Mock Scrapes

[Hunter9396]

Hey guys just wondering what the benefit is for a mock scrape.. What does it do, how does it work, & do you think this is a good time of the year to use one

[monkeyman2269]

Put a trail cam on it shows you most of the bucks in the area. And some times the check them in the day so u can shoot them. Really hunt them after a rain they like to freshen up

Edited October 6, 2015 by monkeyman2269

[Jaeger]

Just bought a code blue doe scrape kit, the soil impregnated stuff.

 

Same questions generally, is it too early to start using it?

 

And where?  I was grouse hunting and didn't see any scrapes out yet.

 

How close to a trail and what kind of trails to use on?  Major runs or those faint buck runs that run yards away parallel to the major runs?

 

Any advice would help us as this stuff is expensive $$$!!! and I don't want to waste it putting it out too early or in a wrong location.

 

Thanks.

[NYBuckHunter27]

Defiantly not too early, i have seen scrapes on field edges already. the weather will dictate that type of behavior at this time of the year. as far as location, just off of a run would be ideal or maybe a previous scrape that hasn't been worked yet this year. i also used the Grave Digger which i believe is what your talking about, i've had limited success with it but defiantly is a good tool for seeing whats in your area, but not as good as the real thing...

[Taylormike]

They must have a licking branch.  Some experts will argue it is as crucial or even more important than the scrape itself.  If you scout in another area from where you hunt, you can remove the licking branch and zip tie to your designated area.  This has the potential of creating a buck frenzy if done right.  You need to make sure you are as scent free as possible...

[Fletch]

Why buy when you can get for free. I go to a friends property that is too small to hunt and grab dirt from the scrapes and overhead branches and make my own. Did one last year and had 3 different bucks in the mock in the first 3 days I sat the stand. Myself I plan on waiting till the weekend of 10/17 to do this. This year I plan on making a scrape line of 2 or 3 instead of one alone.

[beachpeaz]

Mock scrapes to me are more of an inventory tool than a hunting tool.  Early season you may be succesful in finding a deer working a scrape line, but more than likely at night.  I've found more frustration in hunting a specific scrape than success.  They do however give you good intel of the area to locate bedding and food sources if you do your homework.  That is where the money is at!  I have a set of pictures from a scrape that has at least 7 different bucks visiting it daily.  They are a major communication piece for deer.  We set a stand location about 30 yards from it and I put a friend in that location.  He hunted an entire week without a single sighting of any of the mature bucks that visited it (yeah, he could have shot a 1.5 year old 4 point, but I assume that is not what you are after).  Don't get caught up in a single hunting sigh, but use them all to your advantage.