Patent Abstract:
A deer attracting device and/or a kit incorporating the same facilitates luring deer to a specific location. The device includes a base that is supported from below by an underlying ground surface and a lock that holds a visual lure in an upright position, extending away from the base, so that deer can easily see the visual lure. A scent carrier may be applied to the visual lure and is configured to entice deer to apply their own scent(s) to the visual lure by scent marking or licking the lure. This encourages other deer to do the same after being visually drawn close enough to the visual lure to detect the scent. Correspondingly, the deer maintain or replenish the scent of the lure mitigating the need for a human to artificially do the same. The visual lure is maintained in position on the base be a column within which a lower end of the visual lure is received, and a lock that maintains the visual lure within the column.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/252,241 filed on Oct. 16, 2009, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to hunting and wildlife accessories and, more particularly, to deer attracting aids. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     It is well known that hunting and observing deer are popular activities. It is also known that to see deer, stalking techniques in which the hunter or observer tries to approach the deer is extremely difficult since deer have keen senses for detecting predators. 
     It is therefore often desirable to try luring deer or attracting them to a predetermined location for hunting or observing. Naturally attracting deer by providing, for example, a food plot near a hunting blind or observation blind is one common technique. However, food plots are typically large and a hunter or observer may not be able to readily see deer in certain portions of plots that are furthest from a blind. 
     Attempts have been made to attract deer to more specific locations than to general locations like food plots in order to increase the likelihood that the hunter or observer will have a clear line of sight to the deer at such specific location. These attempts include providing bait, minerals, and artificial scents to attract the deer to specific locations. These techniques can be expensive, time consuming, and may not be permitted in certain hunting or observing jurisdictions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present inventor has recognized that regular replenishing activities for maintaining baits, minerals, and artificial scents, at particular locations creates predator-like pressures upon the deer. The present inventor recognized that deer may react to these pressures by reducing activity and at times even temporarily fleeing or “bumping” to different locations. The present inventor has further recognized that over time, deer will learn the schedule of the hunter&#39;s or observer&#39;s regular replenishing activities. The deer may then start patterning the hunter&#39;s or observer&#39;s own schedules for replenishing activities and “bump” to other locations or reduce activity levels accordingly. 
     The present inventor has therefore developed a device for attracting deer to a specific location that is minimally invasive to deer habitat, is easily portable and can be quickly assembled, and which requires very little human maintenance and replenishing over time. The device capitalizes on a deer&#39;s curiosity to initially attract it near the device and then further capitalizes on a deer&#39;s olfactory sensitivity to entice it to investigate a scent on the device once it is near. The deer may be further enticed to leave its own scent on the device by scent marking, licking, or otherwise. This may encourage other deer to do the same, whereby with a nominal amount of human activity or presence, the device may function as an auto-regenerating communal scent post for the deer. 
     Specifically, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, at least one of these desires is fulfilled by providing a deer attracting device that includes a base that is supported from below by a ground surface and a lock that is connected to the base. The lock defines a locked position and an unlocked position. A visual lure is removably held by the lock and extends upwardly from the base so that it can be viewed by deer. When the lock is in the locked position, the visual lure is retained in the device. When the lock is in the unlocked position, the visual lure can be readily withdrawn or removed from the device. This modular configuration may enhance portability and ease of assembly and dissemble of the device. This could be desirable because the device may have to be transported relatively far distances into a woods, field, or other suitable location for use. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the visual lure may be at least one of a tree, a portion of a tree, a replica of a tree, and a replica of a portion of a tree. Such configuration may provide a substantially natural appearance to the visual lure, so as to not appear overly-foreign and perhaps startling to the deer. Correspondingly, by placing the device so that it is sufficiently spaced from other trees, the visual lure may be visually conspicuous and easily recognizable by the deer. