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"Creating Your Own Early Scrape" by John Kasun
Every bow hunter knows the importance of finding a hot scrape. The only thing better than simply finding a hot scrape is being able to predict where it is going to appear. Sound impossible, not really according to Mark Wiser, President of MDR Outdoor Group and developer of 24Seven time-released, granular big game scents.

"It is a misconception that each scrape is used by a single deer," explained Wiser. "Scrapes are like a community mail box. Deer visit them to check who was there and leave their own sign in the form of scent both on the ground and on the overhanging branches. Overhanging branches are a critical component of scrapes as this is where the deer deposit scent from their pre-orbital and forehead glands."

"While hunting natural scrapes can be productive it is often unpredictable," said Wiser. "Natural scrapes can be difficult to find and they may occur in areas which are not open to hunting. The ideal situation is to stimulate scrape activity within the area you are hunting and the way to do that is start your own scrapes and encourage the deer to take them over."

"I have found that early to mid August is the ideal time to made scrapes in your hunting area," Wiser continued. "The first consideration is location. Your scrapes should be placed near areas in which you found scrapes last season, near trails or funnels and along the edges of bedding areas. Find a location near an overhanging branch that is about 4 feet off of the ground. If no overhanging branch is available in the area you selected it is acceptable to bend a higher branch over and tie it down so it hangs unobstructed over the scrape. Be sure when tying the branch down that the rope does not interfere with the deer's access to the scrape. Thicker overhanging branches seem to produce better results with three quarters of an inch being the maximum. Clear an area under the overhanging branch about two to three feet in diameter down to the bare ground clearing it of all grass, leaves or other debris. Do not scent the scrape in any way at this time; that comes a little later."

"Although you can make several scrapes within a given areas the number depends upon the size of the area and the number of suitable locations," cautioned Wiser. "By preparing these scrapes in August we have several weeks for the human scent to disperse before we made our first scent application. About one month before the season apply 24Seven SGS Early Buck to the scrape or scrapes. Check the scrape every three to five days for any signs of activity. Reapply 24Seven SGS lightly as required. As soon as you see buck activity on the scrape back off. Do not apply any more 24Seven."

"What has happened is that the deer in any area have discovered a "new guy on the block" and are leaving their scent in the scrape to tell him who is boss," explained Wiser. "They are interested and will take over the scrape as their own but if you continue to apply scent the other deer will simply accept the "new guy" and activity may cease. Wait until one week before the season and reapply 24Seven SGS Early Buck or Dominant Buck. Refreshen the scrape with 24Seven SGS every three to four days and the especially the day before you plan to hunt it. What you will have done is created the illusion that "he's back" and deer activity over the scrape will increase giving you're the opportunity for a shot."

Watch this site for more information on scrape hunting and 24 Seven (SGS) Supercharged Granular Scent products.

24sevenscents.com

After locating the site in which you intend to make your scrape, the first step is to clear all debris including leaves amd grass. The scrape must be down to bare earth and the deal size approximately two feet square.

Here Mark Wiser, President of MDR Outdoor Group and developer of 24Seven Plus time-released solid big game scents is shown preparing the early scrape. These early scrapes should be prepared from early to mid August. The scrapes will not have scent applied until several weeks before the season. By making the scrape early, we allow time for human scent to disappear and the deer to become familiar with the scrape.

An overhead licking branch is a key element to any scrape. In this case no natural low hanging branch was in the area of the scrape so Mark is shown bending over and tying into place a branch that will act as a licking branch. The top of the branch should be approximately four feet off the ground and overhand the scrape.
John Kasun

John Kasun

126 Hickory Lane
Duncansville, PA 16635

Phone 814-695-5784
E-mail kasun@atlanticbb.net

John Kasun is an active outdoor writer, photographer and seminar speaker and is a member of both the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and The Outdoor Writers Association of America.

John is active in all aspects of the outdoors but he specializes in hunting whitetail with bow and muzzleloader. John takes his hunting seriously and to date has taken over 100 whitetail with the bow. John is both a skilled bow technician and an accomplished target shooter. John believes attention to detail is the key to hunting success and he readily shares his knowledge with his readers and seminar audiences in clear simple easy to understand terms based upon his personal in the field experience.

John's articles and photographs have appeared in various outdoor publications. He is a regular contributor and columnist for several publications and his work has appeared in numerous publications such as: ArrowTrade, Pennsylvania Sportsmen, New York Outdoor Times, West Virginia Outdoor Times, Ohio Outdoor Times, Pennsylvania Outdoor Times, Pennsylvania Outdoor News, Keystone Sportsman, Pennsylvania Game News, New England Outdoor Times, Wheelin' Sportsmen, Westsylvania, The Paper Horse, Muzzleloader, Muzzle Blast, Centre Daily Times, Johnstown Tribune Democrat, and the Altoona Mirror to mention just a few.

In addition to his successful writing career John is also an excellent seminar speaker having presented programs at clubs, organizations and sports shows throughout the northeast. One of his most popular seminars entitled, "Tracking Whitetail" focuses on the recovery of whitetail after the shot and is the subject of a book on which he is presently working.