Field-edge scrapes versus back-in-the-woods scrapes

[BSK]

In previous posts on the topic, I had mentioned my data on this topic - buck use of field-edge scrapes versus back-in-the-woods scrapes - and mentioned that field-edge scrape usage in daylight rapidly declines over the course of the season, while it only slowly declines for back-in-the-woods scrapes. In addition, I had pointed out that my trail-cam data showed that woods scrapes see more daylight usage most of the season, especially post-October.

However, I noticed something interesting while doing a deep dive into this data last night. It turns out the trend of more daylight usage of woods scrapes does NOT hold true in an acorn failure year. In fact, field-edge scrapes see more daylight usage in an acorn failure year, and this is true throughout the season. Daylight usage still declines a little from month to month as the season progresses in an acorn failure year, but each month's daylight usage percentages for field-edge scrapes are still higher than for woods scrapes.

Just a FYI.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Do you think it is because the does are forced to graze in the fields more due to the mast failure?

 

[Lost Lake]

Do you think it is because the does are forced to graze in the fields more due to the mast failure?

I'm seeing this a lot this year. Woods are dead.

 

[BSK]

Do you think it is because the does are forced to graze in the fields more due to the mast failure?

Yes. The bucks scrape where other bucks are, and other bucks are in the fields because the does are in the fields.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Pretty sure the buck my son shot at yesterday afternoon laid down two new scrapes yesterday afternoon, they were both fresh. Found them last night when we went back to check for sign he hit the deer. They were both on the edge of a brush pile. Got pics this morning of another buck working a scrape on the edge. We did have a fair acorn crop this year, so not sure how that plays into your data. I will have to pay closer attention to the scrapes in the woods, I know one that was in front of one of my stands has gone cold.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

For whatever reason, they are scraping more on my place than previous years.

 

[BSK]

Pretty sure the buck my son shot at yesterday afternoon laid down two new scrapes yesterday afternoon, they were both fresh. Found them last night when we went back to check for sign he hit the deer. They were both on the edge of a brush pile. Got pics this morning of another buck working a scrape on the edge. We did have a fair acorn crop this year, so not sure how that plays into your data. I will have to pay closer attention to the scrapes in the woods, I know one that was in front of one of my stands has gone cold.

Over the years, I've noticed that on my place - with an excellent sex ratio and decent buck age structure (7-8% of bucks are mature) - we will see a 7-10 day period where the scrapes "go dead." And by that, I mean the scrapes stop being reopened. Now cameras on these scrapes show yearlings and 2 1/2 year-olds are still visiting during this "dead" period, but they are only working the overhanging limb and not pawing the scrape. Then suddenly, bucks start reopening the scrapes again. I've always suspected this 7-10 day dead period is lockdown - the peak of breeding. Once the peak number of does have been bred, bucks go back to what they were doing just before peak breeding - cruising, scraping, and pestering does.

 

[Bgoodman30]

This season is the least amount of scrapes I have ever seen. They were everywhere last season.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Over the years, I've noticed that on my place - with an excellent sex ratio and decent buck age structure (7-8% of bucks are mature) - we will see a 7-10 day period where the scrapes "go dead." And by that, I mean the scrapes stop being reopened. Now cameras on these scrapes show yearlings and 2 1/2 year-olds are still visiting during this "dead" period, but they are only working the overhanging limb and not pawing the scrape. Then suddenly, bucks start reopening the scrapes again. I've always suspected this 7-10 day dead period is lockdown - the peak of breeding. Once the peak number of does have been bred, bucks go back to what they were doing just before peak breeding - cruising, scraping, and pestering does.

That makes perfect sense. They probably don't engage in as much scraping activity while they are locked down on does. Our peak of the primary rut here is usually the second week of November.

 

[kaizen leader]

As usual your info is invaluable and much appreciated. You certainly have a passion to understand deer behavior. You must have a fantastic place. Thank you.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Over the years, I've noticed that on my place - with an excellent sex ratio and decent buck age structure (7-8% of bucks are mature) - we will see a 7-10 day period where the scrapes "go dead." And by that, I mean the scrapes stop being reopened. Now cameras on these scrapes show yearlings and 2 1/2 year-olds are still visiting during this "dead" period, but they are only working the overhanging limb and not pawing the scrape. Then suddenly, bucks start reopening the scrapes again. I've always suspected this 7-10 day dead period is lockdown - the peak of breeding. Once the peak number of does have been bred, bucks go back to what they were doing just before peak breeding - cruising, scraping, and pestering does.

I agree, and from what i have seen the last 7 days is that they are locked down right now. Young bucks are mostly still chasing does but overall my doe group sightings are way down.

 

[backyardtndeer]

doe group sightings are way down.

They are for the most part grouped back up here. Had I think 9 antlerless at one point yesterday morning. There are still a few singles around though, buck my son shot at yesterday afternoon was following one. Your rut there must be just a little behind ours.

