Scraping already?

[fireman]

I was out fine tuning some stands the other day and was walking along the edge of some trees and an alfalfa field. I happened to notice an area that looked like it had been scraped. Upon closer examination, I found it was a scrape, overhanging branches were broke and hoof prints in the dirt. Ended up finding 5 different scrapes along a 200-300 yrd stretch.

Has anybody else seen scrapes this early in the year? Normally start seeing scrapes around mid october.

[Cooter]

Two years ago a friend arrowed a nice buck working a scrape on the bow opener.

[Guest]

North Dakota hunting last weekend and saw 1 scrape and numerous rubs.

[Chris_Wallace]

Yes they are scraping, I have found a couple so far.

[Cooter]

If you find a worked scrape this early it can be an absolute hotspot. Good luck. Part of the early season feeding pattern that produces.

[subzero]

I have seen scrapes this early but in my case the deer were visiting them after dark. After a couple of weeks it seemed that they didn't freshen them at all and about a week later new scrapes started showing up in different places and these scrapes I have had the best luck hunting over.

[EXTREME]

My experience with scrapes this early is that they are little bucks. I think that they get the urge because of their inexperience.....but you never know. Good luck!!

[frozen toes]

I am guessing these scrapes were pretty small, right on the edge of the alfalfa field, and they were more than likely relatively close together, right? My experience is they are made early by younger bucks during the night. I have never seen a buck use the small field scrapes in the early part of the season. While hunting them now would more than likely be futile, it does tell you that you have bucks in the area. It also says that Fall is finally here, YIIIIPPPPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! This time of year is the all time best.

[gorrilla]

I've located scrapes already too. One is about 3ft by 4ft and 6 yards from my stand. From scouting I already know there are more large bucks than small in the neighboring properties(2.5 and up compared to 1.5's). But when someone says that a scrape means you have a buck in the area and he can tell you what size it is even??? Its been documented that even does and fawns utilize scrapes. Just try placing a camera near one once. With that said, all I can say is you can't shoot em where they ain't!!! If I score on one of the bruisers I've seen you'll all know soon.

[fireman]

Thanks for all the replies. Seeing scrapes this early in the year really does get the blood boiling, so I ended up going out today and bought a game cam. I not going to be able to hunt until sunday evening, so with the camera,I hope to see what has been making those scrapes.

It sure is going to be hard to sleep the next few nights with thoughts of big bucks dancing through my head.

Good luck to everyone this weekend.

[Cooter]

Found a scrape last night while setting up a ground blind. Really pawed up with a half broken licking branch above. Nice, fresh rub on a 4 inch tree 20 yards from the scrape. While I was setting up the blind I had 4 deer come in, two were small bucks for sure and I couldn't tell what the last one was. Hope its not just those little farts tearing up the area - will find out Sun or Monday.

[tjm]

These are typical scrape lines made 1-2 weeks after they rub off the velvet.From my past experience these are made when you have several 1-2 1/2 year old bucks in a close feeding grounds or beding area.Normaly made well after hunting hours.You might have a better chance on a hot afternoon if you can find a line heading to or from water.

A high percent of these early scrape/rub lines wont even be used by the deer making them now once they get ranked.

My advice is spend a little cash by a cam this will answer most of your questions.Cheap cams work good enough to answer most of your ?'s

Good luck to everyone this fall as well.Have a good safe time.