Developing and maintaining a Community Licking Branch is a great way to attract curious deer to your land.

Aug 9

4 min read

Now is the perfect time to begin setting up community scrapes, licking branches or ropes. By establishing these features, you can create an inviting environment that will entice deer to return daily. The allure of curiosity is a significant factor for deer, drawing them to the community scrapes and licking branches.

In the late summer months of July and August, bucks undergo a shift in behavior. During this time, bucks do not engage in combat with their velvet antlers, but instead, they start establishing their dominance within the local deer hierarchy. One of the ways they go about this is by visiting a well-known scrape, where they deposit their scent, potentially rub and chew on a licking branch, and then move on. This behavior is a way for them to mark their territory and communicate their presence to other deer in the area.

As the bucks come and go from the scrape, other bucks will pass by, catching a whiff of the scent and potentially assessing the competition. Additionally, curious does may also come to investigate the area and smell the lingering scent left by the bucks. Setting up a camera nearby can provide a way to observe and document the diverse activity of deer visiting the scrape, offering valuable insight into the deer population and their behavior in the area.

Very simple and basic supplies are all you will need to DIY your own Community Scrape and Licking Branch or Rope.

Licking Branch -

You can cut a few oak branches off a tree on your land
Buy a 4x4 post or you can use any type of post for the anchor that you may have on hand
Exterior Screws (any type you have lying around)
Gloves to reduce your scent

To set up a licking branch, begin by firmly securing the post into the ground. Next, take your branches and affix them near the top of the post using exterior screws. It is recommended to leave a distance of about 5 to 7 feet between the branches and the ground, as indicated in the picture.

I chose a spot for my licking branch and scrape in the middle of my food plot.

Rope -

1/2" to 3/4" hemp rope
Zip Ties or any type of wire you have
Gloves to reduce your scent

To hang your rope, first find a sturdy branch, preferably in an area with high deer traffic or near your food plot or field edge. This is a simple process. Tie a knot at the end of your rope, hang the knot over the top of the branch, and secure it with zip ties, wire, or whatever is available. Ensure that it's firmly secured and about 4 to 6 feet above the ground.

As you can see in the picture, I put mine on the edge of my field in an area that naturally funnels the deer into my food plot.

Mock Scrape -

Some muscles
A stick lying around that can rough up the ground
Gloves to reduce your scent

When creating mock scrapes, it's crucial to consider attractiveness. The goal is to make the scrapes appear natural while also ensuring that they stand out as the most appealing in the area. I've found that some of the most effective natural scrapes were established beneath perfectly positioned trees that appeared to naturally serve as a scrape site. This not only enhances the natural look of the scrape but also attracts more deer activity.

To create a scrape, position yourself under the rope or branch you just hung. While wearing gloves, roughen up the area below with a stick as shown above. This process is straightforward and requires no special efforts. The area you make can be as small as a 2' x 2' or as big as 5' x 5'.

Once the scrape has been made we highly recommend using the Big Buck Adventures Unlimited Scrape Mix. To set it up, take a small amount of the scrape mix and carefully place it on the outer edge of the scrape.

https://bigbuckadventures.com/shop/#!/Ultimate-Scrape-Mix/p/572252284/category=0

For both of the Licking Branch and Rope -

Rubber Gloves (to keep your scent off of everything and not cover your hands with Pre Orbital)
Buck Preorbital (We recommend Big Buck Adventures - Oil-Based Buck Preorbital)

https://bigbuckadventures.com/shop/#!/Oil-Base-Buck-Pre-Orbital/p/572252264/category=0

Adding preorbital scent to branches and rope can help attract deer to new areas more quickly. This method is an effective way to pull deer to desired locations.

Whitetail deer possess preorbital glands near their eyes, aiding in lubrication. These glands can release an odor when controlled by the deer's muscles.

When you apply the buck preorbital, start by placing a small amount of the oil-based preorbital on your glove. Then, gently massage it onto the hemp rope or licking branches for optimal effect.