How To Make A Mock Deer Scrape
Wes Delks | Originally published in GameKeepers: Farming for Wildlife Magazine. To subscribe, click here.
The big bodied ten-arrow vigorously pawed at the soil beneath my "mock scrape." He momentarily paused from his search in looking for a girlfriend to leave his calling card for other whitetails. At a mere twenty yards, I identified him as a cleaved-tined warrior I wanted to wrap my tag around.
Dirt went flight half-dozen feet behind him as he went through the motions of working the scrape. Afterward he scraped the debris out of a circle about iv feet in diameter, he then urinated on the bare soil and started thrashing the licking branch simply to a higher place his head. At this betoken I took the opportunity to silently describe my bow and place an arrow just behind his shoulder.
By creating a mock scrape at the right location I had set myself upwardly for a keen shot opportunity. In fact, this scrape was one of iii that I had created on this belongings; but, not all scrapes are created every bit. Location, timing, reducing scent transfer and proper positioning of the stimuli (licking branch, dripper, etc.) are all important for consistent success.
Past the time a buck makes it through iii or four hunting seasons in a pressured area, he probably is very enlightened of what his main predator smells like…homo. The buck also likely knows what humans await similar and sound like, and has probably seen many of our tools and tricks. If you're devil-may-care in creating your mock scrape, the scrape site may actually have a danger associated with it. But if you create the mock scrape with care and choose proper placement and timing, mock scrapes tin be highly constructive. The procedure for making these mock scrapes is very elementary; make a mock scrape where Mr. Big would actually naturally make a mock scrape and be equally unobtrusive as possible.
The Scrape Itself
co-operative" which is usually about 5 to 5 1/2 feet off of the
ground. The buck interacts with this branch by licking or
chewing on information technology and scent marker it with his forehead and
preorbital glands.
The majority of scrapes are made underneath an overhanging branch (licking branch) which is ordinarily near 5 to v ½ feet off of the ground. About of the time a scrape is made by the buck interacting with this branch past licking or chewing on it and scent mark information technology with his forehead and preorbital glands.
The bodily scrape is fabricated by the buck pawing the footing and whisking the leaves and clay abroad. Then, the majority of the time a buck will urinate down his hocks and over his tarsal glands into it. We want to duplicate these signs as cautiously as a CSI investigator sifts through a crime scene and get out the expanse without any foreign odour-transfer.
You lot can actually employ the buck'south natural existing scrape(due south). In the whitetails' world the same scrape may be utilized past many different bucks. Nonetheless, more oftentimes than not I'll brand my ain, trying to copy the specifics found with the buck's existing scrape(s).
The actual mock scrape is best created with a sturdy stick found in the area. Try to make the scrape on flat ground if possible and make certain information technology is complimentary from all droppings. A heat-activated scent dripper can help with conditioning a buck into showing upwardly during legal lite and spending more time in the area. Some believe it wise to use several drippers and perchance vary the scent in each. With more than than one "mock" you're increasing your chances that something's going to be correct with at least one of them that will draw a response.
Many believe that yous should try to hang the dripper above the actual licking branch if at all possible. This is a good idea since the dripper'southward comprehend is made of material and it may accept had a strange odor permeate it at some point, so it'due south probably all-time to keep information technology out of direct "nose-shot" of a whitetail. While a dripper can aid immensely, especially with workout a buck into showing up during legal shooting light, it's not necessary for success. The mock scrape I shot the "broken-tined ten" out of (written about higher up) was made by only removing the leafage litter underneath some honeysuckle branches a few feet off a deer trail and spraying buck urine in the bare dirt.
Targeting the Best Areas
without ane. Simply opening upward a scrape underneath the correct
tiptop licking branch by removing all the leaf-litter with a sturdy
stick so placing some scent in the scrape, or hanging a
lure-soaked wick in the right place can be all it takes.
