Set up a stand overlooking the wrong scrape, and you'll suffer a long, lonely vigil. Even if you do find a hot scrape, you can blow the opportunity with poor stand placement. What to Look For You may scour the woods for several hunting seasons and never find a true primary scrape. These are usually located where several factors converge. The lay of the land, wind direction, an abundant food source, and good bedding areas are key factors.
Bucks typically open primary scrapes in the same locations year after year.
Should you be fortunate enough to come upon one of these gold mines, give it your highest priority. Secondary scrapes can also be productive, provided you hunt only the most likely candidates. Eliminate any scrape that doesn't have an overhead licking branch on which bucks leave their scent. Some of the more productive secondary scrapes are on main trails between feeding and bedding areas. Where to Set Up In flat or rolling farm country, you'll often find scrapes along the edges of fields.