Scrapes are powerful communication hubs for whitetail deer. A scrape is a section of disturbed dirt that deer tear up by pawing at the ground with their front hooves. Bucks will scrape away the vegetation to expose the dirt and then they will urinate in the scrape to leave scent to let other deer know they are in the area.
Scrape sites carry the highest concentration of pheromones than any other forms of deer sign in the woods. You will find scrapes along deer trails, bedding areas, transitions in habitat, logging roads, and around edges of food sources. Scrapes normally appear under low-hanging branches that hang about four to five feet off the ground.
Deer leave scent from four different glands at one scrape site. The interdigital gland and tarsal gland disperse scent onto the bare dirt and the preorbital and forehead glands smear scent onto the licking branch above.
The Licking Branch
The licking branch above the scrape introduces preorbital and forehead gland scent at the site. A buck will rub his face and head all over the overhanging branch above a scrape. Scent left behind by forehead glands can last for days, research suggests the glands communicate a buck’s age and social status. Hunting near fresh rubs and scrapes can lead to success as deer frequent these scent-filled areas.
Less is known about preorbital glands. Preorbital glands are located at the base of both eyes on a deer. The glands release a substance when deer rub against the licking branch.
The Scrape
All bucks, does and fawns will use scrapes. Two major glands leave scent in the dirt. The interdigital glands are found between the hooves of every deer, and they release a chemical that is left in the dirt when deer paw at the ground. Researchers believe the interdigital glands help deer determine the age of other deer that have been at the scrape. It is also suspected that deer can tell direction of travel. During the rut, a buck can follow the exact trail a doe used hours before, interdigital glands are likely to play a large role in this phenomenon.
The most known gland on a whitetail buck are the tarsal glands. These glands are found on the inside of the rear hocks of deer. The introduction of urine on the glands is what provides deer with the information they need to identify each other. After making a scrape, a buck will stand in the scrape with his back legs together and he will urinate on his tarsal gland and on the dirt in the scrape. Does also pee in scrapes. This behavior at scrape sites can communicate age, sex, health, and willingness to breed.
The Power of a Deer’s Nose
A whitetail deer’s brain contains more than 300-million scent receptors. Millions of nerve cells line the interior of a deer’s nose, and they work together to trigger areas of a deer’s brain. Specific cells in the deer’s nose are dedicated to detecting other deer in the woods. These cells generate a response in behavior.
During the summer months, bucks travel in bachelor groups. By mid-September, testosterone levels begin to increase, and bucks will have shed their velvet. This would be described as the pre-rut. Scrapes will begin to appear in the woods, the pheromones in scrapes will trigger aggression. Bucks will visit the scrapes often to mark territory and challenge other bucks. Eventually, testosterone will peak in November and bucks will begin to fight. When a hot doe walks through an area, you could potentially see bucks follow her trail well after she moved through. They’ll come high trotting by with their nose to the ground. Their nose’s ability to pick up scent is incredible.
Mock Scrapes and Horizontal Rub Stations
Scrapes are mecca scent stations in the deer woods, but they don’t always appear near your treestand. After learning about how deer use them, you can create your own scrapes and put them near your stand. These are called “mock scrapes.”
At the very least, your stand is likely near a heavily used trail or food source. Find a tree within bow range that has branches that hang four to five feet from the ground, clear the debris under the branch and drop some of your favorite deer lure into the dirt. Hang a trail camera in front of the mock scrape to monitor the area. You’re going to naturally peak a deer’s interest into checking the scrape out, and then the deer will begin to use it.
Deer are curious creatures and seem to be attracted to lone objects. Ever had a buck rub on the little sapling you planted in the yard? Small saplings in the middle of an open area always seem to be rubbed on in the fall. Bucks will rub their antlers on loose hanging vines and branches. Enhance your mock scrape and hang a hemp rope from the licking branch. Bucks will rub their head and face on the rope as well as make a scrape under it. The hemp rope triggers the same behavior as a small sapling in an opening. Deer will go right to it. You’ll have deer coming right to your treestand.
Nurture the same behavior with a horizontal rub station. A horizontal rub station can work for a hunter in two ways. It will draw the deer into your setup using curiosity and it will distract the deer as it comes into range. While the deer focuses on the rub station, you’ll be able to move into position for a shot.
To create a horizontal rub station, you need two wood posts or tree trunks that are about five-and-a-half feet long. Space them four feet apart and dig holes about two feet deep. Stand the poles in the holes and pack the dirt in around them. Find a pine or cedar tree that is six to eight inches in diameter and cut it to be about six feet long. Use bailing wire to attach your horizontal post at knee height onto each of the vertical posts. Use a knife to scrape away the bark on the ends of the horizontal post to reproduce characteristics of a rub.
Understanding scrapes and how deer use them can help you create tactics that draw deer into bow range this fall. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to create mock scrapes and rub stations. Hang your trail cameras to capture the action.