Mock Scrapes

[uptracker]

What do you choose to put on your mock scrapes and have you noticed a better reaction to one scent than another?

[HunterHads]

After using mock scrapes at my hunting locations for the last 5 years I finally had good luck with them last year and had them taken over by bucks. I watched 6 bucks come to the scrapes 5 were 1.5 yo and 1 was a 2.5yo. For scent I started the scrape about Oct 21 and just peed in it my self. The next weekend the scrapes were twice as big. Around Halloween weekend I started using BF rut formula and it worked great. They kept hitting them hard through the rut. Then in the post rut I started to pee in it myself again.

[kotz21]

I bought the "scrapemaker". It works really well, found it in the woods and water mag. First time i used it was last year and with two days of making a mock scrape my brother in law cashed in on an 8 pt.I think the scents they offered to me in the pack were synthetic and seemed to work.....good luck

[marksman72]

I've always had good success with Kishel's 100% Deer Urines, gels and gland lures. The Mock-Scrape Kit is the way to go as far as glandular attractants are concerned. Along with using their 100% buck and doe urine in the Scrape, Kishel's Mock-Scrape Kit is the "added touch" in making your scrape come alive. I've also used them with a deer-cam with also good success. Remember to wear rubber gloves and boots when doing so. Check 'em out.

http://www.kishelscents.com/COMERSUS...?idCategory=29

[HOOKSnHORNS1]

Number one priority with scrapes is to keep your human scent to as minimal as possible. There are some very good products out there and try to stick with the freshest. Also, there are no "set rules" as to making scrapes. Everyone has so called "secrets", so try to gain as much info as possible from reliable sources. What has worked for me is to place as least 2-3 scrapes in a location that you plan to hunt. Hunt the bedding area as close as possible, so he feels he doesnt have to travel much in order to just scent check. Mark each scrape with a different scent. Scent mark during Summer with a few sprays of urine. During Summer, the licking branck is the key. There are good licking branch products exclusively available for this, if not, try plain urine. Deer lick themselves all the time, so don't think this is not natural. Next, leave it alone and see if a buck(s) will hit it. If not, try another area. You should know within a week or two or maybe sooner. As the season gets closer spray the scrapes a little more and condition the bucks to think that another is coming around more often. Just remember, scrape hunting is not a magic potion, but another tool in your bag of tricks. You need deer in your area. Give them a reason to be there be it bedding areas, feeding areas or just a stop along the way.

Good Luck and let us know how it worked out.

[walleyeman2006]

..i have some synthetic hoof scent....seems to work perty well but even with out any scent once a scrape is open usually ill get a buck to keep it open....clipping some deer hair and leaving it lay around has worked too

ive purposly left my own scent around mock and real scrapes just to see.......certain areas of the state seem to be very different ont he amount of human scent deer will tolerate...

[HunterHads]

Here is a video I took of a small 6pt that came to my mock scrapes last Nov.
http://www.freewebs.com/hunterhads/myhuntingvideos.htm

[gunfun13]

Hunter Hads, very cool video, thanks for sharing.


The biggest buck I've even seen while hunting left a hot doe to check a natural scrape I pee'd in an hour before, so I don't see why it wouldn't work for a mock scrape. Why I didn't set up right over the scrape instead of 60 yards away I still don't know. I've also heard people who swear by putting cherry chapstick on the licking branch. I plan to try the chapstick on a licking branch this year, the idea being that deer will lick the branch and leave their natural scent on it, then after that I will create scrape underneath using my own urine.

BTW..I tried a dripper a few years ago with "ACTIVE SCRAPE" with no success but know others who have had good experiences with them.

[Rustyaxecamp]

Hads- Very cool video.

I have used the Activecsrape dripper and their scent every year for appx 10 years, from Midland to the central/western UP and all areas in between. Had mixed results. Sometimes it gets taken over, other times I have had them make a real scrape 6' away from my mock one and never pay any attention to mine. Several times I think I caused them to make and check scrapes in spots they may have not otherwise done it in.

Never felt it hurt my hunting, so I'll keep doing it.

[swoosh]

I have shot 1 mature buck over Mock scrapes. If you are trying to shoot any buck any of the above should work.

If your after a mature deer scrapes are pretty tough to hunt. Being 90% of mature bucks visit them at night. Your odds are pretty low. I just got tired of looking at dirt

[HunterHads]

I dont feel it hurts in any way to have them out at your spots tho. Like the two I hunt where I shot the video of that little 6 point. Sure a big buck may not come to the scrape but I dont think its something that is going to keep him from moving through the area in daylight.

[Gilbey]

I always go by the philosophy that it doesn't hurt. I have had success, and other times no action.

I now have two of those big ole community scrapes that I've started over the last couple of years. Started them both out with just doe urine, then I add straight buck urine a few weeks later.

The one thing that I learned over trying to start a few of them was that you shouldn't use the estrous too early. When it's very un natural smelling at that particular time, it drives the deer away. I don't put any mating scents in until late Oct/early Nov.

It's fun to watch the successful ones grow in use. And I'm a firm believer that at some point, you will catch that big one freshening it over the day time.

[Sib]

I've used them in the past. One thing I've noticed is that mature deer tend to check scrapes from a distance and sift the air from cover. If I use a mock scrape I don't hunt over it, I'll hunt a good ways from it and downwind of the cover that is downwind of the scrape.

Wind --->
0--------C---X

In crude diagram above, 0 would be the scrape, C would be a trail in decent cover and X would be where I hunted. To me it's just too darn easy to get picked off crowding a scrape, especially when bucks almost always approach from downwind of a scrape in the best cover availble. Placement of the scrape, imo, is more important than whatever product goes in it.

[Mule Skinner]

I plan to experiment with a couple of mock scrapes this year for the first time.

I think I am going to try Buck Fever synthetics.

From what I've read, scent control including the use of rubber gloves is a must. Also good Locations would help to increase your odds. I would say trails/paths between feeding and bedding areas that are commonly used by does. Also pick a spot that has a licking branch over head.

The saliva and scent left here is communication to other deer that may come into it and scent check it. Another trick that I read about and plan to try this Fall , is to find a natural scrape already being used on some different property. Using rubber gloves and all other scent free methods take a zip lock bag and a small shovel and steal some dirt from that scrape and put that dirt into your mock scrape . Baby sit it a few times when the wind is right between Oct 31-Nov 14th and see what shows up. I try to pull some all day sits during the dates I mentioned. Also, don't let the rain keep you on the couch. I've heard that a buck will go back and freshen up a scrape after a rain fall

I'd like to see this thread kicked back up this Fall during Season to see who is experimenting with mock scrapes and what has and hasn't worked for you.

Later