many people view hunting as a dangerous yet exciting and enjoyable sport. There are many factors that hunters need to take into consideration when engaging in hunting activities. Hunting is a sport which does not only involve physical activity; it is intense when it comes to strategies, and the use of common sense to be able to get that elusive trophy.

Different elements such as safety, preparation and physical condition come into the picture in hunting. No one should hunt without the proper safety measures, good physical condition and preparation. Scouting the hunting area’s topography is one of the key elements taken for granted by many hunters. These hunters simply want to go out and try to make the kill without thinking like a predator. Hunting is more than having a gun, it requires preparation and strategy.

Topography

Topography is defined as the precise and detailed description of a region or area. It usually involves the description of the surface features of an area. These pieces of information are important when hunting. Solders don’t go to war without knowing precisely where to go and how maneuver in the battle area. This is the concept applied in utilizing different tools to become familiar with the topography of a hunting area.

This article gives some tips which could potentially help hunters use their knowledge of a territories’ topography to become successful in hunting.

Manual Scouting

There are different ways of scouting the topography of a hunting area. One is by doing it manually. This may sound very arduous and painstaking; but it is considered the best way to scout an area. Basketball players practice their ball shooting on the same court where they will be playing the real game. This is also applicable to hunting. When a hunter scouts the area where he will be hunting, he becomes familiar with the terrain.

In terms of topography, the hunter will be able to get an in-depth view of the area. Topographic maps won’t provide the benefits gained by actually seeing and feeling the whole area. These maps may not be as accurate as they seem, so the best way to scout is by doing it manually.

Choosing Sites to Scout

A useful tip in scouting the topography of a hunting area, if there is limited time, is to walk a portion of the area – preferably a quarter of the entire area. Choosing an area to scout may be tricky, but hunters can gather much needed information by doing preliminary research before scouting.

A hunter may ask the services of a guide or may ask the residents of the area about where the prey will most likely to be found during hunting season.

Standing site

Scouting the topography will enable a hunter to determine the best site for the standing site. A standing site should elevated and hidden discreetly so that the animals are not alerted or alarmed.

Topographic maps

Maps are pertinent tools for any person who is engaging in any outdoor activity, especially hunting. A topographic map illustrates the different features of an area such as the hills, streams, etc.

Here are some useful tips for hunters who are not familiar with reading
topographic maps:

- The lines in the map are called contour lines. When contour lines are close together it depicts a cliff(s) or steep bluffs. The flat regions are depicted by widely spaced contour lines.
.
-The lines never intersect or crossover each other: these lines depict the surface of the area and one should not expect to see intersecting and/or crossing lines.

-Lines which appear V-like depict stream valleys and rivulets.

Scouting on-line and through Aerial Photos

Many websites offer topographic maps which are interactive and aerial photos
of hunting areas. One can surf the net to be able to find these useful resources.

Scouting the topography of a hunting area is important in hunting
preparation. Hunters should not take this step for granted because it is a
basic foundation for the proceeding steps that follow.