I've seen some threads in the past here where guys have used mock scrapes to kill mature bucks on a fairly consistent basis. Threads from Troy, Scott, Mike, etc come to mind when looking back. It's a topic that I don't think is discussed often, but I'd like to re-open it and see if we can learn something. Anyone have experience killing a mature deer over a mock scrape? What was the overall strategy of the setup? Were you targeting a specific deer? I'd love to hear thoughts and details behind a successful mock scrape strategy. I think we all know how to use them to pull deer in to get pictures, but I'm curious how many of you have used to actually kill a specific buck you were hunting.
I had multiple mature bucks visit a few of my mocks last year during daylight. Certain days would be more eventful then others. Of course, my tag was already burned so I was never hunting them. For me, less was more. A few squirts of forehead gland scent and some urine. In and and out. As far as how to hunt them...not the expert on that. Will be checking back on this thread though.
I have attempted them, but can't say they worked all that well for me. I have had my best luck hunting real scrapes that I have found close to bedding cover--- I like to mess with them.. add a little doe in heat, take a leak in the scrape.. Setup on a cross wind and hope for the best.
Personally I have better luck hunting down wind of them! I shoot for a spot where I think they will roam through scent checking them! Might be 50-80 yards or so! They dont nessasarily have to be right on them to do a check!
I'll be keeping my eye on this. Curious to see where people put them and what scents they use for the licking branch.
Rick I think for a state like Illinois where we can not bait to take inventory it is a great idea. When I checked cams last night I could not believe the amount of real scrapes already.
Thanks for starting this thread Rick. I've been thinking about doing this. Looking forward to hearing from some experienced folks.
I started running mocks back in 2009 using Buck fever products. I talked with Troy extensively on the phone on the how/why/where of mocks. My 1st year I could've killed the big guy I was after but I messed up the shot. Like Troy told me you want the big buck in the area to think you're another buck in his area. Make him hunt you. I never set up my stands down wind of my mocks. I always set up on the cross wind side being 90% of the time they just scent check them from a distance anyway. Anyhow since that year I've had 4 different mature bucks I could've shot but chose to pass because they lacked inches. This stuff works. When I place mocks out I place them close to where I think a mature buck is bedding.
