I have been monitoring scrapes with cameras year-round for about a decade. In Northwest Pennsylvania, I’ve observed that the last two weeks of August tend to show a slowdown in scrape activity. This year has been no different, as I’ve noticed a decrease in activity over the past few days, despite the unseasonably cool temperatures we’ve been experiencing. However, interesting occurrences continue to happen at the scrapes.
Dancing Does
Having cameras that capture high-quality content from a distance is essential. The New SpyPoint Flex Dark is a 40-megapixel camera with a trigger speed of just 0.3 seconds. It features a detection range of 100 feet and can record in 1080p video resolution. In the video, you can see three does near the back treeline, which is approximately 80 yards away. These does are displaying behaviors of dominance, as they challenge each other on their hind legs and use their hooves to spar. Even though the deer aren’t actively interacting with the scrape, a well-placed camera can capture a wide range of unique activities.
Why So Many Does?
During the last two weeks of August, I see mature does working a lot of my scrapes. I believe there are a few reasons for this. First, does are sticking to the bean fields for a lot of their food. Second, Bucks are switching up food sources and hotting the acorns that are falling from the oaks. Lastly, does want the bucks to know who they are for breeding. I have numerous videos of this mature doe working the inside corner scrape almost every day. Let those mature does work the scrapes and signal to the bucks who they are.
Water Holes
My fellow writing mentor, Joe Byers, emphasized the importance of having waterholes on one’s property in his article, “Waterholes for Deer 2.0.“ On my twelve acres, I have two waterholes: one holds 110 gallons, and the other holds 40 gallons. I like to set up a mock scrape near the larger waterhole to encourage bucks to interact with it. Using a well-placed camera, I can monitor the deer that visit either the waterhole or the mock scrape. Recently, a young buck spent about five minutes at the waterhole before he worked on the Buckbranch attached to the cedar post. A strategically placed waterhole not only attracts deer for a drink but also positions them within bow range for a shot.
Tough Call
Bucks are about to shed their velvet, which means we’re about to get a clearer view of their true size! It’s always exciting when their antlers start to transition and they begin to show their potential. This week, I spotted an intriguing 8-pointer at one of my scrapes. After analyzing the video multiple times, I’m still undecided about including him on my “Hit List.” He has a nice spread, but his brow tines are a bit short, and he could use some more mass. With some more mature bucks around, I believe it might be wise to let him grow another year to see how he really develops. As the season progresses and bucks explore the scrapes post-velvet, I’m looking forward to gathering more insights for my decisions!
New #1
Every time I head out to hunt on the three properties, I feel a thrill of excitement for what surprises nature has in store! Deer are fascinating travelers, often roaming far and wide in search of food and mates, so it’s always an adventure when a new buck visits one of my scrapes. Just this week, a stunning wide 9-pointer made an appearance at the inside corner scrape on the 100-acre farm, and he’s quickly shot to the top of my “Hit List” for this property. He seems to love the BuckRope and Head-Scratcher Gland Lure. I’m eager to see what happens next!
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