My SpyPoint cameras have been working overtime over the past few days due to increased buck activity around my scrapes. Many bucks are moving during the night, while some are visiting the scrapes early in the morning and right before sunset. Testosterone levels are at their peak, and it’s only a matter of time before things become even more active. What’s most surprising about this week’s footage is that most of the videos were recorded today!
October 27th
On October 27th, my cameras were triggering throughout the day as bucks visited the scrapes. With the temperatures low, the deer were active all day long. If anyone had been sitting in any of my stands, they likely would have had a chance to take a shot at a buck. One buck in particular came out into the rye food plot to work on the Buckstik and really focused on it. This serves as a great example of how bucks engage with a scrape to leave behind as much gland secretion as possible.
October 28th
On October 28th, deer movement and activity were steady. New bucks have begun to appear at the scrapes, leaving their individual scents. As the rut approaches, both bucks and does will continue to increase their activity at these scrapes. It’s always enjoyable to observe the activity at my scrapes during the final days of October. Watch as this curious buck uses his nasal gland to investigate who has been at the BuckStik.
October 29th
The action began early in the morning on October 29th when a young 8-point buck visited the BuckVine and left his mark. The buck was intent on using his forehead and preorbital gland to deposit his scent. The vine is strategically placed between two food plots along a main trail. Both bucks and does frequently stop to investigate who has visited the scrape and the plots.
Return of Fred
Drop Dead Fred returned to the BuckRope early on the 29th to refresh the scrape. He worked the rope and then rub-urinated in the scrape. In the background of the video, you can see two does. After working the rope, Fred went to scent-check each doe to determine if they were coming into estrus. I hope Fred gets the opportunity to breed many does on this farm.
Cruising
Just before sunrise, a new buck appeared on my property. It’s clear that this buck is a fighter, as his right side is noticeably damaged. He approached the Buckstik and began to sniff it. After taking in the scents left by previous bucks, he marked the Buckstik with his own scent. Once he finished with the Buckstik, he continued to roam the area, gathering more information about the other deer nearby.
Importance of Scrape Lines
I have owned my property long enough to understand the paths deer prefer as they approach the rut. This knowledge has allowed me to establish a scrape line that the deer follow to navigate between different areas. I have strategically placed scrapes along this line, with cameras set up at each location to track the movements of the bucks that use the trail. The scrape line begins just outside a dense doe bedding area. I have a BuckBranch situated in a small tree where bucks often stop to rub before heading toward the food plots that I have planted. Recently, one buck arrived at the scrape at 7:27 AM and worked it thoroughly before continuing towards the food plots.
Stop #2
The 8-point buck that started out at the Buckbranch made its way toward the food plots. It took him less than 20 minutes to check the other scrapes along the scrape line before arriving at the entrance of one of the food plots. I have created mock scrapes at the entrances to all my plots, encouraging the deer to stop before entering. You can see that the buck pauses long enough to interact with the hanging vine before entering the plot. This pause is crucial for a hunter to identify which deer they are observing.
Stop #3
Two minutes after working the natural vine, the young 8-point walks 30 yards and interacts with the BuckVine. The same Buckvine, the first buck worked at 1 am earlier in the morning. I thoroughly enjoy the days leading up to Halloween as buck activity is on the rise. When the weather is right and the deer cooperate, my cameras and scrapes are fire! For me, this is the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”
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