How to Fool Deer with Mock Scrapes

Building a mock scrape may seem as easy as clearing a circle of debris with a sharp stick, yet those who score consistently with this technique know the tactic is much more involved and doesn’t always follow common sense.

Michael Wilson was hunting the far side of a ridge in Ohio. As he hiked into his area on the near side, he noticed several large fresh scrapes in the leaves. Wanting to move those deer to his stand, he “negated” their attraction by human urination. Surely, the smell of his “post” would keep bucks away. Returning back through the area that evening, he was astounded to see the scrapes pawed to shreds. Who knew? Cody Larimore covers this topic extensively in this AllOutdoor post.

Mock deer scrapes are a great technique that, when used properly, can increase your chances for success this fall. Besides placement, the success of your mock scrape will depend on the types of scents you put in it and when you use those scents. Mock scrape scents are the key needed to ignite the figurative engine in a buck’s quest for dominance. To make an effective mock scrape that will attract a mature buck, the proper scents must be deployed.

How to Make a Mock Scrape

Before I dive into mock scrape scents, we must first know how to actually make a mock scrape. Many hunters simply walk into the woods, remove some leaves in a circle on the forest floor and saturate that area with doe urine to attract a buck. Then they wonder why they didn’t see a buck at that scrape. In order to properly construct a mock scrape, one must realize that they are emulating an action of a mature buck. This means being completely scent free from head to toe by wearing rubber boots and rubber gloves and wearing scent control clothing, or at least spraying down with a scent eliminator. To avoid disturbing the deer in the area, build your mock scrapes in mid-morning or during the middle of the day when deer will be the least active.

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