A GPS is a tool. A topographic map is knowledge. Here is how to read contour lines, identify terrain features, and find the places that produce animals and fish.
Contour Lines: The Foundation
A contour line connects all points at the same elevation. Understanding contour lines lets you visualise three-dimensional terrain from a two-dimensional map — the core skill that separates effective navigation from GPS dependency.
Closely spaced lines = steep terrain. When contour lines are crowded together, you are looking at a cliff, steep slope, or bluff.
Widely spaced lines = gentle terrain. A flat valley floor, gentle ridge, or plateau.
V-shapes pointing uphill = gullies and drainage lines. These carry water and are the routes animals use to travel through steep country.
V-shapes pointing downhill = ridges and spurs. High ground that connects features and provides vantage points.
Finding Game on a Map
Before entering country, identify these features:
- Water sources: Creeks, soaks, dams. In dry conditions, game concentrates here.
- Saddles: Low points on ridgelines where animals cross between drainages. These are crossing points and travel corridors.
- Benches: Flat ground on a steep slope — these areas collect feed and moisture and attract deer and game.
- North-facing slopes: In cold weather, north-facing slopes get more sun, hold more warmth, and attract animals seeking thermal benefit.
Map Scale
1:25,000 is the standard scale for serious navigation — enough detail to identify individual gullies and benches. 1:50,000 provides regional overview but lacks the detail needed for precise route planning in complex terrain. Always carry the most detailed map available for your area.
steep terrain. If the V-shapes point downhill instead, you are looking at ridges or spurs extending from main ridgelines. Index contours are thicker lines marked with elevation numbers, typically every fifth contour line. These help you quickly determine your elevation and the elevation change across terrain features. ## Reading Water Features and Animal Movement Water sources are magnets for wildlife, making them critical to understand on your topographic map. Streams and creeks appear as blue lines, with the direction of flow indicated by the way the contour lines cross them. Remember: water always flows from higher to lower elevation. Springs are often marked with a small symbol or may appear where drainage lines begin seemingly from nowhere. These permanent water sources are goldmines for hunters, as animals regularly visit them for drinking, especially during dawn and dusk periods when [tracking animals](https://wildrangelife.com/blog/how-to-track-animals-read-sign-australia) becomes most productive. Swamps and wetlands appear as blue shaded areas or marsh symbols. While these can be challenging to navigate, they offer excellent hunting opportunities for waterfowl and can serve as thermal cover for larger game during hot weather. Pay attention to saddles — low points along ridgelines where contour lines form an hourglass shape. Animals use these natural passes to move between valleys, making them ideal locations for treestands or glassing positions. The [Garmin eTrex 32x GPS](AMAZON_LINK) ($250-300) can help you mark these crucial waypoints for future reference. ## Slope Angle Calculations for Safety and Strategy Understanding slope angles is crucial for both safety and hunting strategy. You can estimate slope angles using the contour interval and horizontal distance between lines. For most Australian topographic maps with 20-metre contour intervals: - Lines touching = approximately 45-degree slope (dangerously steep) - 1mm spacing = roughly 30-degree slope (steep but manageable) - 2mm spacing = about 20-degree slope (moderate) - 4mm spacing = approximately 10-degree slope (gentle) Slopes steeper than 30 degrees become difficult to climb with a loaded pack, while anything over 45 degrees requires technical climbing skills. Use these calculations to plan safe routes and identify terrain that game animals prefer — most large game avoids slopes steeper than 25 degrees except when escaping predators. For challenging [alpine terrain navigation](https://wildrangelife.com/blog/bogong-high-plains-alpine-walk-four-days), understanding these slope calculations becomes even more critical when weather conditions can change rapidly. ## Vegetation and Terrain Association Topographic maps include vegetation symbols that provide crucial hunting intelligence. Different terrain features support different plant communities, which in turn attract different species of game. North-facing slopes in the Southern Hemisphere receive less direct sunlight, supporting cooler, moister vegetation communities. Look for symbols indicating dense forest or scrubland on these slopes — they often provide thermal cover for deer and pigs during hot days. South-facing slopes receive maximum sun exposure, supporting grasslands and open woodlands. These areas are excellent for glassing because game animals often feed in these open areas during cooler morning and evening hours. Riparian zones along waterways support the densest vegetation, indicated by closely packed tree symbols or green shading on some maps. These corridors serve as highways for animal movement and provide both food and cover. ## Navigation Techniques Without GPS While modern GPS units are invaluable, developing map and compass skills ensures you are never completely lost if technology fails. These skills become particularly important when [navigating at night](https://wildrangelife.com/blog/how-to-navigate-night-australian-bush) or in poor visibility conditions. The [Suunto A-10 Compass](AMAZON_LINK) ($35-50) is a reliable backup that weighs practically nothing. **Triangulation** involves taking bearings to at least two known landmarks visible both on the map and from your position. Where these bearing lines intersect on your map marks your location. Choose prominent features like mountain peaks, radio towers, or distinctive ridgelines for the most accurate results. **Handrail navigation** means following linear features like ridgelines, fence lines, or creek beds that appear on your map. These natural or man-made features provide continuous position confirmation and help prevent navigation errors in poor visibility. **Attack points** are large, unmistakable features like lakes, major ridges, or roads