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the visual lure is configured to and/or capable of receiving a scent carrier emitting a deer attracting scent. The visual lure can maintain the scent carrier thereon for extended periods of time, for example, four hours, eight hours, twelve hours, or more. While the scent carrier is maintained on the visual lure, the scent carrier continues to emit the deer attracting scent to an extent that is detectable by the deer. The scent carrier may resemble or be made from at least one of a glandular secretion, a pheromone, a foodstuff, which may entice deer to scent mark upon or lick the visual lure. Doing so leaves the deer&#39;s own scent in addition to and/or in place of that of the scent carrier. This may encourage further investigation of the visual lure by other deer. Such other deer may also be enticed into scent marking and/or licking the visual lure. This activity may continue so that the device serves as, for example, an auto-regenerating communal scent post. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device includes a column that extends upwardly from the base and interconnects the base and the lock. The column may be transversely flexible in a manner that allows the visual lure to bend toward the ground and restore to its initial upright position. The column may be a coil spring that concentrically accepts an end of the visual lure therein to hold the visual lure in the upright position. By spacing the lock from the base with the column, the visual lure can be supported through a relatively large supporting interface between it and the rest of the device, which may enhance stability. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the lock includes a collar having a longitudinally extending central bore. A width of the collar bore may be about three-inches or less to accommodate relatively small trees, if trees are being used as the visual lures. A setscrew may extend through the collar and being radially movable into and out of the collar bore. In such configuration, (i) the locked position of the lock is defined when the setscrew is moved inwardly into the collar bore, and (ii) the unlocked position of the lock is defined when the setscrew is moved outwardly from the collar bore. The setscrew may be configured for tool-less operation by, for example, having a thumbscrew configuration or a knob at its outer end that can be turned by hand. The tool-less operation of the lock may shorten the amount of time required to assemble and disassemble the device. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device includes at least one stake that extends downwardly from the base and inserts into the ground, so as to hold the base in a fixed location upon the ground. The stake may have a length that is at least two-times that of the column and which may be at least one-half of an overall length or height of the device. The stake may have an irregular outer surface that interlocks with the ground when the stake is inserted into the ground. The irregular outer surface of the stake may be defined by ribs that extend outwardly from the stake and are spaced from each other along the length of the stake. In some implementations, each stake may be made from a piece of rebar typically used for reinforcing concrete or masonry, or from similar stock and of similar size. The stake may have a substantially flat cap welded or otherwise affixed to its upper end. The cap may prevent the stake from pulling through the base during use. The substantial length and irregular outer surface characteristics of the stake can provide a stronger gripping interface between the stake and the ground, enhancing the anchoring function of the stake. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device may be part of a kit for attracting deer to a particular location. The kit may include the device itself and the corresponding visual lure and also the scent carrier that emits a deer attracting scent, allowing a user to set up the device as an auto-regenerating communal scent post for deer. The kit may be used to attract deer to a particular location for observation by a hunter or a wildlife watcher. Or, the kit may be used to attract deer to a particular location so as to discourage their presence at other locations, for example to attract deer away from ornamental sapling trees or other decorative landscaping that the deer might otherwise bother. 
     Various other features, embodiments, and alternatives of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications could be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a deer attracting kit in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a variant of the deer attracting device of the kit of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of deer attracting systems of the invention, shown as kits  5 . Each kit  5  has a deer attracting device  10  and one or more scent carriers  12 ,  14 . The deer attracting device  10  is visually conspicuous to deer and visually entices the deer into approaching the device  10 . After approaching the device  10 , the scent carriers  12 ,  14  further entice the deer into applying their own scent to the device  10  by scent marking or licking, explained in greater detail elsewhere herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , deer attracting device  10  of this embodiment includes a base  20  that is supported from below by a ground surface and a lock  50  that removably holds a visual lure  80  so that it stands upright and can be easily seen by deer. Base  20  is substantially planar and has a lower surface that sits directly on the ground surface and an upper surface that faces away from the ground. The dimensions of base  20  are selected to provide a lower surface area that correspondingly gives a footprint against, or interface with, the ground. This large surface area helps the base  20  resist puncturing into the ground due to, e.g., the weight of the overall device  10  and also gives tipping-negating stability to the device  10 . In one embodiment, the lower surface of base  20  has a surface area of at least about thirty-six square inches, more preferably at least about fifty square inches. In one embodiment, the base  20  has a square perimeter shape with dimensions of about six inches by six inches with a thickness dimension of about ¼ inch or ⅛ inch. