Isolated Ridges

[funderburk]

Wanted to share some intel I’ve found to be pretty consistent in the hills. Isolated ridges that are conducive to point bedding most likely have scrapes that are hit in daylight hours. The scrape area can let you know if the bedding area is currently being used and can serve as a funnel/destination spot he uses via his exit route from bedding.

I killed a buck last year hunting this exact feature. I set up 70 yards from his bed and watched him stand up to eat acorns. When I shot him, he was on his way to work the scrape.

This area was screaming hot with fresh sign with at least three active scrapes and a large rub cluster. I was actually headed to a different spot and decided to hunt there because the sign was too hot to pass up.

During my post-season scouting, I confirmed this to be an expected behavioral pattern. It wasn’t always the case, but I found when I located an area that had ALL the necessary terrain/habitat elements (isolated ridge, point bedding, thick cover), it was a slam dunk.

Anywho, hope this helps a fellow hill country beast.

[tgreeno]

How far were the scrapes from the bedding?

Were they located on the top of the ridge? Or on the 1/3 elevation line?

Also, What time of the year was this?

[funderburk]

How far were the scrapes from the bedding?

Were they located on the top of the ridge? Or on the 1/3 elevation line?

Also, What time of the year was this?

Anywhere from 30-150 yards from their bed.

I’ve located them mostly on top of the ridge, but also along benches and along the edge of the bottom of the ridge where the slope meets the flat ground.

I shot that buck in the middle of October. He stood up out of his bed, munched on acorns along the military crest, and finally headed for the scrape on top of the ridge. He moved a total of 30 yards in 45 mins. It was wild to see how slow and methodical he moved.

[tgreeno]

Thanks for the info!

I recently found some great looking hill bedding, that I will definitely be hunting this season. I didn't find any scrapes, but the beds were very well used. Acorns are everywhere on this ridge. Should be a fun time learning this area

[may21581]

When you say isolated are you referring to pressure as well or isolated as in the terrain? I hunt primarily hill country and have taken all my bucks from this type of terrain. You mentioned several things that really stuck out that I have in common with you.
The first is you hunted the hottest sign you seen. In hill country this is important because things change fast. I have had tons of success hunting scrapes and the biggest factor in being successful or not is timing and setup. Several days late and there off somewhere else, too early and you basically ruined it. Set up wrong and your busted. So personally I like hunting scrapes and have learned to time and hunt them properly and sounds like you have too.
Secondly you do alot of spring scouting. In hill country and especially public this is critical. I really didnt have alot of success until I got serious about doing this. Sounds like your scouting is paying off too.
So to the original question about isolated ridges. In hill country especially after the bucks have been pressured their defenses go up dramatically. They will bed in more secure manors and travel in the safest way they can. What is the predominant wind in this area and how does it relate to the area you are describing? Without a doubt this is a huge factor. Also where this buck would bed will most likely give him a tremendous view of the valley below. If this spot you are describing has the thick on top, a commanding view below, good wind and thermals, escape routes and security it would be an excellent spot.
With that said there is one more thing I would like to add. Within the timber there are spots where hunters just dont go. Either it's too rough, too far of a walk, or just dont seem right to them or too simple and silly looking. Reguardless they dont go there. There can be pressure all around the area but this one area has been unmolested and will have great action. All of my bucks have held all the ingredients you have mentioned with the addition of minimal pressure in spots others havent gone or hunted. The bucks were very comftorable moving and traveling within this corridor during legal light.
Travel corridors like you have mentioned must be hunted. How, when, and where is to be determined from spring scouting and in season scouting like you and I have learned to do. The bucks pictured below were taken from very similiar setups.

[Trout]

When you say isolated are you referring to pressure as well or isolated as in the terrain? I hunt primarily hill country and have taken all my bucks from this type of terrain. You mentioned several things that really stuck out that I have in common with you.
The first is you hunted the hottest sign you seen. In hill country this is important because things change fast. I have had tons of success hunting scrapes and the biggest factor in being successful or not is timing and setup. Several days late and there off somewhere else, too early and you basically ruined it. Set up wrong and your busted. So personally I like hunting scrapes and have learned to time and hunt them properly and sounds like you have too.
Secondly you do alot of spring scouting. In hill country and especially public this is critical. I really didnt have alot of success until I got serious about doing this. Sounds like your scouting is paying off too.
So to the original question about isolated ridges. In hill country especially after the bucks have been pressured their defenses go up dramatically. They will bed in more secure manors and travel in the safest way they can. What is the predominant wind in this area and how does it relate to the area you are describing? Without a doubt this is a huge factor. Also where this buck would bed will most likely give him a tremendous view of the valley below. If this spot you are describing has the thick on top, a commanding view below, good wind and thermals, escape routes and security it would be an excellent spot.
With that said there is one more thing I would like to add. Within the timber there are spots where hunters just dont go. Either it's too rough, too far of a walk, or just dont seem right to them or too simple and silly looking. Reguardless they dont go there. There can be pressure all around the area but this one area has been unmolested and will have great action. All of my bucks have held all the ingredients you have mentioned with the addition of minimal pressure in spots others havent gone or hunted. The bucks were very comftorable moving and traveling within this corridor during legal light.
Travel corridors like you have mentioned must be hunted. How, when, and where is to be determined from spring scouting and in season scouting like you and I have learned to do. The bucks pictured below were taken from very similiar setups.

