Last year I ran across a scrape that should have been in a field and stream magazine. Perfectly cleared out (5 ft in diameter) with a licking branch about 4-5 ft off the ground. I went back to set up a stand in the general location and found it, being worked already this year. This year the licking branch was almost chewed through and another branch close by was chewed on as well. The strange thing was there were deer droppings all over it. I had never seen this on a scrape, but it just wasnt one set of droppings, but looked like he had been visiting the scrape, chewing on the branch and dropping at the same time. Looked maybe like 3-4 different visits by the feshness of the droppings.

Is this common, and does this look more like a territorial scrape than anything? Obvously there isnt any mating this early in the year, so I m thinking this is his way of saying stay clear....its my area.

Its 30-40 yrds from his known bedding area, and 300 yrds in deep in the woods. Its not what ive seen before....any insights?

I did set a trail cam near the scrape to see what Im missing but wont get the film until late next week. Im avoiding any human scent in or around the area as much as possible.