i am a little green myself but ive got 3 seasons in and i wouldnt use anything until at least mid to late october. you dont want the deer to know you will be hunting them before season starts. but if you wanna use something, thats up to you. as far as a scrape dripper. i would wait til velvet is off and the deer start using the scrape(s) every day. like pre rut. you shouldnt have to use lures with as many deer as there are in illinois. some people swear by the stuff but for me, i wont be wasting money on a $10 bottle of chemicals that the smart deer are going to stay away from. the only thing i will actually use is a scrape dripper with the active scrape stuff in it. i wouldnt leave it for long though. maybe a few days then take it down for a few more then put it back. i would not waste money on the buck bombs but thats just me. as far as early season goes, go scout and watch where the deer move the most and set up there, then when the rut starts maybe move where the activity is highest then. IMO i wouldnt use any lures or attractants or whatever you may consider them. just scout and pattern the deer as good as possible. be where they wanna be dont try to bring them where they dont want to be because they wont go there. trust i learned my lesson my first season trying that.
P.S. buy yourself a good grunt call for the rut.
shoot me a PM for more ? you may have. good luck and happy hunting
Morgan Wolf