What are you finding in the spring that is giving you that ah ha moment that sets you up to be successful in season scouting in the fall?

[may21581]

I look for spots that make sense on topos. Then boots on the ground scouting in the spring. When you go in you can tell if a spot has the features to be a good big buck spot. I look for scrapes, rubs, beds within (secure) cover. You will hear it over and over again on here that when you are in the bed you have a holy cow moment that blows you away on what they can see, wind, and hear along with an escape route. On public the key is finding spots like this that see minimum pressure. It can be a 5 acre spot or a 100 acre spot. The size doesnt matter if all their needs are met there.

[BigRed]

[/glow][/glow]

When you say isolated are you referring to pressure as well or isolated as in the terrain? I hunt primarily hill country and have taken all my bucks from this type of terrain. You mentioned several things that really stuck out that I have in common with you.
The first is you hunted the hottest sign you seen. In hill country this is important because things change fast. I have had tons of success hunting scrapes and the biggest factor in being successful or not is timing and setup. Several days late and there off somewhere else, too early and you basically ruined it. Set up wrong and your busted. So personally I like hunting scrapes and have learned to time and hunt them properly and sounds like you have too.
Secondly you do alot of spring scouting. In hill country and especially public this is critical. I really didnt have alot of success until I got serious about doing this. Sounds like your scouting is paying off too.
So to the original question about isolated ridges. In hill country especially after the bucks have been pressured their defenses go up dramatically. They will bed in more secure manors and travel in the safest way they can. What is the predominant wind in this area and how does it relate to the area you are describing? Without a doubt this is a huge factor. Also where this buck would bed will most likely give him a tremendous view of the valley below. If this spot you are describing has the thick on top, a commanding view below, good wind and thermals, escape routes and security it would be an excellent spot.
With that said there is one more thing I would like to add. Within the timber there are spots where hunters just dont go. Either it's too rough, too far of a walk, or just dont seem right to them or too simple and silly looking. Reguardless they dont go there. There can be pressure all around the area but this one area has been unmolested and will have great action. All of my bucks have held all the ingredients you have mentioned with the addition of minimal pressure in spots others havent gone or hunted. The bucks were very comftorable moving and traveling within this corridor during legal light.
Travel corridors like you have mentioned must be hunted. How, when, and where is to be determined from spring scouting and in season scouting like you and I have learned to do. The bucks pictured below were taken from very similiar setups.

This is big. i found a similar ridge thats runs roughly 1/2 mile that gets pressure from the parking lot on top, and pressure from both ends of the valley. To access this section of the ridge you have to cross a creek too deep for knee boots but is only 300 yds off the road. It's steep and rocky. I found 3 well worn buck beds just below the 1/3 along the ridge and doe bedding near the point. Also jumped 2 different groups of does spring scouting a few weeks ago. The trick is going to be hunting it early while its still green and thick or they will see me coming. Access from the bottom is also tricky w thermals. However this is a popular trout spot so there is always human scent along the creek, hopefully that can give me some wiggle room. I also plan to use the surrounding pressure during the rut and gun season for a sit, maybe two. The ridge is littered w rubs and there are scrapes on a low bench and along the creek. The key for me is there is zero evidence of human use. No trash, trail tape/tacks and no boot prints which is a feat in Whitewater

[may21581]

One more thing I would like to add is wind. I love hunting windy days in the hills. The wind almost gives them a false sense of security with the fact they have a harder time hearing you and you can get away with alot more. Most of my bucks have been shot on windy days and my best sightings were on windy days. By wind I am referring to 15-25 mph.

[Twenty Up]

Yeah buddy, I’ve noticed similar.

A key ingredient I’ve began to see has been when the ridges “match” or compound with foliage cover. Not every bench or saddle is a good spot to kill a buck, but the ones in proximity/connecting to a habitat edge or that connect various ridge systems can be dynamite.

I realized this last season, then listened to a podcast with Josh Driver and he began mentioning “compounding features” and that’s when it all clicked for me.

[funderburk]

I look for spots that make sense on topos. Then boots on the ground scouting in the spring. When you go in you can tell if a spot has the features to be a good big buck spot. I look for scrapes, rubs, beds within (secure) cover. You will hear it over and over again on here that when you are in the bed you have a holy cow moment that blows you away on what they can see, wind, and hear along with an escape route. On public the key is finding spots like this that see minimum pressure. It can be a 5 acre spot or a 100 acre spot. The size doesnt matter if all their needs are met there.

Could not agree more. Find with maps. Confirm with boots. As Dan says, “Sign don’t lie.”

