Arizona Hunting Club & Outdoor Adventure Group

Scouting Field Saddles on
Topographic Hunting Maps

Field saddles are low spots in open fields that hide elk and deer from view of any nearby roads. They usually provide quick routes when moving from one piece of cover to another. While elk and deer will use the these field saddles at any time of the day, they will use them most frequently during the rut and especially at the tail end of the rut when they are traveling around a lot searching for the last remaining females receptive to breeding. Field saddles are excellent places to hunt during midday hours. From this viewpoint, you cannot really see the travel routes that are secluded in the middle of this open field.

However, get a little closer and you can see the shadows and the depth created by the field saddles that allow elk and deer to travel without being seen.

Get closer to the creek bed and you will find a game trail every time. The only question is the trail hot or cold.

1. Stock Tanks
2. Ridges
3. Ridge End Points
4. Game Trail Hubs
5. Saddles and Dips in the Ridge
6. Hillside Benches
7. Forest/Pastures/Burn Breaklines
8. Field Saddles/Creek Beds
9. Hilltop Field Funnels
10. Forest Inside and Double Inside Corners
11. Natural Funnels/Chokepoints