Are you as excited as I am to watch deer interact with scrapes? It’s truly fascinating! Throughout the year, I enjoy observing their intriguing communication at my mock scrapes. Each experience teaches me more about their unique behaviors and the fantastic way they use glands to connect with each other. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together from the scrape!
Action Every Night
Since the beginning of August, the activity at my scrapes has been intense. In Northwest Pennsylvania, a small cold front recently moved in, causing temperatures to drop into the high 40s overnight and early morning. Bucks have been actively visiting the scrapes, using their preorbital gland as well as their foreheads. I observed a 9-point buck vigorously hitting the BuckRope with both of its preorbital glands.
Competition at the Scrape
Competition at the scrape will pick up throughout August. Older bucks will maximize time at the scrape while younger bucks usually patiently wait their turn. During this time, most older bucks will tolerate younger bucks around them in their bachelor groups. This 9-point is hogging the scrape, but the young buck doesn’t want to wait. Watch the younger buck wrap his antlers around the 9- point’s neck and forcefully move him out of the scrape.
Dominant Doe
Dominant does don’t mess around. They will work a scrape before the younger bucks have a chance to step in. I love it when the dominant doe communicates at the scrape while the younger bucks watch. She will assert her dominance and work the scrape with her preorbital and forehead gland while the younger bucks watch.
Get Em to Stop
Archery season is getting closer every day, and one of my favorite strategies is to stop a buck before he enters a food plot. This approach allows me to identify which buck is approaching and see if any other deer are accompanying him.
I have set up a vine scrape at the entrance of my food plot, which effectively slows the deer down or prompts them to come to a complete stop. In the previous video, an 8-point buck interacted with the vine scrape. After he stepped into the plot, a second buck visited the scrape to communicate.
Having a scrape at the entrance of your food plots can be highly beneficial.