Find these communication centers to kill more deer.
Scrapes and rubs are communication centers for deer, and hunters should not overlook setting up on a scrape or rub line. Generally these are located in the travel corridors located in transitions zones, where two habitat types come together. Hunters need to know some information about deer behavior around scrapes and rubs.
The pre-rut and scrape-initiation period is not the best time to hunt the scrapes and rubs. Hunt the food sources during the early season.
Using trail cameras on a couple of scrapes will pinpoint the peak times, and when successive visits begin to occur, that is the time to set-up in the area.
More than one buck will work a scrape, so do not be too trigger happy.
Does and nubby bucks will work the scrape, and this is probably not the place to shoot a doe.
Grunting and rattling around active scrapes during the peak period may produce desirable results.
Hunt the scrapes and rubs during both months of activity; bucks will continue to work scrapes and spar throughout the entire breeding season.
Doe and nubby buck visits will increase during the second period of activity.
Be smart and use the wind when setting up on a scrape, and keep in mind you do not have to be right over it.
Editor’s note: This article is part of the 2011 Rut report feature in the September issue of Louisiana Sportsman. Digital editions can be downloaded right to your computer or smartphone.
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