Mock Scrapes and Deer Toys

My phone buzzed. A cell cam notification had just come through. A quick look at the screen showed a young buck playing with the deer toy I'd placed at a well-used trail intersection. The first time I saw deer playing with these toys, I was amazed. I'd seen the advertising, but just couldn't wrap my head around the idea of strategically placing things out in the woods that would entice deer to stop and play with them. Indeed, exactly as I'd heard, there was a buck stopped in the center of the frame of my trail camera, and he was fiddling around with the HODAG HempScent Rope I'd placed at head height.

Over the last 45 years, I've learned a few things about deer hunting. Plenty of mistakes were made along the way, and I've tried some crazy things-some of which actually worked, in turn revolutionizing the way I hunt. Two of the most significant involved making and hunting over mock scrapes, along with my newest introduction to the world of deer toys. Allow me to explain.

Competing Scrapes

If you follow my column, you know I'm big on hunting over primary scrapes, and making a mock scrape next to one of these can be dynamite for creating competition. I've taken many bucks over scrapes that I made myself. Sometimes, natural scrapes are made in places less conducive to setting a tree stand or ground blind. By crafting a mock scrape that, in essence, competes with the natural scrape, we call out' resident bucks and lay down a challenge. The key lies in making your mock scrape look and smell as good, or even better, than the natural one. Dominant bucks in particular are usually eager to accept the challenge and they will often take over the mock scrape, servicing it themselves.

Care should be taken when making a mock scrape. I like to wear gloves and use a stick to scrape back the ground anywhere from two or three feet in diameter. As a rule, I kick back the leaves and earth in one direction to make it look natural. I then spray scent in the scrape. I've had incredible success with Tink's (synthetic) Scrape Starter and have taken many bucks with a bow and a gun using this combination. Doe estrus scent is a must, but if you really want to fabricate the air of legitimate competition, consider using dominant buck scent as well. Don't overdo it. Remember, a deer's sense of smell is strong. A little goes a long way. It's more important to service your scrape daily. The fresher you make the mock scrape look and smell, the better.

One of the biggest problems we all face when looking to place a mock scrape in front of a stand or blind is the absence of a decent licking branch where we prefer to put the scrape. My initial introduction to commercial mock scrape accessories and deer toys was during the 2023 fall season. Filming for Wild TV's Bowzone Live show, the producer provided samples for us to experiment with and document for the show. They literally make the perfect solution for mock scrapes with their Licking Branch System. The system comes with a FlexPlate™, three anchoring screws, and an 8 oz. bottle of AllSeason Scent™. AllSeason Scent™ is made of 100% natural compounds, containing no deer urine or glandular scent. Using a patented spring setup, allows the Licking Branch System to bounce up and down, mimicking the movement of a natural branch. Robust, it handles the abuse of even the most aggressive whitetail bucks.

Using a T30-sized torx head, this mock scrape system can be mounted on any tree using the included anchoring screws or a 1" ratchet strap. Treat the installed licking branch with some of the included AllSeason Scent™, and you'll jumpstart physical interaction on your mock scrape licking branch setup. This attracts bucks to leave their scent purposely or inadvertently on your mock scrape, triggering a snowball effect of deer scent communication.

Best Deer Toy... Ever!

As far as deer toys are concerned, I was initially skeptical. Marry the mock scrape strategy during the pre-and peak rut period with the use of deer toys throughout the early season, and you're sure to attract much more action to your stand sites.

I've seen a lot of gimmicks in the hunting industry, and I wasn't sure what to think about it.

Pleasantly surprised by the results, after having one of them out for only a few hours, deer were magically visiting, and actually playing with them!

Another HODAG Outdoors product, these toys are now an integral part of my deer hunting arsenal. One of my favourites is their HempScent Rope Multi-Setup System. It comes in a package containing a thick 6' length of 3/4" HempScent rope, and an 8 oz. bottle of AllSeason Scent™, essentially Hodag's unique blend of attractant that deer find irresistible. Initially, I had my doubts about the whole Hemp thing, but I can tell from firsthand experience that this is no gimmick. Something about it draws deer in like moths to a flame. To make the rope go as far as possible, I cut it into six, foot-long lengths. Before placing it out in the woods, I soak it with the AllSeason Scent™. Tying a length of paracord on to each piece, then hanging it at head height, ideally where I want deer to stop, l've learned that I can condition them to visit and pause for a few minutes to play with it. While does will check it out, I find that bucks especially like to bump the rope around with their antlers. This is ideal for any stand hunter, and especially for bowhunters. Having the ability to stop the deer right where you want them to stand for a shot is extremely advantageous.

As hunters, we understand the value and power of deer scent communication.

What many don't know is that deer communicate via scent year-round. This HempScent Rope can be effectively used over a mock scrape as well. It allows you to make mock scrapes exactly where you want them to achieve year-round deer interaction. Hanging the HempScent Rope and applying the AllSeason scent to create initial interaction, you can jumpstart a mock scrape to put deer in front of your trail camera or deer stand, almost instantly.

HODAG also makes something called the Licking Stick System, which is basically a mounting system that you can set up in any desired location to pause deer to sniff and lick wherever you want them to stand still. Similarly, it comes with a Licking Stick FlexPlate™, a couple 12" anchoring stakes, and an 8 oz. bottle of AllSeason Scent™. Natural licking sticks are used by deer for scent communication year-round.

The Licking Stick System gives you everything you need to create a Licking Stick wherever you choose, whether that be in front of your trail camera or in front of your deer hunting stand or blind. Basically, you can use it to establish a deer scent communication hub similar to a mock scrape that will be used year-round by taking advantage of a whitetail deer's natural behaviour and curiosity. Treat the mock licking stick with their AllSeason Scent™, and you'll start seeing action in no time. 

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