Mock scrapes are a major part of modern deer hunting. Deer hunters make and use these for numerous reasons. Some of these are viable. Others are a stretch. Here’s what you need to know.
Overrated?
Some people swear that mock scrapes aren’t what they’re cracked up to be. Their reasonings range from bucks don’t use these in daylight to deer don’t even take to mock scrapes, with plenty in between. Because of these things, they say mock scrapes are overrated.
Underrated?
Other hunters say mock scrapes don’t get the love they deserve. They argue that mock scrapes are underutilized and aren’t used to the fullest capacity. These people have detailed systems in place for mock scrape construction and usage.
The Answer
Per usual, the answer falls between the two ends of the spectrum. To truly understand fake scrapes, we must understand real ones. Brian Murphy, a biologist with HuntStand, says mock scrapes aren’t overrated or underrated. They just are.
“Perhaps a better question is whether hunters fully understand when, where, and how mock scrapes can be effective versus an exercise in futility,” he said. “Multiple studies have shown that the majority of scrape activity by bucks occurs at night, though the waning minutes of the afternoon is the second major activity period.”
Knowing this, while approximately 84% of scraping activity takes place at night, 16% takes place during the day. So, it’s important to understand that scrapes aren’t great for hunting, but it isn’t impossible to fill a tag over one. Still, these are much better for trail cameras, and for use as secondary reasoning to hunt a spot you already plan to sit.
That said, there are times to focus on scrapes, and times not to. While deer scrape virtually all year long, there are peaks and valleys to anticipate.
“Additionally, buck use of scrapes peaks during the pre-rut period and then drops appreciably (almost stops altogether) just before and during peak rut, only to begin again after the rut and continue throughout the post-rut period,” Murphy said.
If anything about scrapes is overrated, it’s the myth of the scrape line. If you find a string of well-used scrapes, it’s generally coincidence, or mock scrapes made by hunters.
“Hunters should also keep in mind that research has largely dispelled the common theory of a scrape line made by a single buck,” Murphy said. “This is rare compared to situations where multiple bucks use multiple scrapes in a given area. In other words, scrapes are much more communal than individual. They are, in essence, the local bars that are frequented by multiple bucks and does to ensure efficient interaction, information exchange and, ultimately, successful reproduction.”
How to Use Mock Scrapes
Those contemplating the implementation of mock scrapes should know what to do, and not do. There are things hunters should know about making mock scrapes. The first step is placing mock scrapes in an area that makes sense.
“Timing and context are everything,” Murphy said. “Wherever possible, scrapes should be established in areas that would be logical spots for natural scrapes. These include roads, trails, field edges and ecotones (where two or more habitat types merge). Experienced hunters can quickly predict — with high probability — where scrapes will be located as they traverse the woods during fall. Not surprisingly, these also are areas frequently populated with rubs.”
While location is important, a good licking branch is a close second. Murphy says it’s vital to have a natural, or man-provided, licking branch at roughly 48-60 inches, and stresses activity will be greatly reduced if not eliminated altogether without it.
Interestingly, he doesn’t think jumpstarting it with scent is quite as important as some might believe. “Surprisingly, what hunters place in the actual mock scrape is far less important,” Murphy said. “Research has shown that the mere presence of exposed soil is the most important draw when it comes to deer use of mock scrapes. In fact, in this research, buck use was not significantly greater with the addition of a commercially available deer scent, even compared to human urine. That said, I’d still suggest using buck urine, as that is the most common scent deposited at scrape sites.”
Most of all, don’t expect to do much good over a mock (or real) scrape during the peak rut. It’s a common mistake to think these will see any action when does are entering peak estrus. Mock and real scrapes are more effective during the pre-rut, early rut, and post-rut.
“From a hunting perspective, hunting directly over [mock] scrapes can be a common mistake,” Murphy said. “Given the research that the greatest daytime use of scrapes occurs during the waning minutes of daylight, hunters should position themselves between bedding areas and scrapes during afternoon sits, as many bucks won’t arrive at the actual scrapes until after legal shooting hours.”
This season, don’t think too highly or lowly of mock scrapes. Instead, accept these for what they are — solid options for trail cameras, and a low-odds shot at a mature deer. That’s about it.
