Decided to do the mock scape with tied vine licking branch hanging down from an overhead limb. I'm very surprised how much more activity I'm getting compared to a normal mock scrape set up. Hardly any scraping but a lot of activity on the vine licking branch.

Have you tried Smokey's Orbital and Wicked Wicks? Gene and Barry have had great success with them.

https://smokeysdeerlure.com/product-category/buck-lures/

I use these the vine licking branches a lot and for several years now. They are great. They will get a lot of activity if you cut them at belt/belly button height that way the doe and young deer can reach and use them as well. If you cut them higher than that bucks will get up on their hind legs to reach. You can add scent if you want but I have the best luck without scent. Once the deer start to use it, it'll continue to get used. It's optional, but I like to help open up the scrape around mid-October with a metal rake and sometimes I will pee in the scrape. I like to put these in tighter restrictions or funnels if possible. Good luck out there.

Hanging vine scrapes are my go-to and one will be located at each one of my 18 sets.

I have never made a mock scrape but hunted with a friend that loves them.  I have seen him pee in it and the scrape would get tore up with activity. I hope your mock scrape turns into a BBD. I have been chasing them since the 60s when east Texas did not have a lot of deer.  I am always open to learning something new.  Good luck

I have been using them for several years, you can get a really good idea of the bucks in your area.[attachment=1][attachment=2]

Nice!

Yes, I've been using Smokey's Preorbital scent ever since Gene and Barry wrote and posted about the wicked wicks. I didn't use the rope since I didn't want it to stand out on public land. As said above, i place them around waist high and the does have been hitting them too.

Quote from: Mint on July 08, 2024, 04:33:06 PM
I didn't use the rope since I didn't want it to stand out on public land.

Good move!

Will be setting 18 over the next few weeks.