[funderburk]

When you say isolated are you referring to pressure as well or isolated as in the terrain? I hunt primarily hill country and have taken all my bucks from this type of terrain. You mentioned several things that really stuck out that I have in common with you.
The first is you hunted the hottest sign you seen. In hill country this is important because things change fast. I have had tons of success hunting scrapes and the biggest factor in being successful or not is timing and setup. Several days late and there off somewhere else, too early and you basically ruined it. Set up wrong and your busted. So personally I like hunting scrapes and have learned to time and hunt them properly and sounds like you have too.
Secondly you do alot of spring scouting. In hill country and especially public this is critical. I really didnt have alot of success until I got serious about doing this. Sounds like your scouting is paying off too.
So to the original question about isolated ridges. In hill country especially after the bucks have been pressured their defenses go up dramatically. They will bed in more secure manors and travel in the safest way they can. What is the predominant wind in this area and how does it relate to the area you are describing? Without a doubt this is a huge factor. Also where this buck would bed will most likely give him a tremendous view of the valley below. If this spot you are describing has the thick on top, a commanding view below, good wind and thermals, escape routes and security it would be an excellent spot.
With that said there is one more thing I would like to add. Within the timber there are spots where hunters just dont go. Either it's too rough, too far of a walk, or just dont seem right to them or too simple and silly looking. Reguardless they dont go there. There can be pressure all around the area but this one area has been unmolested and will have great action. All of my bucks have held all the ingredients you have mentioned with the addition of minimal pressure in spots others havent gone or hunted. The bucks were very comftorable moving and traveling within this corridor during legal light.
Travel corridors like you have mentioned must be hunted. How, when, and where is to be determined from spring scouting and in season scouting like you and I have learned to do. The bucks pictured below were taken from very similiar setups.

Yep. We are seeing the exact same things. Everything you’ve mentioned is what I’m finding, as well.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the terrain feature of an isolated ridge (as in seclusion and pressure) promotes mature buck bedding. Then, depending on how thick the point is and how the security cover is laid out will determine 1) whether he beds there or not, and 2) how he orientates himself. He’ll keep the wind over his back for sure, but not always the direction of the point. For example, the tip of an isolated ridge that points north could have security cover that promotes all kinds of different winds for bedding. Basically, the terrain feature provides him the vantage point, but cover within that terrain feature is how he positions himself.

You’re right. Timing is crucial, and probably the most frustrating part. I agree that you just have to keep bouncing around and checking the perimeter of these spots until you find the flashing neon sign that says “HUNT HERE NOW!”

Also, great bucks!

[may21581]

I will add a little humor and lesson 101 to the story since were on the subject. You know alot of these spots where they bed sometimes I never found any sign until I was almost dead smack in their beds in the spring. The places I was finding sign was in transition areas like 200 or more yards away.
So what I would do was I would do a speed scout in these areas for sign before I would hunt it. Because I knew it was like clockwork when the sign was there the big boy was there. Now when the time was right I would check these spots like every other day or so. There not far off the road maybe 30 to 50 yards and for the most part in open areas you wouldnt think to hunt. To check them would literally take me 10 minutes or less.
I had a bad habit of not taking my bow with me when doing this for awhile. Can I tell you I ran into my target bucks twice while doing this with no bow in hand. I had them at 45 yards or less and could only watch them. Talk about a hard lesson learned from a bad habit.
So if you found some good spots look around for a transition or area that can easily be checked without being intrusive to where you will hunt. More than likely there will be an area like this where you hunt. I have found in the hills big bucks like to rub on sumac and pine trees.
Same goes with your cameras. Set them up away from your hunting area in areas like I mentioned above. I dont care if their night photos I just need intell a good one is around. With the spring scouting and in season scouting will determine where he will be once you know hes in the neighborhood. Dont mean to babble, hope this helps.

[funderburk]

I will add a little humor and lesson 101 to the story since were on the subject. You know alot of these spots where they bed sometimes I never found any sign until I was almost dead smack in their beds in the spring. The places I was finding sign was in transition areas like 200 or more yards away.
So what I would do was I would do a speed scout in these areas for sign before I would hunt it. Because I knew it was like clockwork when the sign was there the big boy was there. Now when the time was right I would check these spots like every other day or so. There not far off the road maybe 30 to 50 yards and for the most part in open areas you wouldnt think to hunt. To check them would literally take me 10 minutes or less.
I had a bad habit of not taking my bow with me when doing this for awhile. Can I tell you I ran into my target bucks twice while doing this with no bow in hand. I had them at 45 yards or less and could only watch them. Talk about a hard lesson learned from a bad habit.
So if you found some good spots look around for a transition or area that can easily be checked without being intrusive to where you will hunt. More than likely there will be an area like this where you hunt. I have found in the hills big bucks like to rub on sumac and pine trees.
Same goes with your cameras. Set them up away from your hunting area in areas like I mentioned above. I dont care if their night photos I just need intell a good one is around. With the spring scouting and in season scouting will determine where he will be once you know hes in the neighborhood. Dont mean to babble, hope this helps.

Spot on!

[RidgeGhost]

This is one of the most valuable threads to pop up on this site in a long time. This is solid information and I agree with the findings.

Great post funderburk