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, two mounting holes  22  extend through the entire thickness of base  20 , on opposing sides of the base  20 . The mounting holes  22  are provided near the perimeter edge of the base  20 , for example, each being within two inches or preferably within one inch of the perimeter edge. The particular configuration of mounting holes  22  is based on characteristics of the stakes  30  that extend through the holes  22  to anchor the base  20  to the ground. For example, a single mounting hole  22  may be provided for versions of base  20  that use only a single stake  30 , whereas more that two mounting holes  22  are provided for versions of base  20  that use more than two stakes  30 . The inside diameter (ID) of the holes  22  is large enough to accommodate the stakes  30  therethrough, preferably only having about a ⅛ inch clearance between the ID surface of the mounting holes  22  and the stakes  30  to prevent or reduce sloppiness in the joint and/or stake-to-base rattling sounds during use. In another embodiment, no mounting holes  22  are provided in the base  20  and instead the stake(s)  30  is fixed, attached, or joined to the base  20 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , stake  30  is an elongate pin that is driven into and anchors the base  20  to the ground. The dimensions of stakes  30  are selected to provide a substantial amount of surface area against the abutting ground surface to create a large amount of withdrawal-preventing friction therebetween. In one embodiment, stake  30  has a length that is at least two-times that of portion of the device  10  that sits above the ground, whereby the stake  30  is at least one-half of the overall length or height of the entire device  10 . In one embodiment, the stake  30  is at least about 16 inches long and has a width or diameter of at least about ½ inch, which provides sufficient surface area for anchoring most implementations of the device  10  to the ground. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , stake  30  may have an irregular or discontinuous outer surface to enhance its anchoring characteristics. In this embodiment, the irregular outer surface of the stake  30  is defined by ribs  32  that extend outwardly from its shaft portion and are spaced from each other along its length. In one embodiment, the stake  30  is made from a piece of reinforcing bar (rebar) stock that is commonly used to reinforce concrete or masonry, and that is cut to length and ground to a point or sharpened on its lower end. At its upper end, a cap  35  is fixed to the shaft of the stake  30 . Cap  35  is wider than the ID of the corresponding mounting hole  22 . Preferably the cap  35  is thin, rising less than about ⅛ inch from the upper surface of the base  20  when the stake  30  is fully inserted into the ground. 
     Referring yet further to  FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, a column  40  extends between the base  20  and the lock  50 , elevating the lock  50  with respect to the base  20 . Column  40  is in the form of a cylindrical tube that is fixed to and extends generally orthogonally upward from the middle of the upper surface of the base  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , column  40  of this embodiment is transversely flexible, relative to its longitudinal axis, in a manner that allows the visual lure  80  to bend toward the ground and then restore to its initial upright position. The column  40  of this embodiment is a coil spring, shown here as a compression spring. It is noted that while a compression spring is shown, in some embodiments, the flexible versions of column  40  may be tension springs, non-coiled springs, or other suitably flexible, preferably resiliently flexible, structures that can attach the base  20  and lock  50  to each other while providing restorative forces to return the visual lure  80  to an upright position after being bent downwardly. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , lock  50 , which sits at the top of the column  40  of these embodiments, defines a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, lock  50  retains the visual lure  80  in it, whereas in the unlocked position, the visual lure  80  can be removed from the lock  50 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the lock  50  includes a collar  55  and setscrews  60  that extend through the collar  55  into a longitudinally extending bore of the collar  55 . In one embodiment, the diameter of the collar bore is about three inches or less, although the particular dimensions and configurations of the collar  50  and setscrews  60  are selected to correspond to the configuration of the end of the visual lure  80  that inserts into the collar  50 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the lower end of the visual lure  80  is placed on the upper surface of the base  20 , and the lock  50  is then engaged with the visual lure  80  at a location above the lower end of the visual lure  80 . The column  40  thus serves