This scent is a confidence builder in deer because it makes them believe there are, or were, other deer in the area. Tarsal gland scents may trigger a territorial response in an aggressive buck defending his territory during the pre-rut and rut. Lures are formulated smells that trigger responses or behavior in deer. Lures are categorized as food, curiosity, territorial and call. Food lures trigger hunger in deer and can include the concentrated smells of corn, apple or acorn.
Curiosity lures intrigue deer.
Deer are naturally curious and they will search out smells that excite them or that they have never encountered before. Beaver castor and tonquin musk are examples of curiosity lures. Territorial lures are a lot like scents. They include deer urine, as well as glands, secretions and musks. These lures create territorial urges in a buck, who thinks another buck has invaded his territory.