I don’t make mock scrapes because I think mature bucks will take them over and hang around the area. But there are several good reasons why I do make them. For one, I make and use mock scrapes as a scouting tool. I use these scrapes to spot-check each funnel to see how much deer traffic the area is receiving during rut movement.

Mature bucks are very particular about the overhanging limb or licking branch that usually hangs about 4 1/2 feet over the scrape. When making a mock scrape, the author often fabricates his own licking branch so that he can be certain that it will appeal to a mature buck

A mock scrape in a funnel is a great location for a trail camera. I only use infrared cameras in these locations because I know I will be hunting here later. You never know if a buck you are targeting is flash-shy or not. Some bucks are even spooked by the infrared light from no-flash cameras. Yes, bucks can see the light from an infrared camera.

Some funnels are too wide to get a shot of all the deer passing through them in a single photograph. A mature buck could pass just behind your camera or out of range in front of it. However, if you place a large scrape in the funnel, you can bet that any mature buck moving through the area will put his nose in it.

If you don’t own trail cameras, you can still use the scrape for scouting by closely examining the tracks left in the scrape. Of course, you can only do this if you really worked up the ground within the scrape. Especially take note of any large track that shows up in the dirt on a regular basis.

Click here for part I in the series "There's A Scrape!"

A WINNING STRATEGY
This leads me to the next reason I like to make scrapes in all of my funnels. Sometimes a funnel will not restrict movement as close to my tree as I like (or need) for a close shot. When a mature buck passing through the area sees a large scrape a few yards away, though, he’ll usually take the time to walk over to it and check it out as noted, offering me a close shot.

The third reason I like to make mock scrapes in my funnels is because it helps me to get a standing shot at relaxed deer. As you probably know, mature bucks are constantly on the move during the rut. If you’ve ever tried to settle your sights on one of these traveling bucks, you know how difficult it can be. Many fine trophies have been lost because the buck would not stand still long enough for the hunter to make the shot. Of course, you can always try grunting to stop him, but that will immediately put him on alert. It’s always much better if he stops on his own.

The final reason I make mock scrapes at all my stand locations (in funnels) is to lure bucks over to my stand site. As mentioned in Part 1 last month, I don’t believe a buck will “hang around” the location of a scrape he has found. However, if a mature buck passes by your mock scrape at night or some other time when you’re not there, he won’t soon forget it. Then, the next time he’s passing through the area, the chances are good that he’ll come right over and check it out since he knows it’s there.

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