scrape trouble

[coty jay]

i recently found a scrape and put my trail cam on it and got good pictures of at least 2 shooters and 4 different buck. 50 pictures in all and i bought some mock scrape starter and sprayed a bit in the scrape and put my camera back on it. no pictures at all over a weeks time. anybody know why this could be???? i also created a mock scrape about 60 yards away and there are some droppings in it but it isnt getting used much either. do you guys think that may have scared the deer out of that area. opinions please.

[HuntNWOHIO]

Unless there was change to the area (crops coming off, food sources no longer available, etc.) that changed their patterns, I would say that the mock scrape starter had an affect on the deer not using these scrapes any longer. Especially seeing as how many deer you were getting to visit the scrapes before.

I had a similar situation where I had deer working scrapes along a fence line. I figured I would give the tink's power scrape a try and after putting it in the scrapes and also setting a few mock scrapes, I didn't have much luck. I also had some crops come down that changed some of the patterns they are using to move now as well, but like you, I didnt' have much luck with deer working my scrapes either.

[wvboy]

i found this problem also while trying to doctor up a scrape with some synthetic scrape juice.i use a cotton ball about twenty or so yards downwind from the scrape and have had much better success.this seems not to spook the deer like putting it right into the scrape it tends to make them more curious in my opinion.

[coty jay]

no there isnt any crop change. i used the tinks brand too. now will those buck stay in that area and just work or make new scrapes or will they leave to a new area???

[customizer1000]

it may have alot to do with the seeking phase bucks are on a full run chasing does and their patterns may have changed because of it

[HuntNWOHIO]

it may have alot to do with the seeking phase bucks are on a full run chasing does and their patterns may have changed because of it

Yep depending on when you tried this could be the cause as well. From what i've seen they aren't too worried about working scrapes right now, i'm starting to see the small bucks dogging does in the middle of the fields.

As far as your bucks completely leaving the area... I doubt it. They may just be using alternative travel paths now. And as customizer said, the seeking phase of the rut is on, I wouldn't worry too much about the sign and the pictures, if there is a buck even close chances are he may come cruising through your area looking for a doe, so for the next 2-3 weeks, every minute you have free I would be in the woods.

Best of luck!

[coty jay]

you say you are seeing buck chasing doe in open fields??? i havent seen any chasing yet but ive heard them running through the woods just a little bit. will they come out into the open field while chasing or stay in the woods for the most part??? or where will the majority of the chasing take place???

[tjcff156]

Coty... i've been in the woods just about evey day for a week now and have have witnessed everything from bucks still in groups earlier last week to bucks bascally sprinting to my bleat calls today! I have had bucks come out in the open and even during mid day... they are def heating up and now is a great time to call them in or out into the open for you! i hunt the woods but fields are a close favorite too!! I got my buck in 20 minutes on the ground tonight using a Primos can. i heard him coming from 100 yards away !! they are a moving and gettin fired up !! Good Luck and be safe!

[OhioStuds2310]

Well deer have changed there behavior over the past week. They have went from the seekeing phase where they are out patrolling and seeking for the first few does coming into heat and kepping scrapes active to the chasing phase. I personally think that deer arent really paying much attention to there scrapes as of now because they are more worried about chasing. At least thats what I have noticed in my area that I hunt. The scrapes in my area are somewhat active but not as much as they were a week ago. The product that you put in the scrape could have had something to do with it as well. Just my opinion.