Hemp Rope Licking Branch

[Stressless]

Does it work?

5 month outside aged 1.18" hemp rope licking branch - Doubles as toupee.

 

[triple_duece]

Hunter bought a couple to put on our place.

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

Does it NEED to be hemp ? I hung rope a few years back & applied Black Widow.....never had luck....

 

[Fletch]

I hung one yesterday

 

[Wiley E Coyote]

My best luck has been to hang them in a really good location with no scent. They will find and use them but it takes a while. It's not a over night thing. They do like them and a great place for a camera but it takes time. From my experience if you hang one now it will be very popular next fall

 

[Stressless]

Does it NEED to be hemp ? I hung rope a few years back & applied Black Widow.....never had luck....

From what Ive read and learned from starting to use them this summer, Yes Hemp is the best material. You want to start with 'Natural and Untreated' hemp.

To Grok: "What do you need to get to use a rope as a licking branch and what material is best for that rope whitetail licking branch?"

Best Material for the Rope
Hemp rope is widely regarded as the best material for a whitetail licking branch. It's natural, durable, frays easily to create a brushy texture that holds scents well, and mimics vines or branches that deer naturally use. Avoid synthetic ropes like nylon or polyester, as they don't absorb or retain scents as effectively and may deter deer due to unnatural odors or textures. Alternatives like grapevine or natural vines can work if you prefer non-rope options, but hemp rope is preferred for its versatility and effectiveness in mock setups.

To use a rope as a licking branch for attracting whitetail deer (typically as part of a mock scrape setup), you'll need a few basic items and steps to get started. This tactic mimics natural communal licking branches where deer rub, lick, and deposit scents to communicate, drawing in bucks especially during pre-rut and rut seasons. Here's a breakdown based on common practices:

What You Need and How to Set It Up
Rope: A section of rope about 4-6 feet long (enough to hang with the bottom end at deer nose/chest height, around 3-4 feet off the ground). It should be thick enough to fray and hold scents—aim for 3/4-inch to 1-inch diameter.

Hanging method: Secure the rope to an overhanging tree limb (ideally 7-10 feet high) using zip ties, paracord, or additional rope. If there's no suitable tree, you can improvise with a T-post, metal flag holders, or by tying it between two trees or posts for stability.

Scent attractant: Deer urine or glandular scents (like forehead gland or tarsal scents) to prime the rope and make it appealing. Apply it to the frayed end to encourage licking and rubbing.

Optional tools: Scissors or a knife to fray/unravel the rope's end for better scent absorption and a natural look; gloves to avoid leaving human scent; and a trail camera to monitor activity (place it 15-30 feet away).

Setup tips: Choose a location near deer trails, edges, or existing scrapes. Hang the rope vertically, fray the bottom, apply scent, and optionally create a ground scrape beneath it by clearing dirt and adding more urine. Let it weather for a while (up to a year for best results) to reduce human odor and make it more natural. This setup is low-cost and can be done with items from a hardware store or online hunting suppliers.

I put 5 out in July, fresh and not 'aged' outside, where I had 2 yo grapevines. Cams showed very little action on them compared to the grapevine. Took the hemp down except for two locations I didn't think I'd sit this year. Put one hanging vine per bow stand, all my stands are bow stands lol.

About Mid Sep the two I left up started getting action , now those two are getting used more than the vines. Before this turkey season, all my hanging vines will be replaced with hanging hemp rope. Unless the rope breaks Ill never have to replace another damn vine.

It's not the replacement per se thats a PITA, its the 30m walk, per vine, around the damn woods, to fine a proper vine, lenght, diameter etc.. not having a vine you left out for an extra season snap and be useless is the added bonus.

 

[Buckmaster]

I use grapevines.

 

[Stressless]

@Buckmaster
I have as well for 10 years or so, they work great just a maintenance tail to them every year.