Scrapes: real vs. mock

[TheCream]

Have you folks noticed a difference in quantity of photos from cameras watching real scrapes vs. mock scrapes? I know buckmasterJB (a buddy, yes, I have one :D ) had good luck with mock scrapes producing photos the last few years, but I have done 2 mocks this year and they pale in comparison to the real deal as far as production goes. One mock I created behind our cabin I got 2 different small bucks during a week with the camera, another mock scrape on another property got one small buck in a week...and that was within about 70 yards of several real scrapes. The reason for the mock setup was the lack of a good tree for the camera on the real deal. On that same property, on real scrapes, I am averaging around 150 photos per week on real scrapes set up with the same scrape dripper and Tinks Power Scrape.

I am just curious if anyone else sees similar results, or do mock scrapes work as well for you as the real deal? :coco:

[bowhunter1023]

I get more bucks on mock scrapes, but nothing of any value. I had the Apollo over a mock scrape in some heavy cover last week and had 6 different bucks. The best I got was a 2.5 year old 8. I had my "other" cameras on field edge scrapes and I got what I was after...

[rgecko23]

Yes but which ones do you find are mre used??

Field edges or in the woods? I have both going on that are real buck scrapes.

The one is by the tree farm and its right on the edge, so are the ones off the trails going into the woods.

Then there are the ones in the woods on deer trails..

Just looking for an opinion. and where would you put your "mock" scrape compared to these?

[bowhunter1023]

I will start by saying that I don't hunt scrapes. I have never witnessed a scrape line not along a field. I have watched bucks make/freshen scrapes, but my experience with scrapes comes from running cameras. Here is what I can say about running cams on scrapes, real or mock, this time of year...

If you want to get pictures of several bucks, run your camera over a real field edge scrape. You will get several visitors and I am willing to bet, they will all come at night. Field edge scrapes are very commone at our farm thanks to a 20 acre ridge top crop field. When I choose a location, I look for the largest scrape located closest to security cover. Last night, I made my first trip to the field since the beans came down. I found a huge scrape mere yards from my sanctuary. I fully expect to get 3-4 shooters and probably 6-7 different bucks on that cam in the next week.

If you want to get some interesting pictures, try a mock scrape and put it back in security cover. I do not have luck luring the big ones in to these spots, but I get some great pics of curious bucks and does. I have pics of five does all with their head down sniffing the scrape. In the next pic, they all have their noses in the air snifing the branch. I use mock scrapes to see what kind of reaction and interaction I can get. I have yet to have one turn into a hot location.

[TheCream]

I will start by saying that I don't hunt scrapes. I have never witnessed a scrape line not along a field. I have watched bucks make/freshen scrapes, but my experience with scrapes comes from running cameras. Here is what I can say about running cams on scrapes, real or mock, this time of year...

If you want to get pictures of several bucks, run your camera over a real field edge scrape. You will get several visitors and I am willing to bet, they will all come at night. Field edge scrapes are very commone at our farm thanks to a 20 acre ridge top crop field. When I choose a location, I look for the largest scrape located closest to security cover. Last night, I made my first trip to the field since the beans came down. I found a huge scrape mere yards from my sanctuary. I fully expect to get 3-4 shooters and probably 6-7 different bucks on that cam in the next week.

If you want to get some interesting pictures, try a mock scrape and put it back in security cover. I do not have luck luring the big ones in to these spots, but I get some great pics of curious bucks and does. I have pics of five does all with their head down sniffing the scrape. In the next pic, they all have their noses in the air snifing the branch. I use mock scrapes to see what kind of reaction and interaction I can get. I have yet to have one turn into a hot location.

The best places I have seen for non-field edge scrape lines are old logging roads near heavy bedding cover. The old property I used to hunt where I killed my biggest buck had a maze of old logging roads through heavy cover, and they were littered with scrapes. Alas, this was the pre-trail camera time frame and the tree-hugging new owner does not think fondly of hunters. :(

Yes, field edge scrapes get a lot of nighttime photos/videos, and that should be expected. I just use them for two reasons with cameras:

1. Inventory
2. Ease of access, not likely to spook anything getting to/from the scrape

[rgecko23]

So no hunting near scrapes? Cause there is a marshy area right beside where he is making scrapes/ rubs and it is loaded with beds.