 

[Bgoodman30]

I agree, and from what i have seen the last 7 days is that they are locked down right now. Young bucks are mostly still chasing does but overall my doe group sightings are way down.

Seeing more and more does. I guess they are finished up...

 

[Bone Collector]

In previous posts on the topic, I had mentioned my data on this topic - buck use of field-edge scrapes versus back-in-the-woods scrapes - and mentioned that field-edge scrape usage in daylight rapidly declines over the course of the season, while it only slowly declines for back-in-the-woods scrapes. In addition, I had pointed out that my trail-cam data showed that woods scrapes see more daylight usage most of the season, especially post-October.

However, I noticed something interesting while doing a deep dive into this data last night. It turns out the trend of more daylight usage of woods scrapes does NOT hold true in an acorn failure year. In fact, field-edge scrapes see more daylight usage in an acorn failure year, and this is true throughout the season. Daylight usage still declines a little from month to month as the season progresses in an acorn failure year, but each month's daylight usage percentages for field-edge scrapes are still higher than for woods scrapes.

Just a FYI.

Glad you posted this. Tried to make two rope scrapes and per your advice made them in the woods. No deer have used them... Did find 2 in the woods that deer made. They have dried up and/or have leaves in them. I do have post oaks and they do produce most every year that I can recall. They produced this year, but unlike most years where there are so many of those tiny things that there are always left overs, this year there are none, because there are hardly any other acorns. Scraping is always sparse on my place, but generally there are always some on the powerline (field edge) and some in the woods. This year the two I have found have been in the woods near post oaks.

 

[Bone Collector]

Over the years, I've noticed that on my place - with an excellent sex ratio and decent buck age structure (7-8% of bucks are mature) - we will see a 7-10 day period where the scrapes "go dead." And by that, I mean the scrapes stop being reopened. Now cameras on these scrapes show yearlings and 2 1/2 year-olds are still visiting during this "dead" period, but they are only working the overhanging limb and not pawing the scrape. Then suddenly, bucks start reopening the scrapes again. I've always suspected this 7-10 day dead period is lockdown - the peak of breeding. Once the peak number of does have been bred, bucks go back to what they were doing just before peak breeding - cruising, scraping, and pestering does.

I think that is where I am. mature bucks have disappeared. Last week when I had to be at work for two days straight every large buck I had on my place was out during the daylight at some point, while I was at work... by the time I could get out there, it was slow. I did see a 2.5 8 pt (maybe a 7 pt) with a doe, on the gun opener. He chased a spike off and left with her. He was back 3 days later by himself, but disappeared completely for 3 days.

 

[killingtime 41]

I think that is where I am. mature bucks have disappeared. Last week when I had to be at work for two days straight every large buck I had on my place was out during the daylight at some point, while I was at work... by the time I could get out there, it was slow. I did see a 2.5 8 pt (maybe a 7 pt) with a doe, on the gun opener. He chased a spike off and left with her. He was back 3 days later by himself, but disappeared completely for 3 days.

This is the time of the rut I find bigger 3.5 and older bucks show up I've never seen before on the hunt for any doe's not bred. Then again a little later in December the same. At that point in the later stages I think it's the fawns coming in the first time. No proof just an assumption I've made over the years.

 

[Dumbluck]

Every property i hunt this year has been nearly void of scrapes. They are so few that you had to really search for them, of course most of them are in areas that frequently have scrapes annually but the number of scrapes has been extremely low. But the aggression of the bucks toward each other this year has been extremely high. I sat today and hunted with my nephew from daylight til dark and pondered on this for hours.

I'm wondering with the lack of scrapes which is a communication hub for the deer if it didn't increase the aggression. The deer will often use scrapes to help show thier dominance. It makes me wonder if altercations and aggression increased due to the lack assertion of that dominance through scrape activities.

So in other words when the bucks run across each other they do not know who is dominant and who is not increasing their aggression toward each other. When in past seasons where they have scraped normally and they run across each other one of the bucks typically immediately becomes passive toward the other one.

 

[deerhunter10]

Scrapes have been dead for us for 5ish days. Saw a few 3.5 year olds back in them last night.

I've never experienced such heavy feeding while the rut is still going on and for us a decently intense rut at that. No complaints on our end. Just weird. I would assume lack of acorns are attributing to that as well.

 

[megalomaniac]

Interesting!

I havent stepped in the woods in 15 years, so don't know what is going on this year compared to years past, BUT I have watched more bucks and does hit field edge scrapes this year than I have ever seen. Assuming it's due to lack of acorns, and the food plots are the central meet and greet locations for bucks and does to announce their readiness

 

[TnKen]

I think it just has to do with where the largest number of does spend their time. Food=does=bucks during the rut.