How to tell perimeter scrape from primary?

[shawnhu]

I've heard this before, but how can one tell the difference between a primary scrape from those at the perimeter? And how does one hunt the primary and when?

How far is the perimeter from the primary usually?

[sweet old bill]

No hanging tree limb on the scrape that the buck will crew on while visiting the scrape.

[adkbuck]

Shawnhu, Scrape hunting is certainly an inexact science, to say the least. I shot my first buck over a scrape and have taken a number of bucks on scapelines so I think scrapes are worth hunting, especally in the late prerut and early rut. From my experience, secondary or perimeter scrapes are usually made before the rut and are often in random locations. The name "perimeter" can be misleading since they can be made on the edge of forage fields out of cover and away from primary scrape areas but I have watched them being made in cover by bucks following a group of does before the rut. I prefer to call these smaller random scrapes secondary scrapes. I have often watched bucks make secondary scrapes early in the season in areas where does frequent and also in the presence of does and never revisit them again. Primary scrapes on the other hand are made in cover and and are revisted again and again, often buy more than one buck and also by does. Primary scrapes tend to be be much larger and more dug out compared to secondary scrapes. Primary scrapes always have an overhanging branch and the branch usually broken or chewed up a bit. The are freshened up every day or two until the chase phase begins. I haven't read much about it but I often find droppings in primary scrapes. They are usually are smaller pellets so I believe they are being left by does. Good luck hunting!

[phade]

Lots of good info there from ADK.

I'd abandon the use of perimeter scrapes as a name...secondary is more accurate.

Primary scrapes or community scrapes will be in areas of cover that can be hit in daylight with protection. Field edge scrapes are not often productive for hunting unless it is extremely low pressure or has cover (say a switchgrass field, standing corn, etc.).

I really like hunting a primary scrape between the third week in October and into the first few days of November. Most of my cam sets show the mature bucks peak visit between Nov. 4-6 and then they start to cool off as they halt signposting and starting finding the receptive does. I do like to hunt the scrape after a rain that has kept the deer bedded (ie a very stiff wind and rainy day or night). I find they'll visit those scrapes, probably because they haven't done so in a while and to refresh them after a rain.

Look for slight trails downwind of the scrape, as mature bucks will often scent check the area. I find this the best place to have your set.

[shawnhu]

Was out today trying to connect or educate myself with finding signs. Most of the scrapes no longer look fresh to me, as I went around and put some leaves in them to make sure if it gets refreshed, I'd know.

I was able to find a rub that looked fresh, but am not sure. I'm seeing droppings that also look fresh, and an area that looks like multiple deer are in the area with different types of droppings. Some round and others long. Stepped on some brown ones too, which is weird because I've only seen black. This thing had lots of "hay" in the brown.

I was told by another hunter there that around 3:30, a buck ran 2 does across the street into the hunting area. I guess they are still chasing.

[phade]

Look for sign of them opening up again in the next week or so as some does, a small percent, will go into estrous. Its a real small amount, but if you do see it, then that might help you key in on a buck.

[shawnhu]

Saw a scrape re-opened yesterday in a primary location. We hit the area in the afternoon, with no luck. I've found 3 separate primary scrapes in this location thus far.

[Elmo]

Found this a couple of these today. This didn't look like no ordinary scrape. Deer prints and poop all in it. What the heck is the deer doing?