Mock Scrapes 101

I have never used this myself, but i know guys who do with pretty good success. I found this on another forum site and thought it may be beneficial. Thanks to for the information.

Mock Scrapes:



I know I have a thread on scrapes in the advanced tactics, but have been contacted by several forum members recently on how I go about making my mock scrapes.

History--> I am no expert by any means, but I have had some really good success in making mock scrapes and having deer react to them. I lucked out about 15 yrs ago getting permission to hunt a piece of property that gun hunting wasn't allowed, and as far as I know I was the only bow hunter within one square mile. I saw things in there that I had only seen on tv or read about, big mature bucks doing the things they do when not pressured by hunters, I witnessed multiple bucks making scrapes and rubs , sparring, snort wheezing, Fleming , breaking off licking sticks , mating, etc.... What an education, too bad I was so green with my bow, I could have waylaid some serious B&C contenders in there, but I'll take the education, and the passion it instilled as a consolation prize.Those woods aren't what they once were, development and heavy hunting pressure has turned those woods into a real disappointment.I watched bucks in there and how they reacted to scrapes and thought to myself , I have to use this free info to my advantage, So I tried to mimic the scrapes with several different scents and have finally come up with a formula that seems to work consistently, I am constantly changing gears and trying new things, but now with the help of trail cameras I'm learning what works and what doesn't .Here is what works for me.First and one of the most important things is finding the scrape that can bring the buck past you with shooting light still available , I'm not saying that field edge / community scrapes are worthless, but for the most part they are nocturnal activity scrapes, I look for open hardwoods funnel scrapes , fairly open oak flats, edge of thick cover type terrain, a place where they have to constantly remove the falling leaves to show what cards they hold.Trees--> Some trees I like to use on scrapes are maples , Cedar, Ash, native burning bush(they love these for scrapes) I guess it's the corky wings bark , must hold scent well.I like to find a branch that hangs down about 48-54"

I like to find a branch that is as big around as a pencil , but double pencil size is ideal. A scrape kit can make things a lot smoother, i found mine at home depot, I keep all my scents, my cultivator, gloves, etc. in there so I've got everything I need while I'm far from my truck. I am usually in scent lock , or sprayed down good, I go in the woods in the middle of the day, and always use rubber, or nitrile gloves, not only to keep my scent off the deer, but to keep the gel and liquid scent off me. That overhanging licking branch is the most important thing in the whole scrape, 9 times out of 10 that buck is gonna smell it first and start working it over, sometimes put it in his mouth so I don't want any of my scent on there. Next I doctor the licking branch with Jackie's overhanging licking brach gel. I put it high up enough that the deer don't get it in their mouths, but close enough that they can smell it. Next I rip up the ground with my cultivator, and make an egg shaped scrape, not too big, mabey basketball size, then I dig a hole about 4-6 inches deep right in the middle of the scrape. .


Then I apply a small amount of my James valley gel, down in the hole, I like to put scrape gel, and wall hanger down in the hole until Halloween, and from Halloween till thanksgiving , I'm adding lethal weapon to the scrape gel and wall hanger. Next I cover up the hole and pack it down, they will try to dig it up to get down to the scent.Next I add some Jackie's scrape powder to the top of the scrape.

Then I add a little more wall hanger to the top of the scrape, halloween till thanksgiving I'll add a little lethal weapon gel to the top.Now the scrape is ready to hunt over, You can make several around your stand , or just use one main scrape, I have had the best luck with 3-6 cluster scrapes around the stand, and one main big scrape in the kill zone.