Mock scrapes have become a game-changer for deer hunters looking to attract bucks during the rut. My phone buzzed with excitement when I saw a young buck interacting with the HODAG HempScent Rope I’d placed on a well-used trail. Over 45 years of hunting, I’ve tried countless methods, but mock scrapes stand out as one of the most powerful tools to bring bucks in close. Whether it’s natural scrapes or a mock scrape setup, understanding deer communication through scent is essential. Let me guide you through the process of creating mock scrapes and using deer toys to draw bucks directly to your hunting setup.
Over my last 45 years of hunting, I’ve learned a few things about deer hunting. Plenty of mistakes were made along the way, and I’ve tried some crazy things – some of which actually worked, in turn revolutionizing the way I hunt. Two of the most significant involved making and hunting over mock scrapes, along with my newest introduction to the world of deer toys. Allow me to explain.
About Deer Scrapes
We’ve all seen them, but when I checked with a sample group of hunters, I was surprised to learn how few understood why deer make scrapes, and more importantly, how to hunt them. So, what do we need to know about rubs and scrapes? Scrapes are arguably the most important communication tool used by whitetail deer from the earliest pre-rut, on through to the end of the successive estrus periods. In agricultural areas, first deer scrapes of the year begin to show up along field edges and tree lines. These broadly defined territorial markers serve as sign posts and communication tools. Bucks and does both visit these regularly, paw the ground to expose fresh earth, and stand in scrapes, then urinate in them. Scrapes are almost always made under some type of overhanging branches. These are referred to as licking branches as bucks lick them and rub their orbital glands on them to deposit scent. Urine deposited in the scrapes, and glandular secretions left on the branches, contain pheromones that indicate breeding readiness. Other deer visiting these sites detect the hormonally charged scents to identify which deer was there, and whether they were bucks or does. This behavior persists and gradually builds throughout the pre-rut in September and October. As the rut proper approaches, scrapes are visited more frequently by both bucks and does. In my view, scrapes are the number one most important sign that deer hunters should pay attention to.
Throughout September and the early part of October, bucks will make boundary scrapes to mark their home range. Again, as a bow hunter in the early season, I make note of these but it is only when the late October pre-rut heats up in preparation for breeding season, that I begin focusing my attention on these critical signposts.
Primary scrapes are the be all and end all for serious whitetail deer hunters. Among all of the boundary, or secondary scrapes, made by resident bucks, throughout much of the Canada and the U.S., by the end of October – in any given area, bucks will begin to focus on a select number of scrapes in areas that they consider most accessible to resident does. These are loosely defined as primary scrapes. These typically look bigger, deeper, and fresher than others in the area. As bucks work their scrape lines, they will continue to open secondary scrapes in an effort to monitor does for breeding readiness, but as soon as the first estrus occurs, they will step up their monitoring efforts to focus on those primary scrapes. Biologists typically say that bucks will visit those primary scrapes once or more every 24-to-48 hours, particularly when does are in estrus. What does this mean for the whitetail hunter? As both a bow hunter and as a gun hunter, I have learned to set up stands and ground blinds in close proximity to these primary scrapes. And even more importantly, I’ve learned to make at least one, and sometimes more competing mock scrapes adjacent to these primaries.
If you’ve spent time in the deer woods then you know that after the first estrus, most scrapes are abandoned and it is only those primary scrapes that continue to be serviced – and less frequently at that. As the second estrus hits, usually 10-to-14 days later, those primary scrapes are worked up and bucks and does continue to use them to communicate with one another. Then, almost overnight, as the post rut hits with a vengeance, deer eventually abandon their scrapes altogether.
Competing Deer Scrapes
The best tip I can offer, aside from focusing on primary scrapes, is to make and hunt over a mock scrape strategically placed along a heavily traveled natural scrape line. I’ve taken many bucks over scrapes that I made myself. Sometimes natural scrapes are made in places less conducive to setting a tree stand or ground blind. By crafting a mock scrape that, in essence, competes with the natural scrape, we “call out” the resident bucks and lay down a challenge. The key lies in making your mock scrape look and smell as good, or even better, than the natural one. Dominant bucks in particular, are usually eager to accept the challenge and they will often take over the mock scrape, servicing it themselves.
