Mauser, I've seen does use a scrape all year long. Obviously there is a buck involved at the beginning or the end somewhere, and he has to check his scrape at some point. True, many big bucks will check their scrapes in the dark, but as the rut nears they make check them more often. This is your opportunity to take him out. Also before the rut begins, I've found deer to be more patternable in that bucks aren't wildly chasing does and can follow a regular regiment.