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Scrape numbers this year

the past week or so they have been making scrapes like crazy. I went to some private property Sunday afternoon, i think Helen Keller could have found a scrape there lol
 
Came across one yesterday in SE PA and it was the first natural scrape of the year I’ve found. Two of my mock scrapes were active through September into October but not like past years and the one has went completely cold minus some doe activity in it currently. A third one got a few visits but just some sniffing and it was random at best... weird start to the season no doubt here in SE PA and N’rn WV.
 
I found 5 or 6 last weekend here in Ks. I honestly haven’t been looking to hard until then though.
 
Scrapes were all over the place where I hunt the first week of October but now they have gone cold. Had 5 different bucks hitting a mock scrape I made in the middle of a natural scrape line for about 2 weeks. Since then only a few does and bucks aren’t using that line anymore.
 
Things are a changin'.
Ive had a few good last few evenings watching my plots from the house.
Watched several scrape sequences and sparring has picked up.
Tarsal staining is increasing too, which is a product of rub urinating in scrapes. Staining is noticable on one buck that had no stains just a week ago. I love big, old stained and stnky hocks!!

Had something I wish I could have photographed tonight...
Deer started acting a little spooky, tails flared and intently watching something obviously approaching. My switchgrass patch blocked my view of the approaching "thing". I told my wife..."I bet its a fox coming" because I've seen deer behave like this when they see fox. Yep, out poped TWO beautiful grey fox, with 3 bucks and 2 does watching just a few yards away...all in the same frame. It would have been a fantastic photo, but it was too dark and there was porch clutter in the photo frame.

Pre rut activity is definitely on the upswing.
Seems like things are 1-2 weeks later this year, but its starting to happen now. Time to get excited.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
This is one of the reasons why I think it's not what it should be at this point. I can assess my property very closely and I have for over 30 years. Our buck herd this year is probably more mature than it's ever been. And these are bucks that live here, they aren't just pass-thru bucks. I have perennial scrapes that are right under the same trees, year in and year out. This year, the more mature bucks are walking right by them...my trail cams prove it.
I assume the scrapes will get active when the bucks decide the time is right. Apparently, the time ain't right for whatever the reason. It's just an odd year here on my place.
I was wondering if it's like that in other areas.
My buck:doe ratio is really bad this year. Way too many does. That may be a contributing factor.
Click to expand...
Strange, i am probably seeing more than usual compared to this time period in past years in my area. We had some rain 2 days ago and then crazy wind yesterday, so i did not hunt. Today i noticed several scrapes freshly worked, just not while i was there this morning unfortunately.
 
From year to year based primarily on food source locations, scrape areas will change. Crop rotations and mast and fruit production will cause many variations.
 
Got 4 1/2 hours of scouting in this past weekend and found quite a few scrapes and rubs, mostly small ones that I would assume small bucks are making. In southern Illinois
 
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