April has flown by! While everyone is focused on hunting turkeys and preparing food plots, I’m ahead of the game by starting my buck inventory through mock scrapes. By early April, most bucks have shed their antlers, and the regrowth process begins. Deer velvet can grow several centimeters each day, so having cameras out now is crucial for identifying target bucks as they develop their antlers. Let’s take a look at some bucks that have been frequenting the scrapes throughout April.
Still Holding On!
Strategically placed scrapes can attract deer year-round. The BuckBranch, situated at the top of a ridge near a bedding area, is consistently visited by deer. In late March, I observed a buck with only one antler stopping by the scrape to communicate. I plan to search for more antlers during turkey season now that I know all the deer have shed theirs. My SpyPoint cameras keep me updated on all the activity at my scrape locations. By keeping those cameras out year-round, I can track the antler drops and monitor the growth as it begins.
April Fool’s Day
I love a good April Fool’s Day prank, and that’s how I felt when I received this video from my Flex-M. This young buck has already started developing his antlers for next year, and he is the first buck I’ve seen interact with the Inside Corner BuckRope. Look at his posture as he stretches out and uses the rope with his preorbital and forehead glands. I suspect he will be back to work on this rope frequently. Young bucks constantly leave their scent on scrapes, so April is off to a fantastic start!
Concentration
Take a look at this young buck skillfully engaging with the Inside Corner Scrape! His attention to detail while using both preorbital glands is truly impressive. To capture stunning photos or videos, it’s crucial to position your cameras thoughtfully. Strategically placed cameras will not only enhance your chances of a great shot but also help you uncover the big picture of the wildlife around you.
Natural Vine
A strategically placed natural vine with synthetic leaves is a magnet for deer. I have this natural vine positioned at the entrance to one of my food plots, and the bucks encounter it every time they pass by. The camera angle allows me to observe several important features of the bucks. I pay close attention to the tarsal glands, noting how dark and stained they are. These glands can help determine a buck’s age, as older bucks tend to have darker glands, with the stain extending down their legs. You can watch this buck interact with the vine and reveal his tarsal glands.
Bring on May
What a delightful sight to see this young buck visiting the Rope Scrape in the morning before heading to bed! Just look at the promising growth on his antlers; it’s an exciting beginning! With May just around the corner, I can hardly contain my enthusiasm to witness just how much growth he’ll achieve. Don’t forget to set up your cameras and create those scrapes—you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wealth of information you can gather from now until September.
Here is the link to the March article, From the Scrape. https://bowhunting.net/from-the-scrape-28/, feel free to check it out!
