There is not a bucnch of deer around at lest 2 yearlings and a 10 point I caught on the stealth cam next to my ladder stand. The pic, was last week at 8 pm. seen nothing this weekend. stayed til legal time. But jumped something on the way out. to dark. could hear the hoofs pound. had to have some weight to it amyways.

should I use a Mock scrape with some dominant buck pee to get him "p'd" off and more active or go for the love sent of sweet doe "P"

peak rut is about the 15 or so. scapes should be found by next weekend in this area. found the spot by some very small sapplings with rubs on them. Velvet rubs?.
Thanx for your input.

The rubs could be velvet rubs, start out rubs for a mature der or even immature active rubs. By now the mature deer should be tackling some larger based trees, while the little guys are still hanging in bach groups and hitting the small stuff like samplings.

Scrapes here start at least a month prior they get bigger and more of as the bell is near. So you should be able to find some already in your area.

As far as scents or techniques I would be rattling using BF scents in prerut if your area is either transition, staging or close to bedding areas. This time is perfect to attract bucks by way of horn tinkling. I would keep the tone and intensity down to a tinkle/light grind for 1 min intervals(waiting 30min inbetween) vs a fighting match. As the rut approaches or begin I would bring up the intensity throw in some aggressive grunting, rubbing, etc. During the rut either scent or both in combo may bode well for you, but a lot depends on where you are in their route. If your getting pictures after dark and bumping them on your walk out, it may mean your a little further down and might consider looking for a second spot further that will buy you an opp. during legal times.

Best of luck.

Thanx for the info. will look around aliitle further. did up a mock scape with the camera on it today. I would like to find a real scape or two. There is a hill next to me maybe he hangs up there with a better veiw for does . both times I have seen him last year he headed up the hill. coming from the thickett where I think he beds sometimes. I thought I was in his travel area ..between the thickett and the hill. Maybe it is time to get out of the tree and stalk my way through the thick stuff also.

looks like the mock scape worked. a 7 pointer came right to to it. he weighted 145 lb. putting him on the wall. the 8 needs company..lol had a dry spell for last three years...thanx