Deer exhibit many behaviors throughout the year, many of which are tied to their reproductive cycle. Among these, the creation of “scrapes” are a significant communication method. These ground markings, along with associated overhead branches, provide a rich source of information for other deer. Understanding these signs offers insight into deer interactions and their annual rhythms.
Understanding Deer Scrapes
A deer scrape is a distinct area of bare earth created by a deer pawing the ground, typically oval-shaped. This exposed patch of soil is frequently found directly beneath a low-hanging tree branch, commonly known as a “licking branch.” Deer use their hooves to clear away leaves, twigs, and other vegetation, leaving behind a clear mark on the forest floor. Scrapes can vary in size, ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The presence of an overhanging branch is a defining characteristic, as deer interact with it to deposit scent.
Seasonal Patterns of Scrape Creation
Deer begin making scrapes as part of their seasonal cycle, with the primary period of activity aligning with the pre-rut and rut phases. While sporadic scraping can occur earlier in the year, even in summer, it is less common and holds less significance compared to the intensified activity of late fall. The peak scrape-making period typically spans from mid-October to early November in many regions, leading up to the main breeding season.
The timing and intensity of scrape creation are influenced by several environmental and physiological factors. Photoperiod, or the changing length of daylight, is a primary trigger. As daylight hours diminish from late summer into fall, deer sense this change, which in turn affects their hormone production. This decrease in daylight leads to increased melatonin production, subsequently causing a rise in testosterone levels in bucks.
Elevated testosterone levels in bucks directly correlate with an increase in rutting behaviors, including the establishment and maintenance of scrapes. While photoperiod is the main driver, local factors like deer population density and weather can also play a role in the timing and intensity of activity. Bucks become increasingly active in marking territory and seeking does as the pre-rut progresses, making scrapes more numerous and frequently visited.
The Role of Scrapes in Deer Communication
Deer scrapes function as chemical communication hubs, allowing individual deer to exchange information. Deer deposit scent from various glands onto both the pawed earth and the overhanging licking branch. When a buck paws the ground, secretions from interdigital glands, located between its hooves, are left in the exposed soil.
After pawing the ground, bucks often urinate into the scrape, allowing urine to pass over their tarsal glands located on their hind legs. This “rub-urination” mixes the urine with unique scents from the tarsal glands, leaving a distinct chemical signature. On the licking branch, deer rub their forehead and preorbital glands, located near the eyes, depositing additional scent. They may also lick or chew the branch, adding saliva-based cues.
These deposited scents convey information about the individual deer that created or visited the scrape, including their sex, reproductive status, and dominance. Scrapes serve as “signposts” that attract other deer, with both bucks and does visiting them to gather information and leave their own scent messages. While bucks are the primary creators and maintainers of scrapes, does also visit and utilize them, particularly as they approach their estrus cycle.