Scrapes in PA Already?! What the Heck?!

[ThePushArchery]

I was out scouting a new property yesterday, a mighty fine honey hole I must say...

I found not one, BUT TWO fresh scrapes along the same deer trail, and I mean F R E S H.

Whats the deal?! Anyone have any insight into what this confused buck is thinking right now?

[mrjsl]

Where I live, not every scrape is all about the rut. Some seem to be territorial - usually found along some kind of edge.

[Steelhead]

I agree!Not much different than a dog or cat marking the boundaries of thier core area and home range.Just a message that I am here and this is my turf.

[kevin braun]

If there are several bucks in an area they have been known to "scrape" year round.  This would be a case of marking not breeding scrapes.  I found a spot a couple years ago in July that there was a line of about 10 scrapes in 100yards. My cousin, who is a deer bioligist said that it was common where there is a lot of competition.  We probably don't see it that much due to not spending much time in the woods in the Summer.

[John3]

I've found "edge" scrapes as early as the third week in August.... Hunt that honeyhole..!!

[Dry Creek]

Thanks for sharing, learn something new everyday!

[Hawkeye]

Walked around the edge of our back cornfield last night, and got a SNOOTFUL of what smelled like buck scent at one spot.  Smelled like rut was at full bore.  I know it isn't, but I wonder if there was a buck lying back in a few rows letting me pass by.  Won't be too long, now!

[browndown]

I live in Pa end have one about 80 yards behind my house. I set up a trial cam and have had a few buck hit the scrape. Season can't start soon enough.

[jackdaw]

Man... it's only august and that gets my blood pumping already!! Got a new Holcomb that is screaming to go lauch an Ace broadhead at a whitetail......start the countdown.....

[VTer]

Was your buddy walking ahead of you?  

[mrjsl]

I used to try to make sense of scrapes, but I have never killed a deer strictly by hunting in relation to a scrape. I focus on different things.

But, beware of listening to me. I also don't care too much for hunting around feed trees, food plots and I don't use scents or scent eliminator. Or grunt calls. Or rattling.

I deer hunt the way I duck hunt - watch ducks, watch where they want to go, watch the wind, and when you find a place where they want to go AND there is a good ambush spot with the prevailing wind in your favor then you have the best chance.

There are places where so much is in your favor it's easy to kill deer there regularly. These places are hard to find, and once found, may not have a ton of sign right where you need to set up.

[adkmountainken]

about 3 years ago i held a hunt here and had a nice racked buck go by member Woodchucker grunting the whole way just out of bow range. that was SEPTEMBER 27!!!!! sometimes i think urges just hit them.

[LCH]

I  have seen this before they were usually under a licking branch and small in size. I have seen first year bucks make them. LCH