so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
06-09-2006, 05:58 AM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 255
so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
I have read so many opinions about the little dark patch on the outside of the rear leg. I recently watched a processing DVD and the guy never mentioned it- he merely skinned around it. I have read other opinions that said you should have a separate knife to carefully cut it out with, and then resume with your normal knife. I would like to know what the real deal is...How do you handle this gland when skinning/ processing??? Thanks for the help
06-09-2006, 06:51 AM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: May 2005
Location: One mile east of West Podunk Tx
Posts: 5,973
RE: so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
Its called the tarsal gland. I always cutthem off with the same knife I'm skinning with and then put them in a zip lock bag. They make a great cover scent. I've also used them by hanging them on a branch near a scrape as an attractant. I've gotten shots at other deer that have come up to check it out.
06-09-2006, 07:14 AM
#3
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: IOWA/25' UP
Posts: 7,145
RE: so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
ORIGINAL: txrookie
Its called the tarsal gland. I always cutthem off with the same knife I'm skinning with and then put them in a zip lock bag. They make a great cover scent. I've also used them by hanging them on a branch near a scrape as an attractant. I've gotten shots at other deer that have come up to check it out.
Its called the tarsal gland. I always cutthem off with the same knife I'm skinning with and then put them in a zip lock bag. They make a great cover scent. I've also used them by hanging them on a branch near a scrape as an attractant. I've gotten shots at other deer that have come up to check it out.
06-09-2006, 09:23 AM
#4
Dominant Buck
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ramsey , Indiana
Posts: 22,545
RE: so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
I have the tarsals from a button buck I shot last season in the freezer right now , this Fall when I hang them up with some buck pee soaked into them any passing buck that smells them will think that a juvenile is on his turf and will come to kick his ass . I don't hunt for heads personally , but I sure love the look on their faces when that bullet or arrow zings through their vitals just the same . 
06-09-2006, 10:16 PM
#6
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 7,182
RE: so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
Let me tell ya about tarsal glands. I use them during the rut over scrapes. I will make a scrape and hang a tarsal gland over it with some dominate buck urine and let the games begin. Oh very effective at least where I hunt.
06-10-2006, 06:00 AM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Findlay, Ohio
Posts: 3,286
RE: so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
You dont have to worry about it affecting the meat if that is what your post question is about. I think its just an old hunting myth that gets pumped into to new hunters by non hunting people and magazine writers. Sure if a buck was in full blown rut you wouldn't want to hack into it and then cut your best cuts of meat next but I always just stay away from it and leave them alone. Besides there is not any meat under them so I don't even skin up that high when the deer is hanging. I used to think the same thing about them and then I bought one of larry metz deer videos and like you noticed he didn't take them off or talk about them, asked the local processer and he said just stay out of them and not to worry. But also as all the others have said, cutting them out and saving them make for good natural scents.
06-10-2006, 09:25 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,102
RE: so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
Like Hotburn76 has said it is not necessary to skin down that far and beyond that as several other have said they are great to use as a stationary lure source such as over a scrape or as a drag in to your stand location.I take them off bucks and doe's,hanging one of each in the late pre rut or in to the rut can be very effective.I would suggest using rubber gloves when you cut them off.I have some in the freezer right now.Cheap,natural effective.
06-13-2006, 03:41 PM
#10
Spike
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location:
Posts: 57
RE: so what is the deal with the scent gland on rear leg??
Like the other guys have said, just ignore the tarsal glands unless you want to use them as a lure. If you do want to use them as a lure, you can use the tarsal glands fresh but they'll start to get funky after a little while. Keep them cold while you're not using them. Another way to go is to make a tincture from the glands. I have a recipe on my site under homemade lure if you like to mess with stuff like that.