I found 3 existing scrapes that I KNOW were re-opened since yesterday afternoon! We just got this snow Sun/Mon, and I went to check my trail cam yesterday and they weren't done as of then. I have a few questions though. Can we assume these were done by a buck? (they were within 60yrds of each other along a lane) Were they likely done by the same buck? Why were they re-opened so late in the season? I have never seen this this late. Thanks for any insight.
Watched (2) 4 points spar pretty good 3 nights ago, heard a buck running a doe hard for over an hour 2 nights ago and watched a doe piss in 3 consecutive scrapes last night. I have a late dropping acorn tree and the deer are killing it. After seeing Dans post with the new fawn and seeing deer bred as late as April in S Alabama (rut is in late Jan there) I believe it could definatly be a buck re-opening some scrapes.
Man, I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing fresh rut sign this late. I've found a few big rub, and a fresh scrape all in the past week. The does I've seen don't look like they're in estrous based in how they act and tail position. We had a horrible rut here in Illinois, so it's possible that there's a killer 2nd rut going on. Never heard it happening before, but not the strangest rut theory I've ever heard.
Jeff It's the 3rd rut and it's pre rutt action, I've always said it would be awesome to hunt this as the deer are so easy to rattle in due to the lack of doe's in estrus . For them to find a doe in estrus means there in luck. Yes that is why you see fawns with spots in the middle of September. Rocky.
Are they spots that you know for sure a scrape existed? Is possible they were pawing around for food?
Yes. These were EXACTLY where scrapes already were opened earlier in the season. It's a line of about 5 of them that are along a 2 track lane. These are all within about 60yrds of each other. These are definately FRESHLY re-opened scrapes. Again, would this have been the work of one buck?
This would more than likely have been the work of one buck if they really are scrapes. Usually a 2 yr old or older is what I've found. I would not be hesitant (sp?) to hunt the area hard... keeping in mind where the deer was likely coming from as he would certainly be weary of hunters this time of year.
Scrapes reopened this time of year is not unheard of. I've seen it several times over the years. I've also witnessed breeding in Jan on a few occasions Dan
I found one on my property this weekend too. They still wanna little lovin too, before it's all over with for the year. Can't blame em for that. I'd be looking too if I had to wait till next November.
