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Need advice!!!! #5410426 11/10/14 04:29 PM
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duckslayer1206 Offline OP
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So this is my first year now hunting, I've been hunting hard 2-3 times a week since September an have yet connect. This past week I've been getting more deer movement. Yesterday I had a young buck come through in the morning barely legal, then last night I saw 2-3 but one with a huge body had to be a buck, bigger than the one from the morning. The deer was coming through then stopped and disappeared, being curious I walked over where he was walking through and I found a very nice trail that I didn't know was there and a scrape that was like 3 ft long and 2 ft wide. My mock scrape I made is less than 20 yards from this scrape and I have a dripper with dominate buck that has been dripping for 2 weeks. So what does this mean? Why would he make a scrape away from my mock scrape? Granted I only hunt public and this is getting frustrating it does seem I'm getting closer to killing a deer with my bow. So what would you do now set up closer to the trail? I can't put out feed cause baiting is not allowed, can't put up a camera cause someone will steal it, but I'm out of ideas. I'm getting out smarted that's for sure.

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5410458 11/10/14 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted By: duckslayer1206
So this is my first year now hunting, I've been hunting hard 2-3 times a week since September an have yet connect. This past week I've been getting more deer movement. Yesterday I had a young buck come through in the morning barely legal, then last night I saw 2-3 but one with a huge body had to be a buck, bigger than the one from the morning. The deer was coming through then stopped and disappeared, being curious I walked over where he was walking through and I found a very nice trail that I didn't know was there and a scrape that was like 3 ft long and 2 ft wide. My mock scrape I made is less than 20 yards from this scrape and I have a dripper with dominate buck that has been dripping for 2 weeks. So what does this mean? Why would he make a scrape away from my mock scrape? Granted I only hunt public and this is getting frustrating it does seem I'm getting closer to killing a deer with my bow. So what would you do now set up closer to the trail? I can't put out feed cause baiting is not allowed, can't put up a camera cause someone will steal it, but I'm out of ideas. I'm getting out smarted that's for sure.


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Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5410490 11/10/14 04:43 PM
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I've watched deer at scrapes and from what I've seen, they all seem to use them and check them out. I've seen does and bucks alike stop and give them a sniff. I've seen multiple bucks using the same scrape. Likewise, I've seen deer totally ignore them. I've seen does pee on them as well. IMHO, a scrape isn't owned by one buck but more like a sign post where different deer "check in" and leave their mark. I simply use it as a sign that there may be a dominant buck in the area.

If you're seeing significant travel on the trail that you mentioned then it might be a good idea to set up within range of the trail.

Other than that, I can only suggest and encourage persistence.


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Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5410496 11/10/14 04:45 PM
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Sounds like your setup is good and you are getting activity. I would be patient and hunt as much as you can.


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Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: landsurveyor] #5410523 11/10/14 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted By: landsurveyor
Sounds like your setup is good and you are getting activity. I would be patient and hunt as much as you can.


^^^

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5410549 11/10/14 04:58 PM
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duckslayer1206 Offline OP
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Deer hunting was easy when I was a kid we had a lease in the hill country the feeder would go off pick one and shoot. But when the lease price got to the point where my dad and I couldn't afford it we started hunting public. This is where I learned how hard deer hunting can be, you actually have to hunt them not wait for the feeder. I guess I was spoiled as a kid got used to seeing 15-20 deer at a time. I like my spot, but I only see deer the first hour and the last hour. Which indicated they are still running at night correct? And I plan on setting closer but there is only 2 spots I can see the trail I can setup without getting busted. Thanks for explaining the scrape I thought one dominant buck makes it to mark his area. I know some of my questions seem dumb just still getting use to hunting this way, trial and error till I connect. The time in the stand and the money spent on supplies will be all worth it when I actually able to tag a deer with my bow. Were out of deer meat so I'm ready to tag!

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5410568 11/10/14 05:06 PM
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You seem to be doing fine, keep at it and enjoy yourself. There is no "dumb" question, only the one not asked. Most of us are here to help all we can. Don't let the unneeded, ignorant comments take away your enjoyment.

You and that buck just have to outwit one another. Hopefully you win.


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Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5410872 11/10/14 07:01 PM
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I don't worry bout comments just thankful for the advise I do receive, everyone has been where I am at and the only way to learn is to ask or trial and error.

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5410887 11/10/14 07:05 PM
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It is still trial and error for the most experienced hunters. That is what makes it so fun. There is no magic bullet except patience and persistence.

