Scouting and finding the scrape or scrape line of a white-tailed buck is a definite plus when gearing up for the hunting season. And truth be known, it’s better to find a scrape or two than a rub-line. Many times it seems that a rub-line is the result of pent up aggression due to growing testosterone in the buck while the scrapes are a definite sign that a buck likes what he has seen in the area.
Scrapes are normally found on higher ground that is dry enough to hold scent and wont be washed out, even if it rains heavily. Areas that repeatedly encounter boggy or swamp-like conditions tend to hold less scrapes than the edges of that same area where the ground is slightly elevated.
Any edge of a field, especially those that contain row crops or food plots are high-percentage areas to find scrapes. Main trails entering swamps, low-lands, creeks, rivers, and draws are also likely places for a scrape or scrape-line. But is finding a scrape reason enough to set up a deer stand and start hunting? Not exactly.
The percentage of scrapes that actually get re-worked is low in most places, but there are a few tactics for increasing the odds and finding out just what scrapes are still active. Trail cameras are great for monitoring scrapes, but be careful not to leave any scent in the area. In addition, you can freshen scrapes with doe or buck urine and see if that causes deer, hopefully the dominant buck in the area, to return. If you detect signs of activity, it may well be time to spend a little time in the stand.
Last year I spotted two very large bucks in a field. Then this year they are cutting in some roads for a commercial devlopment so I thought to my self what could it hurt to just take a look around and see if I see any sign. The first place I went to was a field that has soybeans growing in it and I couldnt believe the scrapes in it. I have been hunting a long time and I’ve never seen so many scapes in onw place so close together and now I am in a delima!
I’m not sure how to go about hunting this since the tractors move all day clearing the land between where I seen them last year and where all the sign is this year. Its only about 150 yards from where they where last year I cant decide if I should try hunting in the small field or if I should hunt the edge of the field where I think the deer are bedding down. Can anyone relate to this and maybe give me some input mind you there are not any woods close to this field — only a small hedge row with a few scattered hardwoods on each side of the field. There is also a small patch of woods between the field they where in last year. These deer are at least 160 class deer so they have been around for sometime now. Thank you for any information that maybe helpful
Well, it is likely that these deer are nocturnal and it is hard to catch them anyhow. However there is hope, I would scout back in the wooded area and try to locate some suspect places for bedding not to far away from the scene of the crime. I find that wiser bucks tend to lay thought the day and move a bit at dusk and dark. I have also shot deer in the middle of the day. I would say that if the work is repetitous then they likely get use to the sound and comfortable enough to move during the day. Whitetail bucks might get up for water or just to stretch there legs, but they willl get up.