Scrape questions?
 

So I went to check on newest bow-hunting spot. 5 acres.

I didn't go thru the whole thing but the 45 minutes I was there I looked over the obvious and some less obvious travel lanes. I only found 2 trees rubbed good. (there are some thick areas I stayed out of & I'm sure theres some more in there)

But in an area of say 150'-200' there are 8 scrapes and not really in a typical scrape line. Because of leaves I think they are all being worked, 4 of them in last day or two.

Question ishow many deer are actuallymaking these? Am I in some sort of a "high- combat"arena? I mean am I gonna be seeing fireworks when the rut gets goin?

I set up a day drip on the scrape closest tostandand right now I havedoe-in-heat in it with a tiny "orifice" in it (my own custom invention) so it will maybe domaybe 3 small drops a day and 5 drops if its sunny all day. When the rut gets closer I will move to dominant buck scent. I have the day drip up about 12 feet.

Question - what do you all think about the day drip and my plan of doe-in-heat scent now and moving to dominant buck scent later?

Just a note but this property is next to a 5 acre parcel my buddy took a beautiful 10 pointer off of last year, not probobly 175 yds from where my stand is.

RE: Scrape questions?
 

Setting a trail camera is about the only way you can tell the number of deer using the area. 5 acres sounds like a small area to be hunting to me, but I guess it just takes the right 5 acres to produce a good deer.