Using a mock dripper is an excellent idea to attract deer for hunting. But a common debate among the hunters is about the perfect time to use the dripper.
So, when to put out a scrape dripper?
The two most popular times to put out the scrape drippers are Late September to early October and Mid to late October. The former is around 30% more effective than the latter. But putting out the dripper earlier costs more money and effort, and has more risk of getting destroyed in extreme weather.
This won’t be enough for your decision-making about scrape dripper putting out time. To know more about it, keep reading.
How Does A Scrape Dripper Work?
A Scrape dripper keeps dropping a scrape scent that attracts deer. A scrape is a ground patch set up by deer to invite other deer to hang out in a particular place.
Deer leave scent from their forehead or preorbital glands, in the tree branches at the scrape to attract other deer.
They usually use this scrape around the pre-rut and rut season to find their partner.
Scrape drippers are used to drop scrape scents while making a mock scrape by the hunters as bait for the deer.
What Are The Time Options For Scrape Dripper: Quick Comparison
There are two popular time periods for putting out scrape drippers among hunters. One is late September to early October. And another popular time period is mid-October to late November. Each time period has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Here’s a quick comparison between these two popular periods for putting out scrape drippers.
| Factors | Late September – Early October | Mid October – Late October |
| Effectiveness | 80% | 50% |
| Time Consumption | 15-20 days | 3-7 days |
| Effort | Higher | Lower |
| Risk of getting ruined | Higher | Lower |
| Cost | $40 to $50 | $20 |
When To Put Out A Scrape Dripper: In-Depth Comparison
From the interesting comparison above, you must be intrigued to know more about when is the best time to put out a scrape dripper. Let’s get into that discussion.
Effectiveness:
From a personal survey I have conducted recently, 60% of hunters prefer to put out a scrape dripper from mid-October to early November. And the other 40% of the hunters like to start using a scrape dripper from early September to early October.
However, my survey shows the effective rate is 30% more in the late September to early October period. The does and fawns start to show earlier than the pre-rut season. They like to stay in a group and a scrape can be a great hangout place for them.
A scrape needs 3-7 days to get going. Because deer, especially mature bucks, are well aware of the mock scrapes if they have survived the 3-2 hunting season. When you put out the scrape early, a few deer start to visit it, even if it’s not the season.
So, when the season comes, the scrape looks more authentic and seems like it’s used regularly. In short, the early scrape jumps start before the season begins.
On the other hand, if you put out a scrape right in the pre-rut season, that is mid to late October, there is a 50-50 chance that the deer will start using it right away.
In the pre-rut season, you can use other scents to attract deer too. For example, Code Blue doe estrus lasts for a long time and works great.
Verdict on Effectiveness: From the effectiveness point of view, it is better to put out the scrape dripper between late September to early October.
Time Consumption:
Deer start using the scrapes in the pre-rut season and in the rut season. So, if you put out the scrape dripper early, let’s say, on October 1, you have to wait for at least 15-20 days until plenty of deer starts to use your mock scrape.
And let’s say, you put out the scrape dripper on October 15, when the pre-rut season starts. You need to wait 3-7 days until enough deer show up at your mock scrape.
Verdict on Time Consumption: Putting out the scrape dripper in late September to Early October will make you wait longer to get the desired outcome.
Effort:
When you put out the scrape dripper early, and you wait for 15 to 20 days, you have to put in extra effort too. You need to visit the mock scrape at least once a week. The mock scrape needs to be freshened up.
You need to remove the debris and make it look like it was recently used by the deer. Also, you need to visit to check the trail cameras and refill the dripper. The 4 oz scrapes in a dripper usually last for 2 weeks.
If you put out the scrape dripper on September 20, you have to visit at least 4 times before the pre-rut season begins and freshen it up. You also have to refill the scraper at least 2 times.
In contrast, putting out the scrape dripper when the pre-rut season starts, saves you both time and energy.
Verdict on Effort: Putting out the scrape dripper in mid to late October requires less effort than putting it out earlier.
Risk:
Putting out the scrape dripper earlier increases the risk of it getting destroyed by heavy wind or extreme weather. Although good quality scrape drippers automatically turn off in extreme weather so the products don’t get wasted.
But the surface setup will get ruined and you have to do it all over again. Putting out the scrape dripper later decreases the risk.
Verdict on Risk: Putting out the scrape dripper in late September to Early October is riskier than putting it out later.
Cost:
If you put our scrape dripper in the late September to early October period, you have to change the scent at least 2-3 times. That will cost you around $40 to $50. And there are additional fuel, food and other costs for your visit.
On the other hand, if you put out the scrape dripper in late October to early November, You probably don’t even need to refill it. So, the cost here will be around $20 only. Also, you have to visit less which will save you additional costs.
Here’s a quick tip. You can use human urine or elk urine in the scraped ground. Deer are attracted by these too. Elk have a musky smell which is very efficient for attracting deer.
Verdict on Cost: Putting out the scrape dripper in late September to Early October is more costly than putting it out in mid to late October.
Final Verdict
Putting out the scrape drippers in early September to late October will cost you more money and effort. But the effectiveness here is higher.
On the other hand, putting out the scrape drippers in mid to late October will be a little less effective but you have to give less effort and money.
Both are great times for putting out the scrape drippers. It is now up to you to choose a convenient time.
How To Effectively Put Out A Scrape Dripper?
No matter what time you choose, setting up a scrape dripper requires some rules to follow for the most effectiveness. So, while putting out the scrape dripper, keep these things in mind.
- Always wear gloves while putting out the scrape dripper so that your body smell doesn’t mix with it.
- If you put out the scrape dripper early, don’t forget to visit it at least once a week.
- Set up a waterhole near the mock drippers to lure deer.
- Set up a trail camera to observe the movement of the deer around the scrape.
Along with following these, use a great quality scrape dripper for maximum output.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can You Pee On A Deer Scrape
Yes, you can pee on a deer scrape. Deer do not associate human urine with humans as in danger. Instead, along with estrous, they are also attracted to human pee. And they are most likely to visit the scrape because of that smell.
Should You Hunt Over Scrapes?
Of course, you should hunt over scrapes. Deer scrapes are the best place to locate does and bucks together. You can hunt over a scrape with a lot less effort than in other ways.
Does Ammonia Attract Deer?
Yes, ammonia attracts deer. Deer are attracted by urine from both deer and other mammals. And the smell the deer are actually attracted to is the ammonia broken down from the urine.
Conclusion
Here goes the discussion on when to put out a scrape dripper. Although it requires a little more effort and money, try to put out a scrape dripper earlier if possible. And when the season comes, check all your hunting tags like a pro.
That’s all for now. Have a great day and all the best for the upcoming hunting season.
