Deer scrapes are distinct ground disturbances created by deer, serving as a primary form of communication. These areas indicate significant deer activity and are often a focal point for understanding their movements and social interactions. Identifying a scrape involves recognizing a combination of visual and olfactory cues that differentiate it from other signs of deer presence.
Visual Hallmarks of a Scrape
A deer scrape is recognizable by a cleared patch of bare earth, typically oval or circular, ranging from about 1 to 3 feet in diameter, though larger scrapes made by mature bucks can extend to 8 feet. This ground disturbance results from a deer pawing away leaves, grass, and other debris, exposing the underlying soil. A fresh scrape appears moist and dark, often emitting a musky odor, while older scrapes may be dried out or partially re-covered with natural litter.
Directly above the pawed ground, an overhanging branch, often referred to as a “licking branch,” is a consistent feature of a scrape. This branch, usually low-hanging at about eye height for a deer, frequently shows signs of being chewed, licked, or rubbed. Bucks often rub their forehead and pre-orbital glands on this branch, leaving behind scent. The combination of the cleared ground and the marked licking branch is a definitive visual signature.
The Purpose Behind Scrapes
Deer create scrapes as a sophisticated communication hub for other deer. These sites facilitate the exchange of vital information through scent. As deer paw the ground, they deposit secretions from interdigital glands located between their hooves, leaving a unique scent trail. When interacting with the overhanging branch, deer rub their pre-orbital glands, situated near their eyes, and forehead glands, further distributing their individual scent.
A significant aspect of scrape communication involves urination directly into the cleared ground. Deer often rub-urinate, allowing urine to flow over their tarsal glands, which are tufts of hair on the inside of their hind legs. This action mixes the urine with the oily secretions and bacteria on the tarsal glands, creating a distinct and potent scent that conveys information about the deer’s sex, dominance, and reproductive status. Scrape creation intensifies during the breeding season, or rut, as bucks actively mark their presence and readiness to breed, and does also visit these sites to contribute their own scent, particularly when approaching estrus.
Telling Scrapes Apart from Other Deer Signs
Distinguishing deer scrapes from other common signs of deer activity requires attention to their specific components. A deer rub, for instance, involves damage to a vertical tree trunk or sapling, caused by a buck rubbing its antlers to remove velvet or mark territory. Unlike a scrape, a rub does not include a cleared patch of ground or the characteristic licking branch. The focus of a rub is primarily on the tree itself, where bark is scraped away and scent is deposited from forehead glands.
Deer beds are another sign, appearing as larger, oval depressions in vegetation where a deer has rested. These beds typically consist of matted grass or leaves and lack the exposed earth and overhead branch associated with a scrape. General deer signs like game trails, which are linear paths worn by repeated deer travel, or feeding signs, such as browsed vegetation, do not exhibit the distinct combination of pawed ground, a specific licking branch, and multiple scent deposits characteristic of a scrape.