Seeking out the correct expanse is of import. You can't simply go out to any overhanging-branch and expect to create a successful mock scrape. Pay less attention to scrapes made on field perimeters and concentrate on ones closer to bedding and secure areas. You want to target an area that a buck is challenge as his. Move in and arrive look and smell like in that location's a rival buck invading his turf. Look for the areas with the largest scrapes, spots that contain numerous scrapes or clusters of scrapes, and scrapes that you know have been freshened once again and again.
Once you discover the expanse, look for the same type of tree with the same peak overhanging branch (licking co-operative or interaction branch) that the buck originally approved of. The interaction branch is normally nigh five to six anxiety off of the footing. Try to indistinguishable the variables that the specific buck that you're subsequently is preferred.
Sometimes you can cutting an bodily licking branch off of a buck'south already existing scrape and transplant it to a tree that suits your needs improve. It'due south all-time to try and duplicate natural conditions, but if it's an bodily licking branch that has been recently worked, y'all tin take a pino branch and adhere information technology to an oak tree and still take success.
Yous tin also relocate an entire tree, if need exist. This obviously works all-time with a tree of manageable size. Secure the tree in some fashion; to a fence mail service or some other tree, or peradventure use a postal service-hole digger or auger to create a hole in which to identify the modest tree. This manner y'all can place a major focal bespeak for whitetail bucks exactly where information technology gives you the best advantage.
Let information technology Be Known!
your odds at a scrape location. It drips scent during
daytime hours, conditioning bucks into showing up during
legal shooting lite when the scent will be at its summit.
Besides the obvious appeal of an attracting smell, I also desire my mock scrape gear up-ups to stand up out visually. This volition catch the attending of bucks that may be passing through upwind. Just this visual stimulus must look natural enough so that you don't miss out on attracting the most wary buck in the area.
One thing that many leading "mock scrape authorities" agree on, is that "mock rubs" can as well increment your chances. Rubs are a nifty way to visually attract a buck that may not odor your set-up. With a pruner or wood-rasp make your own rub on some two to six inch saplings in the area. A real intruder cadet would typically also marking the territory in this style. The illusion you lot want to create is that a foreign buck has moved into his convenance territory. The visual stimuli of new rubs helps sell your scenario to the buck. In this situation, that is likely what a real buck would practice.
It depends on the type of trees, how territorial the bucks are, and the size of the copse every bit to how many rubs are sufficient. Usually a half a dozen or so key trees volition work simply you can create many if you wish. It's best to choose trees that are the same size as the ones that your target buck is using. If the bucks in your area aren't "rub crazy" don't go overboard.
In an surface area that has experienced a lot of pressure you may want to keep things every bit natural-looking as possible. Still, in recent years some hunters have begun to use a rope in place of a licking branch. A large bore hemp rope seems to work swell. This style you can accept the perfect height "licking rope" (in this case) under whatsoever tree you wish. This rope, in some areas, seems to actually attract attending.
The Best Times
that already take a scrape action, target the largest
scrapes, clusters of scrapes, or scrapes you know have
been freshened over again and once again.
Timing is besides of import for mock scrapes to piece of work. In the Midwest and throughout the northern states and Canada, best luck should come from around the 2nd week of October through the first week of November, and so over again afterward Thanksgiving and into the first part of December. In the South, this could be later to much after depending on how far south you get. When the bucks are actively chasing and breeding, mock scrapes are probably non your best tactic.
Don't expect your exact mock scrape(s) to necessarily get hit. Sometimes they may interact with the actual mock scrape, but remember, your goal is but to draw them to the area during legal shooting light for a shot.
Take in the "big movie" of the entire area and employ scrapes in relationship with other factors before making your prepare-upwards – where are the bedding, what are the major nutrient sources at that fourth dimension, etc. If you don't get anything else out of this article, I encourage you to try creating mock scrapes on your property this year, try different areas and use varying methods and scents. Discover how the deer reply uniquely to each of them and then put your plan into activeness.
Source: https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/deer/mock-scrapes-for-mature-bucks
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