Mock Scrapes That Actually Get Hit: Location, Setup, and Strategy
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Mock scrapes are one of the most powerful tools you can use to inventory bucks, create consistent movement, and build a pattern on your property. The key isn’t just scratching up some dirt and dumping scent. The magic comes from two things:
- Location
- The licking branch
Get those right, and your mocks can become year-round communication hubs bucks and does both visit.
Why Scrapes Matter So Much
Scrapes are like a message board for deer. When a buck hits a scrape, he’s:
- Leaving scent from his glands, urine, and saliva
- Checking who’s been there and how recently
- Sorting out dominance and timing of does
Does and younger bucks also check and use scrapes. That’s why a good scrape location pulls in deer across different age classes and sexes. It’s not just a rut thing. It’s a communication thing.
The Non-Negotiable: A Good Licking Branch
You can’t have a real scrape without a licking branch.
Look for:
- A branch about 4–6 feet off the ground
- Positioned over where you want the scrape on the ground
- Flexible enough to withstand repeated chewing, rubbing, and thrashing
If one isn’t there naturally:
- Zip-tie or wire a branch to an existing limb
- Use a vine hanging at nose level—deer love working vines
Once you have a good licking branch, then you worry about the dirt.
Best Locations for Mock Scrapes
You can make a mock scrape anywhere. But if you want one that gets hammered, focus on places deer already feel safe and naturally travel.
Top locations:
- Field edges and inside corners – where timber meets food and deer stage before stepping out.
- Entry/exit trails to food plots or ag fields – put the scrape just inside cover where they pause.
- Funnel pinch points – saddles, necked-down timber, creek crossings.
- Hub intersections – where multiple trails from bedding and feeding come together.
Think about wind too:
- Ideally, bucks can cruise downwind of a line of scrapes.
- You, as the hunter, want to be just off the main wind line so you can hunt it without getting busted.
How to Build a Mock Scrape Step-by-Step
- Pick the tree with a licking branch (or set one up).
-
Clear the ground
Use a boot or small rake to scrape away leaves and debris in an oval shape around 2–3 feet wide. -
Expose dark soil
The contrast of black dirt attracts attention. -
Add your scent
A few drops or a light spray of your chosen mock scrape, gland, or urine scent. Don’t drench it—less is more. -
Scent the licking branch
Apply gland scent or a very small amount of urine to the branch. This is what deer will work with their nose, mouth, and forehead.
From there, let the deer take over. As they paw, urinate, and work the branch, they “take ownership” and maintain it for you.
Camera and Stand Placement Around Mock Scrapes
If you’re using mocks to inventory deer:
- Place a camera 6–10 feet off the ground, angled down.
- Position it 8–10 yards off the scrape.
- Run video or 3-shot bursts to capture behavior.
If you’re using mocks to kill deer:
- Your stand or saddle tree should be downwind or crosswind of the scrape.
- Keep it just off the main trail—not right on top of it.
- Consider thermals in hill country; morning vs evening can change where your wind goes.
Seasonal Tweaks
- Late Summer / Early Season: Focus on field edges and travel to food. Bucks in bachelor groups will start checking scrapes lightly.
- Pre-Rut / Rut: Mocks in funnels and between bedding areas shine. Rotate or freshen scents to match local behavior.
- Post-Rut / Winter: Some scrapes go cold, but hubs near food or thermal cover can still get traffic.
Troubleshooting Mock Scrapes
If your mock scrape isn’t getting hit:
- You might be too exposed. Move it just inside cover.
- The licking branch may be too high, too low, or too flimsy. Adjust it.
- You may be over-hunting it and educating deer.
Remember: the mock is only part of the system. You’re giving deer another reason to spend time and communicate where you want them to—not forcing them somewhere they don’t naturally want to be.