Before you can create a mock scrape to aid in your hunt, you will need to understand what a real deer scrape is. Deer scrapes are a common area where a deer will scrape up the ground and rub their pre-orbital gland up against a branch that hangs above the scrape. They use these areas as a means of communication. While some scrapes are very large and located in areas with higher deer traffic, others are much smaller with less deer traffic. Often the smaller scrapes are created by a frustrated buck. A vital part of any scrape is the licking branch. The branch is used to leave unique markers by the deer and aides in their communicating efforts. Other characteristics of a scrape include exposed soil and urine saturation.

When you create a mock scrape you will need to entice the passing deer to use it as their own. The first act to accomplish that is creating the mock scrape in a natural location, usually in high-traffic areas, near food and water sources, and close to bedding areas. The second step would be to find a good licking branch. This can't just be any old branch; it needs to be alone and stick out enough to grab the attention of the deer. It will also need to be 45-60 inches off the ground. If it is too high or too low, it does not serve its purpose. The licking stick is meant for the deer to deposit their scent but if they have to bend down, they won't use it. The same thing is true when the licking stick is too high and can't be reached by the deer even when they stand on their hind legs. Make sure you are raking away grass, leaves, and debris from under the licking branch to expose the soil, preferably around 2 feet wide by 2 1/2 feet tall. The smell of freshly scraped dirt will attract the deer way before they even see the scrape. The final step, which is optional, would be depositing scent. Usually, hunters will use buck or doe urine, but if you don't have any handy, urinating on it yourself will work just as well!