Scrapes?


natethebowhunter

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you should look by low hanging branches and aroud deer trails. I find most of mine by low branches on my loggin trail.

Found a scrape line here along a logging road last weekend, not far from some intersecting trails. Hung a scrape dripper close to one of the existing scrapes and put a camera up there. Scrapes are almost always going to have a licking branch about 3-4 feet hanging above the ground.

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Scrapes are located anywhere there is a tight point in a natural funnel, in or around deer bedding areas, following rub lines, along field edges, and most importantly any funnel that goes between a bedding and feeding area. Look for an area you know a buck is comfortable using, with ample cover to conceal him in a funnel.

A mature buck will have a primary scrape area, and that can either mean a long line of scrapes along a rub line, or even 3 or 4 main scrapes under a single tree. The most important part of a scrape is the licking branch(can be anywhere from 5-10), deer will nip off the ends, and rub their pre orbital glands over it(located under the eyes). This relays herd information as to what does are in the area and receptive to the mature bucks breeding aggression.

Scrapes along field edges in pressured areas(which most are) usually will be visited only in the security of darkness, no mature buck likes to expose himself in open areas at anytime, until the pre rut and rut when a bucks breeding aggression makes him move in daylight hours to conquer estrous does.

Primary pre rut scrape areas are your best bet of the whole season in my eyes. None of the does at this time are in estrous, and that means the ground and surrounding cover take the punishment of the mature bucks breeding aggression. Bucks are vigorous at this time and start to question any buck surrounding them. Dominance is established at this time. Hunt a primary scrape area sparingly and try not to leave any trace of your presence, otherwise the buck thats making them might just adjust his time frame as to when he tends them, or travels that particular route.

Rut scrapes tend to be hit or miss because of the time of year. Does lead bucks around on very unpredictable routes and most of the time it doesn't include around rub lines or scrape lines. Bucks still tend to scrapes during the rut, all I'm saying is pre rut is your best bet for hunting over rub lines, scrapes or primary scrape areas.

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Guest philipwhittaker

I think Mossysnpr's reply was outstandingly informative for all people seeking such answers. Thanks. I have found about 10 - 20 scrapes around the entire edge of my corn field and also on high traveled trails. Just look at tall grass or leafy areas to determine the trails then follow them and scan the area. At this point of the year the ground should be leaf covered unless you rake all your acreage. . . lol but anyway follow the trails and search the edges of fields in which trees surround I'm sure you'll see something. Good luck and keep us posted.

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