Care should be taken when making a mock scrape. I like to wear gloves and use a stick to scrape back the ground anywhere from two or three feet in diameter. As a rule, I kick back the leaves and earth in one direction to make it look natural. I then spray scent in the scrape. I’ve had incredible success with Tink’s Scrape Starter and have taken many bucks with a bow and a gun using this combination. Doe estrus scent is a must, but if you really want to fabricate the air of legitimate competition, consider using dominant buck scent as well. Don’t overdo it. Remember, a deer’s sense of smell is strong. A little goes a long way. It’s more important to service your scrape daily. The fresher you make the mock scrape look and smell, the better.
As I said, one of the biggest problems we all face when looking to place a mock scrape in front of a stand or blind, is the absence of a decent licking branch where we prefer to put the scrape. My initial introduction to commercial mock scrape accessories and deer toys, was during the 2023 fall season. Filming for Wild TV’s Bowzone Live show, the producer provided samples for us to experiment with, and document for the show. They literally make the perfect solution for mock scrapes, with their HODAG Licking Branch System.
The system comes with a FlexPlate™, three anchoring screws, and an 8 oz. bottle of AllSeason Scent™. AllSeason Scent™ is made of 100% natural compounds, containing no deer urine or glandular scent. Using a patented spring set-up, allows the Licking Branch System to bounce up and down, mimicking the movement of a natural branch. Robust, it handles the abuse of even the most aggressive whitetail bucks. Using a T30-sized torx head, this mock scrape system can be mounted on any tree using the included anchoring screws or a 1″ ratchet strap. Treat the installed licking branch with some of the the included AllSeason Scent™, and you’ll jumpstart physical interaction on your mock scrape licking branch setup. This attracts bucks to leave their scent purposely or inadvertently on your mock scrape, triggering a snowball effect of deer scent communication.
Best Deer Toy … Ever
As far as deer toys is concerned, I was honestly skeptical. Marry the mock scrape strategy during the pre- and peak rut period, with the use of deer toys throughout the early season, and you’re sure to attract more action to your stand sites. I’ve seen a lot of gimmicks in the hunting industry, and I wasn’t sure what to think about it. Pleasantly surprised by the results, after having one of them out for only a few hours, deer were magically visiting, and actually playing with them!
Another HODAG Outdoors product, these toys are now an integral part of my deer hunting arsenal. One of my favourites is their HempScent Rope Multi-Setup System. It comes in a package containing a thick 6’ length of ¾” HempScent rope and an 8 oz. bottle of AllSeason Scent™ essentially Hodag’s unique blend of attractant that deer find irresistible. Initially, I had my doubts about the whole Hemp thing, but I can tell from firsthand experience, that this is no gimmick. Something about it draws deer in like moths to a flame. To make the rope go as far as possible, I cut it into six-foot-long lengths. Before placing it out in the woods, I soak it with the AllSeason Scent™. Tying a length of paracord on to each piece, then hanging it at head height, ideally where I want deer to stop and play with it, I’ve learned that I can condition them to visit and pause for a few minutes to play with it. While does will check it out, I find that bucks especially, like to bump the rope around with their antlers. This is ideal for any stand hunter, and especially for bowhunters. Having the ability to stop the deer right where you want them to stand for a shot, is extremely advantageous.
As hunters, we understand the value and power of deer scent communication. What many don’t know is that deer communicate via scent year-round. This HempScent Rope can be effectively used over a mock scrape as well. It allows you to make mock scrapes exactly where you want them to achieve year-round deer interaction. Hanging the HempScent Rope, and applying the AllSeason scent to create initial interaction, you can jumpstart a mock scrape to put deer in front of your trail camera or deer stand, almost instantly.
HODAG, also makes something called the Licking Stick which is basically sticking mounting system that you can set up in any desired location to pause deer to sniff and lick wherever you want them to stand still. Similarly, it comes with a Licking Stick FlexPlate™, a couple 12″ anchoring stakes, and an 8 oz. bottle of AllSeason Scent™. Natural licking sticks are used by deer, for scent communication year-round. The Licking Stick System gives you everything you need to create a Licking Stick where you choose whether that be in front of your trail camera or in front of your deer hunting stand or blind. Basically, you can use it to establish a deer scent communication hub similar to a mock scrape that will be used year-round by taking advantage of a whitetail deer’s natural behavior and curiosity. Treat the mock licking stick with their AllSeason Scent™ and you’ll start seeing action in no time.
If you’ve never used mock scrapes or deer toys before, don’t let another season go by without it. You won’t regret it.
