Would you use this in a scrape line that was made by a smaller buck or would it scare the smaller younger buck off. Im talking about the tarsal gland lure?

That bottled lure, or even old tarsal glands are not fresh, and I would bet most deer can figure that out. Old tarsal glands that were frozen and then thawed are in a state of decay and in my opinion best put in a plastic bag and thrown in the dumpster. Frankly I've never had much luck hunting scrapes once the rut kicked in. When the does are in estrous, the bucks just run continually chasing them. May be okay prior to the rut.

Daryl, I feel it will make bucks curious, and want to investigate, no matter what size/age class they are. maybe hunt the area a couple times first. If nothing happens, use the lure, it sure won't hurt. Good luck.

I hunt scrapes from opening day up until the rut kicks in. I haven't ever bothered with tarsal gland as I believe scrapes are used by multiple deer and if they are fresh they have enough natural scent to attract. I look for active scrapes which are different from early territorial scrapes. They are all in travel corridors and not much need for anything but the natural scents being left by deer. Despite the popular belief scrapes, as long as it is an active scrape, are visited regularly during daylight by multiple deer. Not all scrapes remain active throuout the first few weeks, look for those that are active.

Ever calm makes a rutting buck stick that's pretty good, my buddy has had good luck using it.

This would be a "territorial scrape" that Lv2bowhunt mentioned above-forget trying to fool this guy, he got old for a reason- lol.

This would be a youngster's scrape getting urges-you can trick him as long as he has not been taught by another hunter you get shot at with that smell from a non-local deer-lol.

I watched a year and a half old three point one day..making a scrape the size of a 53 Hudson. He tore up the area pretty good as well, chewing and raking brush. I don't judge bucks by scrape size.

What kind of bow is that Nathan? Rarely see huge scrapes where we hunt, but even with APR our age class doesn't expand much past 2.5 year old bucks. Set up a stand near a group of scrapes from last year. Will hang some tarsal gland scent and report the results.

"I don't judge bucks by scrape size." Same here. After hunting 50+ years you see a lot. Also little bucks at big rubs, and big bucks at little rubs.

The tracks in the above pics is what made the final determination George, and in my 40+ years of deer hunting the rule of thumb is still in place (there are exceptions to everything deer hunting guys and in all your years hunting you know this so why even bother posting a "debunk post" I have seen mature bucks make tiny 12" scrapes. Next time I will get a close up for ya. mgerard-it is a Cari-bow wolverine

Thanks Nathan for sharing your experience. Great bow, should've recognized it!

Territorial scrapes I referred to are simply made to mark a bucks territory and usually they are the first ones made. Not much activity after initially being made. I typically don't hunt them but I do hunt the travel corridors they are made along. Community scrapes and active scrapes along travel routes are what I hunt. They get repeated activity at all hours. The size of the scrape doesn't mean much except usually a community scrape is normally larger. Tracks are a good sign as to what size the visitors were. Hunting scrapes successfully is really a lot different than most posters on this forum believe. There is a lot of false information that is simply regurgitated over and over.

Sorry my opinion with most lures is that they are best with Red Bull on ice. There was a study done in GA I think, where they tested doe urine,buck urine rabbit urine and human urine at scrapes. Human was # 1, doe a distant 2nd. Curiosity seemed to be the driver. Drink hearty my friends. Just like doe pee in your chew. Yum

regardless, I enjoy using lures. I have experienced success with them. Sometimes, for me, fooling them with a scent/lure is as satisfying as sticking an arrow in their armpit.

If you have a trapping background you would have a better understanding of what urines vs. glands purpose is. Animals cannot tell if urine is a humans unless he actually sees you urinating then smells it....even then it`s a "association" of man to smell. I use tarsals off of killed rutting bucks that are dark...waxy and smelly. Pouring a urine over those rubbing them together will simulate a real deer. Now here is a tip I have used...if you have a farmer with cows...ask them which cow is menstruating go to the cow with rubber gloves and "scoop" the slime that is on the vagina...you don`t need the urine...just the goo. Both animals eat the same food and both are rudiment animals. You might be surprised.

It probably varies in different locals and deer density but I have to agree with George and Clydebow. The youngsters seem to have more energy and really work out their frustrations. Just the way I see it, for what ever it is worth. >>>----> Ken

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