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Funnels and Bedding questions

macobb

Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Messages
41
I am trying to learn how to identify funnels and good bedding to put boots on the ground from maps. I live and hunt in central Alabama. The vast majority of the property I hunt is older relatively open pines on the top two thirds of the ridges and hardwood bottoms some open some full of what I call cane grass. Can anyone give me advice on how to locate good pinch points and funnels? Also how do I find good bedding areas if the habit is extremely monotonous? Any help appreciated. Is what I’ve circled what people would hunt as funnels?
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They might run some of those ridges you have marked out. I would also check some of those points you don’t have circled and the saddles between them. Some pinch points you may not see until your in there. Put boots to the ground and scout your tail off!!
 
Saddles are a good place to hunt also where to different types of terrain are . Like open woods change into dense forest. Inside Corners are also a good spot. Ridge lines are good areas and look for rubs they can tell you the direction a buck is traveling.
 
My main issue is defining these points from a map. I can usually find them once I’m on the ground. I am just trying to learn to pick out the areas I need to start from on a map prior to arriving at a property. I really want to learn this so I can scout out of state hunts prior to arriving. My weakness is figuring out where to start from looking at a map.
 
I would zero in on the saddles on the map. Check out the creeks on the topo map. Maps are helpful but boots on the ground is the best way to know an area. Most people that hunt out of state will hunt the first day they arrive. I would scout first to find the best spot to set up . I feel it's better to give up a day of hunting to put myself in the best possible spot to harvest an animal.
 
I would zero in on the saddles on the map. Check out the creeks on the topo map. Maps are helpful but boots on the ground is the best way to know an area. Most people that hunt out of state will hunt the first day they arrive. I would scout first to find the best spot to set up . I feel it's better to give up a day of hunting to put myself in the best possible spot to harvest an animal.
I plan when I go out of state to scout at least the first day if not two. So I’m guessing you key on creek beds and funnels to put boots on the ground and find heavy crossings?
 
Yes . Check out rub lines they have been good to me over the years. If you work backwards on rub lines it could take you to a bucks bedding area.
 
Thanks for the help. I am gravy when I get to a location. I just have trouble finding places just off maps.
 
I would start right here. Something about having wind based bedding for every wind direction, a nice saddle and a creek bottom would make me have to look. I about guarantee there’s deer bedding there when the oaks in the creek are dropping.
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