Your stand, therefore, should be along the side of the ridge rather than overlooking the ridge-top scrape. A common funnel in this instance is the head of a wash on the side of the ridge. Rather than negotiate the steep-sided ditch, deer tend to cross at the top of the wash, making it an ideal location for a stand. In fact, you're wasting time if you hunt any ridge-top scrape that doesn't have some type of funnel along the hillside to bring deer within range. Pay special attention to wind currents on hillsides because they are often swirling and tricky.
Bucks traveling the sides of ridges tend to cross at points that extend from the main ridgeline.
One advantage of a stand on a point is that the winds there are less fickle than those on hillsides and in bowls. Too Close Your stand should always be downwind of a scrape and 40 to 60 yards or more away from it, if the terrain allows. Bowhunters frequently set their stands within 20 yards of scrapes, which in most cases is too close. Yes, a buck may saunter right up to the scrape, but generally he stays well back to scent-check for does. If your stand is too close to the scrape, the buck may never come within range.