Vertical mock scrapes.
- Thread starter Steelheadtracker
- Start date
Big_Holla
Senior Member
This last year I started a couple of other scrapes by hanging both heavy cotton rope and grape vines just to see if deer would frequent them at all. I was surprised by the results and both locations seemed to get a lot of action, sometimes from bucks and does. These pics are of the rope I hung on the left side of the frame.
Big_Holla
Senior Member
Here is the one with the grape vine. The grape vine is the way to go in my opinion. That thing got worked over all year until it ended up getting knocked down some time this early spring. It's back up so hopefully I will have some new pics to share. I intend to make many more mock scrapes, mostly with this type of set-up.
Thanks for info and sharing results guys! I regret using 550 cord to hang the vine, but it is what I had available at the time. Hopefully it holds out.
Spencie
Senior Member
I started doing this in the early 90s. It truly does work.
Stressless
Active Member
FYI - the deer aren't the only ones that like to play with our grapevines, from my farm and the first confirmed bear in Coshocton County since 1887...
... not sure it helps attract the deer thou..
... not sure it helps attract the deer thou..
Buckmaster
Senior Member
Well, I finally am getting into the add some things too help steer the deer my way mentality. Going too give this a whirl. I usually just hunt the sign I see but am trying something a little different this season.
Any updates from 2 years ago when this was discussed?
Any updates from 2 years ago when this was discussed?
This is what got me started some this path than did a little searching here and found this.
Stressless
Active Member
If you follow Jeff's guidelines you will be amazed. I know I was/am! I just followed his guidance when setting them up.
#1 Dutton from last year
#1 Niles from 2020... and you get great shots/video.
#1 Dutton from last year
#1 Niles from 2020... and you get great shots/video.
Big_Holla
Senior Member
If you hang it they will come. I really feel that way for the most part. Sturgis's latest recommendation for using a longer grape vine (tied up higher) that isn't too big (between 3/4" - 1 1/4" in dia.) seems spot on I think as I have changed out a few vines already this year and had good results. Does mostly seem to visit those scrape locations so far, although we have a small buck that will spend hours playing with one. I've got several more to install yet and a few to replace as well. I do think the key is to have the bottom around 36" off the ground so the fawns and small does can easily get to them and cover them in scent, bucks will rub their faces and neck all over them at that height too. As leaves drop and fall gets here they usually will raise up a good amount if hanging from branches. I do think white oak branches work better than vines when it comes to mock scrapes. Only problem is finding enough year after year to prune down to use gets difficult as you really need to replace them every year.
You’re overthinking it in my opinion. Tie a stick, tie a vine, break a branch over… whatever. Take a piss in the freshly scoured dirt and walk away. I’ve been doing mock scrapes for years and I’ve never seen any particular method or “strategy” make a big difference. What does make all the difference is LOCATION. Over the past couple years I’ve noticed mock scrapes getting more and more attention… and now you have every different hunting “celebrity” pushing their own method for the sake of street-cred and clicks and “likes.” Deer aren’t that picky. Give them something to rub their face on, above some dirt you just turned over, and they’re gonna use it if they cross paths with it.