Wicked Wick/Smokey's Deer Lure Report

[BDann]

I decided to try using one of the wicked wick setups to see if it worked as well as I'd read about.   After getting to the farm I realized that I had forgotten my piece of thick rope and "borrowed" some rope from the back of my cousin's truck.  It was much smaller, so I wrapped the rope around a branch, securing it with zip ties and leaving about 5-6" hanging off the end.  I did use rubber gloves for the entire process.

I applied the pre-oribtal gland very liberally to the rope, even dunking the rope into the bottle. Then I scraped up the dirt with my boots, and added about a dozen or so drops of the interdigital gland lure to the scrape.  Also, it is worth noting that the lure that I used was purchased last year, or maybe the year before.  Can't remember for sure.

The setup was made 9/1/14,  and the camera was checked by my brother in law on 10/11/14. I think the first pics were within a couple of days of the set up. There were over 500 pictures in all, at least 90% were bucks.  I counted 6 different bucks in all.

The cameras set up at feeders had way more does than bucks, and lots of other critters as well.  I plan on using this every year.

Here are a few of the shots.

 

 

 

 

Does too!

 

[kennyb]

That's real cool Brian! Good going! I like the pic on the 12th-from the back of the buck's head! Lol

Kenny    

[The Ole' Bowhunter]

Brian, my sons have been using Smokies preorbital gland lure for about three years with real good success however I have to say, that is one nice buck you captured on your trail camera.

[LC]

I went all in on this about 3 years ago. First let me say the state I live in it's rare for a buck to make it past 1 1/2 years old. So I don't get lots of pics of monster bucks but the first year I got lots of pics of bucks and does with their nose touching the rope. The next year it dropped off considerably. The price went up and I started experimenting with "other" scents. I've had equal success with "other" scents. In fact I have probably several hundred pics of deer, even some great bucks on licking branch set ups. Most, probably 90%, are with other scents.

Two things I've noticed. I don't bait so solely rely on scents to get pics. Almost every single set up the deer took over a overhanging branch near by. Deer and in fact all animals live by their nose and a lot of scents will have them stop by so you can get a pic. Bottom line a natural licking branch will always produce more pics YEAR AROUND and they are way more numerous than you think. But you can start a active licking branch yourself in the right spot. A "natural" licking branch is more easily passed by without notice by trespassers, other hunters, etc versus a scent rope and thus your trail camera is more likely to go unnoticed.

I've lately been trying a new idea as in methods, scents and media for applying. Atleast new to me and when I get more results I'll post the results but so far so good.