I just cant seem to pattern these deer, they are all over the place. Your scrape post really got me to wonder. Sorry to steal it or jump in but it is sparking my curiosity on what you guys do with them.

[bowhunter1023]

Scrapes tell me two things... One, things are starting to pick up. And two, I need to get my cameras over them. I have never hunted in a spot just because there was a scrape there. The scrape is there for a reason. If it has to due with the proximity to cover, then it might be worth hunting over. But it would probably be a good location without the scrape. I'm just not a scrape hunter...

[TheCream]

So no hunting near scrapes? Cause there is a marshy area right beside where he is making scrapes/ rubs and it is loaded with beds.

I just cant seem to pattern these deer, they are all over the place. Your scrape post really got me to wonder. Sorry to steal it or jump in but it is sparking my curiosity on what you guys do with them.

I'm already in a bad mood today, sorry don't cut it, son. :rant:


Just kidding. :D

[rgecko23]

I'm already in a bad mood today, sorry don't cut it, son. :rant:


Just kidding. :D


hahahahaha thanks!!..

[rgecko23]

So the scrape is there just to say hey, this is my area.

He could be coming through there but it is not a definate yes that he is?

[bowhunter1023]

So the scrape is there just to say hey, this is my area.

He could be coming through there but it is not a definate yes that he is?

I ran one camera on the same field edge scrape last year for a full month. I had 13 different bucks hit it. Of those, 3 were shooters. I had no daytime activity and no one shooter used it more than another.

There are some great articles in last month's NAW and this month's regarding scrapes and their purposes. They serve for an outlet of communication that is scent born. After five years of running cams on scrapes in heavy cover and along field edges, and even in some strange places; I have not seen anything that would lead me to think hunting over a single scrape based solely on its existence, would be a productive tactic...

But that is just me and I am sure some would disagree...

[ncboman]

here's the deal;

scrapes are made by bucks AND does to throw less knowledgeable hunters off the track ... :whistle:

on the other hand ...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ncboman/Ohio%2007/12807Ohio034rf.jpg

this would indicate a good spot to me. :mischeif:

[TheCream]

I ran one camera on the same field edge scrape last year for a full month. I had 13 different bucks hit it. Of those, 3 were shooters. I had no daytime activity and no one shooter used it more than another.

There are some great articles in last month's NAW and this month's regarding scrapes and their purposes. They serve for an outlet of communication that is scent born. After five years of running cams on scrapes in heavy cover and along field edges, and even in some strange places; I have not seen anything that would lead me to think hunting over a single scrape based solely on its existence, would be a productive tactic...

But that is just me and I am sure some would disagree...

I remember reading an article a while back too that discussed just how many scrapes and rubs an individual buck can make in a year, and it was STAGGERING! I'm not 100% sure on this, just going off memory, but I am thinking it was as many as 300 rubs and 75+ scrapes in one fall. :yikes:

[rgecko23]

I think I read something like that before too.

I just always hear both sides of the story...hunt them, and don't hunt them.

I always thought bucks always checked their scrapes for doe using them.

[OhioHunter88]

I am willing to bet, they will all come at night.

:tsk: hehe, just wanted to prove you wrong with two pictures of different bucks, but other than this, typically they do hit scrapes at night, espically field edge ones.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c43/OhioHunter88/MDGC0013.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c43/OhioHunter88/MDGC0022.jpg

Ive had this moultrie on one of the many field edge scrapes on our farm, and have atleast 9 different bucks on it, they are a great way to see what kinds of bucks have entered your area looking for some does.

[bowhunter1023]

I meant mature bucks Kaleb. I guess you got me though. I should have said that. But that is pretty close to dark-thirty for those visits :D