Deer scrapes?

[Bob B.]

Well, maybee I am just forgetting when this first appears, but many bucks around me have lost their velvet ... pretty normal this time of year.  However, I have found 4 scrapes with licking branches on the edges of a small bean field near 2 of my bow stands.  I do not recall seeing scrapes in early September.  Is this early or am I not remembering correctly?

Bob.

[LeverActionman]

I found four scrapes yesterday also and I don't remember seeing scrapes this early ever.I'm in central North Carolina and the acorns are falling already also.seems everything is happening early this year.

[Mudd]

You guys are making a point that I hope doesn't go overlooked.

The mast crop is dropping so guys who are concerned that the critters aren't coming into their feeders should not get too awfully concerned.

The deer are just doing what comes natural to them and vacuuming up the spoils that are readily available to them... everywhere!!!!

Thank you!

God bless,Mudd

[Jerry Jeffer]

I know of a few scrapes that stay active all year. Once the changes start that cause the velvet to dry up, any thing can happen.

[Whip]

I found a couple this weekend as well. Not really unusual. As soon as the velvet comes off they are likely to start pawing in spots. Doesn't mean much right now as far as how to hunt, but a sign of things to come!

[John3]

I've found "edge" scrapes as early as the third week of August...

[Bob B.]

Thanks for the info fellas.  I guess I just do not remember seeing them so early.

Bob.

[Pat B]

A surge of testosterone is what makes the velvet release from the antlers. This is the beginning of the rut(pre-rut). The bucks generally become loners, the dominant does run last years buck fawns off and the scrapes begin in earnest. Deer will scrape all year as scent markers but from now until the full rut the scraping activity and intensity will increase. Deer activity changes at this time of year too.  I have my trail cam sitting over a scrape was was fresh on Friday. I'll give it until next week before I check it out.

[toppredator]

I have found scrapes this early and I have set up mock scrapes and have had them get hit this early too.  These spots, in my experience, turn into awesome hotspots throughout the season.  Seems like the scrapes that pop up this time of year really stay active.