to rigidly secure the bottom of the visual lure  80  in position on the base  20 . The lower end of the visual lure  80  may be secured similarly in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . In this instance, the spring that forms the column  40  simply serves to rigidly support the lower end of the visual lure  80 , since engagement of the lower end of the visual lure  80  with the bottom of the spring column  40  stiffens the spring column  40  and prevents it from flexing. Alternatively, the visual lure  80  may be positioned such that its lower end is spaced above the upper surface of the base  20  by any desired distance. When visual lure  80  is secured in this manner, the length of the spring column  40  above the base  20  and below the lower end of the visual lure  80  provides a degree of flexibility to the mounting of the visual lure  80 . In this manner, the visual lure  80  will “give” when the deer in engages it, which provides an added degree of stimulation or movement that can hold a deer&#39;s interest. To provide a relatively small degree of flexibility of the visual lure  80 , the lower end of the visual lure  80  is positioned relatively close to the upper end of the base  20 . To increase the amount of flexibility of the visual lure  80 , the lower end of the visual lure  80  is moved outwardly away from the base  20  and toward the lock  50 . The length of the visual lure  80  contained within the spring column  40  functions to stiffen the spring column  40 , such that the stiffness of the spring column  40  is controlled by the closeness of the lower end of the visual lure  80  to the upper surface of the base  20 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the locks  50  of these embodiments are configured for tool-less operation. In these particular embodiments, the setscrews  60  are shown as being thumbscrews that can be tightened and loosened by hand. In another embodiment, the setscrews  60  have knobs that can be tightened and loosened by hand. In yet other embodiments, the lock  50  includes a cam-lock, a constricting band, or other suitable hardware, that is used to selectively secure the visual lure  80  into the lock  50 . The lock  50  may also include collar  55  and nails or screws are driven through the holes of the collar and into the visual lure  80  to retain it in the device  10 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the complete assemblage of these embodiments, a lower end of the visual lure  80  is held concentrically in the lock  50 . The visual lure  80  preferably stands substantially upright and has any desired height, which may be least about four feet tall. The particular height of the visual lure  80  is selected based on the end-use location of the device  10 . For example, when the device  10  is placed in an open field and relatively far from, e.g., trees or other tall habitat structures, the visual lure  80  may be relatively taller to ensure that is can be seen from far distances. When the visual lure  80  is placed within a tree-crowded woods habitat and near a deer trail, the visual lure  80  can be relatively shorter because the deer will not have to see it from such far distances. In this situation, a shorter visual lure  80  amongst tall trees may blend in less with the surrounding trees, thereby making the visual lure  80  more visually conspicuous in this particular setting. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the visual lure  80  is a sapling or tree, noting that in other embodiments, a tree-like version of the visual lure  80  is a branch or other portion of a tree, a replica of a tree, and a replica of a portion of a tree. Preferably, the trees or portions of trees have been recently cut and are fresh, for example still having their leaves. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , regardless of the particular configuration of the visual lure  80 , it serves as not only visually enticing deer to approach it, but also as a holding substrate for the scent carrier  12 ,  14 . In use, the scent carrier  12 ,  14  is applied to the lure  80  so that the scent carrier  12 ,  14  and lure  80  cooperate with each other to present a scent that is detectable and intriguing to deer for an extended period of time. The period of time is preferably, for example, four hours, eight hours, twelve hours, or more, depending on the particular composition of the scent carrier  12 ,  14 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in some embodiments, the scent carrier  12 ,  14  may resemble or be made from deer-specific tissues, secretions, or fluids. These may include deer glandular secretions, pheromones, urine, and/or others. In other embodiments, the scent carrier  12 ,  14  may resemble or be made from a non-deer-specific materials. For example, the scent carrier  12 ,  14  may be or resemble the scent of a foodstuff that is either native or alternatively foreign to the particular habitat in which the device  10  is being used. Regardless, the scent carrier  12 ,  14  is configured to encourage deer to leave their own scent(s) scent marking and/or licking the scent carrier  12 ,  14  from the visual lure  80 . This may encourage further investigation of the visual lure  80  by other deer. Such other deer may also be enticed into scent marking and/or licking the visual lure. This activity may continue over time so that the device  10  serves as, for example, an auto-regenerating communal scent post. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 
     Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0