LEGEND - TOPO
Black: Approximate Property Boundary
Blue: Creek/Stream



LEGEND - ARIEL VEIW
Yellow Outline: Approximate Property Boundary
Blue: Creek/Stream
Pink: Roads
White: Pastured Areas
Light Yellow Arrows: Approximately a 60 Degree Grade
Green: Area of Pines within Pasture
Light Purple Line In Pasture: Denotes a Break in the 60 Degree Grade Where it drops to more of a 45 Degree Grade



I'm new to trapping but not new to the outdoors. Ask me to find deer trails, sign, rubs, scrapes, etc... and like most others I'm your man. I've been told, and understand, that boots on the ground looking for sign is the only way to go. Again, completely understood. My point in posting this is to ask where you might start looking for such sign? The reason being is that the farmer sees K9's just about everywhere. The hay fields are still green and lush and trying to find any sign in that pasture among the cow & deer tracks and scat is darn near impossible. I know that they're there, so does the farmer, but I have to find the most likely entry and exit points, or travel ways to begin adjusting my way of thinking.

1. I'm thinking the valley with the stream coming down which is located on the left of the property.
2. I'm also thinking the valley with the stream coming down which is located in the middle of the property and follows the ridge line into the creek on the bottom and right of the property.
3. Also the postage stamp shaped woods on the top left of the property/pasture, right next to the stream & valley coming down the mountain.
4. As well as the stand of pines completely encapsulated within the pasture. (Approximately 200-300 yards long and 50-100 yards wide)

I know that there are very seasoned trappers out there who not only just drive by a place, but who will also look at topographical maps to begin to dissect a new property prior to putting boots on the ground. I'm looking for some seasoned/semi-professional help in doing the same thing.

Thank you for your time
Chad

I would start looking for travel routes moving along the valley, right to left in your pictures. They may be denning in the rougher terrain and hunting in the valley, but are likely moving up and down the valley. The right side where the two creeks come together would be where I would start.

Thanks Alaska. Unfortunately I can't get over to where the creek and stream come together until after deer season. It's a beautiful spot. It literally chokes down to about 10 yards between the cliff and the creek. It's the only way to get around that corner unless they turn around and get back up on top of the mountain.

As far as the valley where the farm is, instead of the ravines that come down the mountain, there's a travel way at the bottom of the map along the road that travels along the creek. I've already got that pegged as a setting spot as well as have sign there. But that's literally only 200 yards long. I'm trying to find the same things along the bottom of the mountain or even up in, yet coming down.

From the edge of the pasture and the creek coming off of the mountain and dumping into the creek to the right, from those points down are hay fields and horse pens around the barn.

walk around...find tracks...set traps on tracks. I have never found looking at a map helpful. They could be running through about anywhere for 100 different reasons.

my two cents here, take it for what its worth. if you walk into a cow pasture that has a corner post jutting into it, all the paths will nick that corner. dont know why, but all those critters have a need to walk by that outside corner. same goes for a stand of cedars. cow paths, dirt two tracks, outside corners, and transitions. when in doubt go out after a dusting of snow, then no more doubts.