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5410890 11/10/14 07:06 PM
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duckslayer1206 Offline OP
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I usually duck hunt more than deer but for some reason this year I'm putting more time into deer hunting. I don't know I just don't give up easy I'm hoping I do outwit him.

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411084 11/10/14 08:10 PM
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You're on the right path. As said already try and find a spot close to the trail and remain patient. It'll pay off for you eventually and you'll love it even more once your hard work pays off

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411139 11/10/14 08:43 PM
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You were used to shooting and not hunting.

Now you are hunting. It takes a different breed to actually enjoy the hunt as much as the shot, that's what this forum is for. Learning, sharing, bragging, all about hunting and not just shooting (although there's a sub-forum or two for that). I know plenty of people that would rather die hungry than learn to hunt. It is fun and rewarding but at the same time mind boggling and frustrating. Sounds kind of like marriage.


Sounds like you are doing the right things, so just keep at it and eventually you will connect. Is there any chance he could smell you?

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: LandPirate] #5411147 11/10/14 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted By: LandPirate
I've watched deer at scrapes and from what I've seen, they all seem to use them and check them out. I've seen does and bucks alike stop and give them a sniff. I've seen multiple bucks using the same scrape. Likewise, I've seen deer totally ignore them. I've seen does pee on them as well. IMHO, a scrape isn't owned by one buck but more like a sign post where different deer "check in" and leave their mark. I simply use it as a sign that there may be a dominant buck in the area.

If you're seeing significant travel on the trail that you mentioned then it might be a good idea to set up within range of the trail.

Other than that, I can only suggest and encourage persistence.


X's2

I have 5 buck made scrapes with-in a 60' radius on my small place. I cleared a spot 3 weeks ago with my tractor bucket, that was the 1st spot and they started using it as well. Does will P in them to signal they are getting ready, then that sent is tracked all over hell and back on their hooves, buck checks scrape and follows trail, nose to ground. I have seen many different bucks at theses scrapes, it is a "sign post" as LP said, my Grandfather called them "whore house open" signs grin

Stay at it, you are learning things that will help you for a lifetime. Watch how deer react to your mock scrape and how they interact around each other at them, then file it away as you build a library of intel each year.


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Dennis

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411152 11/10/14 08:52 PM
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BTW, It has been my experience, that a scrape the size you mention, is generally made by a bigger buck, or at least a good one. 3'x4' is allot of pent up frustration and is a statement.


If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..

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Dennis

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411265 11/10/14 09:42 PM
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duckslayer1206 Offline OP
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I'll take a picture of it this week and see y'all's thoughts, I noticed 2-3 different size tracks in the scrape.

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411292 11/10/14 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted By: duckslayer1206
I'll take a picture of it this week and see y'all's thoughts, I noticed 2-3 different size tracks in the scrape.


I'd stay away from it until you connect with something, or wear rubber boots. If it's getting traffic, there will be many tracks, even small yearlings will "check it out"


If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..

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Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411294 11/10/14 09:53 PM
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Yeah that makes since

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411710 11/11/14 12:28 AM
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Ok so I know you mentioned to stay away from it but when I found it I was standing over it, could that mess things up? My dad mentioned that I should have taken the remains of the dripper and pour into that scrape to make the other buck mad, has anyone else ever done this? I kinda thought it would make the buck move out of the area if he felt "threatened" or something. maybe I'm over thinking everything. So like I said I've hunted 2-3 times a week the same spot, now that I have started seeing more activity I need to hunt more but due to work I can't till Friday will it be too late, like what is the chance in 4 days this buck and the activity stop? I hunt public I don't have a camera so I don't know when exactly they are moving or what is using the area.

Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411766 11/11/14 12:49 AM
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When planning a strategy around deer sign, consider the bigger picture and how the sign links to activity through the day and night. Studies have shown that bucks work their scrapes mostly at night. Look at the direction of scrapes an rubs to determine direction of travel, then combine this with the fact the bucks will be moving towards bedding areas in the early morning, and away from them and towards food sources in the evening. Study the area to determine where the bedding and feeding areas are located, then position your stands and hunt them accordingly.

Back in the day, hunters would always check the contents of every deer taken to see what they had been eating. From this they could get at least some idea of where the deer were headed once they left their bedding areas in the evening, and where they would be coming from in the early morning. In some cases, setups were very easy after finding browse in the stomachs of deer that were only growing in certain areas.


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Re: Need advice!!!! [Re: duckslayer1206] #5411931 11/11/14 02:01 AM
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i would move yer dripper to that scrape. gl


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