Community
Bowhunting Talk about the passion that is bowhunting. Share in the stories, pictures, tips, tactics and learn how to be a better bowhunter.

How to read a Topo map?

Thread Tools
 
Old 11-11-2008, 10:00 AM
  #1  
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
 
Sport4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 297
Default How to read a Topo map?

I am not too sure how to read a topo map. A quick lesson would be greatly appreciated.
Sport4 is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 10:11 AM
  #2  
 
Jimimac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Plum Boro, PA
Posts: 1,423
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

The closer the lines the steeper the grade. That's a start. Try working up from a creek, pond or river to give yourself an idea how thegrade change looks.
Jimimac is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 10:31 AM
  #3  
Nontypical Buck
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: ELK GROVE CA USA
Posts: 1,251
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

lines are close means steep grade. if the line makes a circle that is the top of a mountian or hill. if the lines make a V that is the buttom of a ravine and will usually have a creek running at the V. if the lines are far apart it will be flatter. usually there will be set lines marked with a number. this is the altitude, find another line up or down from this line and find another altitude. deduct the two and that is the distance in feet they two are seperated by. use the legend to see how far, usually in miles, those two lines are and you know how many feet in elevation you will go up a hill walking X number of miles.
JNTURK is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 10:37 AM
  #4  
Dominant Buck
 
GMMAT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

deduct the two and that is the distance in feet they two are seperated by.
Feet of elevation......

As was stated earlier.....the distance between the lines will show you (after a little practice) the gradation severity between them.

A good 200 level course will show you how deer use said terrain to travel (normally.....and UNCANNILY normally).
GMMAT is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 11:07 AM
  #5  
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
 
Sport4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 297
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

Ok, thanks guys! That was a good and quick lesson. I appreciate it. So what do you guys normally look for in a good place to set up?
Sport4 is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 11:11 AM
  #6  
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
 
Sport4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 297
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

Sport4 is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 11:20 AM
  #7  
Nontypical Buck
 
gri22ly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: West Ky.
Posts: 1,161
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

Post a topo of where you hunt.
gri22ly is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 11:25 AM
  #8  
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
 
Sport4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 297
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

Yea that's what I was going to do but I can't figure out how. Could you help me with this to?

Sport4 is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 05:57 PM
  #9  
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
 
Sport4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 297
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

bump

Sport4 is offline  
Old 11-11-2008, 06:09 PM
  #10  
Dominant Buck
 
GMMAT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
Default RE: How to read a Topo map?

Here's a good example. Gri22 helped me with this early on, this year. Note the terrain features deer like to utilize to travel....and relate them to your land.

It is UNCANNY how accurate these trails he marked are in real life. You basically go to where he notes on the map...and voila.....trail.


GMMAT is offline  


Quick Reply: How to read a Topo map?


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.