Scrapes!

[Hunt 365]

Found two separate scrape lines, multiple scrapes on each on opposite sides of my property yesterday. I have never seen them this early. Found just one rub. Has anyone seen scrapes this early? Thought it maybe a confused deer but apparently at least 2 are confused

 

[JGreg]

Been seeing sparring pics from others so I would say its possible but seems early to me.

 

[BigBuckManiac]

I killed a nice 8 point 2 years ago that was rubbing and making scrapes on opening weekend.

 

[BSK]

I've not found any yet, but I've seen scrape pictures posted in the trail-cam forum already, so in some areas it is occurring.

 

[vonhogslayer]

Not here in Hickman yet,very slow so far.

 

[ROVERBOY]

Wow, that's pretty early. I'm glad your finding scrapes already.

 

[redblood]

means that we are near peak rut

 

[BSK]

Because I'm heavily involved in digital mapping (GIS), I keep a digital map of my property that indicates every scrape I find each year, and the date I found it. Looking through the last couple of years, here's the earliest scrape I've found each year, and the date (in parenthesis) scraping really exploded:

2003: Oct. 10 (Oct. 22)
2004: Oct. 2 (Oct. 27)
2005: Oct. 1 (Oct. 1)
2006: Sept. 2 (Sept. 30)
2007: Oct. 29 (Nov. 4)
2008: Sept. 27 (Sept. 27)
2009: Sept. 25 (Oct. 1)
2010: Sept. 29 (Oct. 21)
2011: Oct. 5 (Oct. 6)
2012: Sept. 30 (Sept. 30)

Notice what a huge range exists for the earliest to latest dates of both first scrape found and when scraping started in earnest; almost two months difference.

 

[Tennessee Lead]

I have saw scrapes in September almost every year I can remember since I was ten years old hunting with my dad and I am now 30. I don't think that it's unusual but I am not a biologist.

 

[timberjack86]

I found a scrape this morning. Earliest one I have found.

 

[HOOK]

I found a scrape that was also full of droppings...
Also found 2 fresh rubs...
Earliest ever on both....

 

[93civEJ1]

I have a feeling this will be a good year.