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Skyline's His and Hers Outdoor Corner
with Larry Nowicki
MOCK SCRAPES
If you're not out there starting your mock scrapes, you're missing the boat! I've used mock scrapes for years to bring deer to where I want them. Mock scrapes are also a great opportunity to use your trail cameras to see what you've got in your area long before the season opens.
Deer see well, and hear well, but live by their noses.
People think that deer only make scrapes during the fall. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Although there are breeding scrapes, both bucks and does will visit territorial scrapes year-round. If you don't believe me, try it!
We go back every year to the field and look for those places we've seen scrapes in the past. Territorial scrapes tend to appear along hedgerows, open fields, and travel routes. During the summertime and early fall, scrapes will not appear as large as they do during the rut.
There are numerous mock scrape kits on the market. I'm not saying that others don't work, but the one kit that has always worked for me is the Kishel's Mock Scrape Kit. Pick up one of these, or any other mock scrape kit you can find. You are also going to need a small garden hoe or rake. If you don't already have one, pick one up at your local home improvement store. Be sure to boil your scrape making tool to ensure it is free of human scent. Take care by wearing inexpensive vinyl or latex gloves when handling the tool.
Head to your favorite local hunting area. Or use this as a great way to scout a new area.
Under an overhanging branch of a small sapling, clear an area about the size of a basketball - no larger.
With the Kishel's Mock Scrape Kit, there are three scents: pre-orbital, inter-digital, and tarsal. Both the tarsal and inter-digital will be sprayed in the cleared area. The pre-orbital will be sprayed on the overhanging branch. Do not break the branch as you would on a rut scrape. I do, however, pull some of the leaves off the branch to make it visible that the area has been changed.
That's it! Your scrape is complete! It's that easy.
Just set up your favorite trail monitoring camera, wait approximately one week, then go back to check for photos. I think you'll be surprised at what shows up at your scrapes!
It is essential to keep your scrape scents fresh. It is ideal to respray every 3 – 5 days. This is not always possible. The longest I will go in between spraying is a week.
Not all mock scrapes will be hit. Key on those scrapes where you see footprints showing and adjust your cameras accordingly. To make footprints more visible, get a trapper sift and sift fresh dirt over your scrapes. Scrapes that have not been hit can be disregarded after 2 weeks.
I believe you will be pleasantly surprised at how effective mock scrapes are as a scouting tool! Making mock scrapes is fun and rewarding. Enjoy the time outside!
BOOYAH!!!!!
BONUS: If you would like to increase the effectiveness of your mock scrapes, find a town park or other spot where deer droppings are readily available. Collect in a plastic zip bag and place a few in your mock scrape.
NEXT MONTH: I will continue to discuss mock scrapes as well as talk about food plots. As always, if you have comments or suggestions, please shoot me an email larry@skylinecamo.com
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