As the hunting season winds down, many hunters may be tempted to pack away their gear and trail cameras. However, I encourage you to keep those cameras rolling a little longer! Deer remain active at the scrapes, and you’re likely to see increased activity. This is an exciting opportunity to monitor deer communication and discover which bucks have survived the gun season. Plus, if you still have a tag in your pocket, your cameras can play a vital role in helping you fill that tag during this late season.
Something Different
I am always trying something different with my cameras when I set up my scrapes. Recently, I decided to place a camera very close to one of the scrapes to observe how the deer would react. I was hoping to capture some up-close and personal footage of the deer interacting with the licking branch. To my surprise, the deer didn’t seem bothered at all by the camera’s presence. However, I overlooked the field of view, which was a critical factor. In the video I captured, a mature doe and her fawn appeared completely unfazed by the camera placement. I couldn’t help but laugh at the result; the camera was too close, and all I managed to get were their eyeballs and whiskers!
Passing Through
Cameras positioned at scrapes collect a wealth of valuable data throughout the year. As the Pennsylvania gun season was nearing its end, two bucks passed by one of my cameras monitoring a scrape. Both bucks appear healthy and in great condition. The buck closest to the camera could be a shooter next fall, as he frequents this area and visits the scrape regularly. Now is the perfect time to begin inventorying for next year.
You Never Know
In Pennsylvania, we experience a fascinating second rut that typically begins after Christmas. It’s always exciting to see what the deer are up to at a scrape! I’ve been fortunate to capture some incredible breeding moments on camera before, but this video is different. Here, two deer approach the scrape, and one playfully tops the other. After their little interaction, they both curiously investigate the scrape. It’s a wonderful reminder that younger deer still have much to learn from the mature ones!
Amazing Capture
My friend Brian from Ohio sent me an incredible video from one of his hunting scrapes. In the footage, the Flex G-36 camera is perfectly positioned to capture a doe urinating in the scrape. While that’s an impressive moment, the real excitement comes next: a buck that was trailing the doe emerges and heads straight for the scrape. I really enjoy watching videos like this. There’s nothing better than seeing mature deer interact and drive each other crazy!
Where Have You Been Hiding
I love seeing deer on my property, especially ones I haven’t spotted in a while. I was thrilled to capture this mature 8-pointer on camera as he visited the BuckBranch. He had to trudge through deep snow to reach this scrape and communicate with other deer. I’m not sure where he has been hiding for the past two weeks, but he did a great job surviving the Pennsylvania rifle season. I hope he will stay on my property. This buck could be my top choice next year.
Another New Buck
I’m not surprised that new bucks are appearing at my scrapes this time of year. They have been pushed around by deer drives and shot at by hunters, yet they are still searching for receptive does to breed. This impressive buck showed up at the vine scrape this week and has been a regular visitor for the past few nights. He is definitely on the lookout for receptive does. You can watch him use his nasal gland to check the tracks in the snow before inspecting the vine scrape.
If you are interested in trying a Rope Scrape, take advantage of the 10% discount from Buckstik on their BuckRope. Head over to the website and use the code: Bowhunting10
