LAST UPDATED: May 8th, 2015
Over the next few weeks I am going to write about the Manipulating Monster Bucks, Aggressively. This is key… BE AGGRESSIVE. Hunting dominate mature bucks requires a different mindset then the rest of the deer herd; my goal is to fire them up, make them angry, and to create a very angry monster buck.
Part #1 – Mock Scrapes
Part #2 – Drag Rags & Scents
Part #3 – Decoying & Calling
Part #4 – Food – Cover – Food
Part #5 – Sit long/Hunt Hungry
By the time Mid-October rolls around hunters and big mature bucks have the same idea; the rut is ON! The first rubs and scrapes start appearing along ridges, saddles and field edges. This is a great time to introduce yourself to the dominant bucks in the area. Creating mock scrapes in the bedroom of a big buck requires only a few items:
Scents: (I like Tink’s Power Scrape)
https://www.bowhunting.com/shopping/Products/Tinks-Power-Scrape-16oz-Starter__2680.aspx
Pruners and Saws:
https://www.bowhunting.com/shopping/Products/Hs-Ratchet-Pruners__00635.aspx
Trail Cameras:
https://www.bowhunting.com/shopping/Departments/Trail-Cameras.aspx
Each hunter is different (just like every buck) so in my view there is no “right” or “wrong” way to create a mock scrape. Remember to remain completely scent free, use gloves and scent elimination products. If you want to shoot a big dominate buck, act like one. Don’t be afraid to tear up the soil break a few licking branches and cover the soil with scrape starter and dominant buck urine (maybe even a few drops of doe estrus…). I want the buck to know I’m there and that mean business.
Last weekend I deployed 3 mock scrapes in Minnesota using this technique and will be doing the same this weekend in Wisconsin! I will update in a few weeks to see how many dominate bucks I angered.
See you in the woods,
Neal McCullough
