How To Make Your Own Deer Scrape

Deer hunters can learn a lot from a dog. My Labrador Jackson loves for me to take him for a walk around the neighborhood. Naturally, he will tug at the lead and try to make sure he leaves his mark on any lamppost, mailbox or fire hydrant he can. Why? Because he is a male dog and he can’t help it.

Buck deer do the same thing with scrapes and it is one of the best ways to attract a big buck. Scrapes are areas on the ground, usually under tree branches that overhang about 40” off the ground, where deer scrape the soil with their hooves, urinate in the soil and rub their scent on the overhanging branches. Deer, like dogs, all smell different to each other and they have an instinct to mark their territory.

During the whitetail breeding time (or the rut as it’s commonly called by hunters) bucks visit scrapes regularly to see who’s been in the area. It will also attract does that mark the scrape with their urine which tells a buck if she is ready to be bred. With many deer urine products on the market today, it makes it a breeze to trick a whitetail into showing up for the hunter. Even if there is not a scrape in the area, a hunter can create a mock scrape that will work as well as the real thing.

Here’s how to do it:

First, locate a fresh scrape and shovel the dirt where the deer have already urinated on it into a clean odor free container. Usually a couple of gallons of soil will work. Then cut the over hanging branches from above the real scrape that the deer have been rubbing on.

Next, locate the area where you would like to attract deer where overhanging branches are present. Disturb the soil and spread the new dirt on top. Then tie the branches in with wire above the dirt about 40” high. Twist ties from bread wrappers work well. To make this mock scrape even more irresistible, hang a scent dripper or scented wick above the branches. I generally use a product called “Special Golden Estrus” as my primary commercially made scent. It is made by Wildlife Research Center (see wildlife.com) for more info.

And don’t forget to use Scent Killer before you do all this so that you minimize the human scent you leave behind!

Finally, take a good look at your mock scrape and then leave for a couple of days. Because when you return, you will notice you have created an area that deer simply can’t resist visiting.

I have used this technique for years and been able to get some incredible results and it doesn’t take long to work.

The best part is, when the first buck uses the mock scrape it becomes a real scrape. You can learn a lot from a dog, as long as you are almost as smart as he is and be willing to learn.

Keith Warren

Keith Warren is an icon in the outdoor television industry and a devoted conservationist. He has been producing and hosting television shows specifically geared to outdoorsmen since 1984 and has appeared on networks such as Outdoor Channel, VERSUS, ESPN, ESPN II, Sportsman’s Channel and Pursuit Channel.

Keith hosts two nationally broadcast television shows, The High Road with Keith Warren and Deer & Wildlife Stories with Keith Warren.

Keith is an exceptional big game hunter and expert marksman, shooting long guns and handguns as well as archery equipment and his marksmanship is evident in his hunting videos.

Keith is a Texas native who grew up in Dallas. As a young child he began hunting and fishing with his family. For more than 3 decades, he has worked tirelessly to help motivate more Americans enjoy the great outdoors. “When people are connected to nature, they make better choices,” says Warren. “People in the 21st century need to become better connected to nature and realize that we all share a responsibility to take care of our precious natural resources.”

Keith Warren was the recipient of countless awards. Here is a list of some of them. The 2003 Bass Pro Shops “Pass It On Award,” more than 3 dozen regional and national Awards from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association and the Outdoor Writers Association of America for Excellence in video production, the 1st place award from OWAA in 2003. He received more awards from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association than all other programs combined. Keith was nominated in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 for Outdoor Channel’s Golden Moose Award in the “Fan Favorite” hunting and fishing categories. He was selected Best Show Host in 2007 and 2009 for Sportsman’s Channel. He has received over a dozen coveted Telly Awards. In addition, Keith was the recipient of the Hal Swiggett Award, which recognizes excellence in outdoor journalism and outstanding service to the sport of fair chase hunting.

Keith also earned the rank Eagle Scout at the young age of twelve years old and is one of the youngest ever to earn that rank.