MA KE DEER DANCE WITH MOCK SCRAPES

I typically start articles with an anecdote about how the topic of the piece played into a hunt. But mock scrapes have likely been involved in almost any hunt I’ve experienced.

I don’t believe there’s a more powerful — and underrated — scouting and hunting tool than mock scrapes. Here’s why and how you can make the most of them in your hunting and scouting efforts.

THE POWER

First, I must justify my statement about mock scrapes — specifically that they’re a powerful, yet underrated scouting and hunting tool. I’ll start that with a twist: Don’t expect mock scrapes to drag a buck from three ridges away to within bow range, or that mock scrapes will transform your hunting. I’ll save such claims for the overly eager marketing departments of some scent companies.

I believe wildly exaggerated claims are one of the primary reasons so many hunters shun scents and mock scrapes. They’ve heard wild claims, and some might have even believed them, but ultimately realized those