Active Scrape Photo Series - Part Two

In my first post I mentioned that scrapes include a licking branch - a tree branch will hang above the cleared out soil. Bucks will rub their forehead glands on the stick and will also lick it with their tongue.

Also, that deer pee on their tarsal glands to leave their scent on the scrape.  In the whitetail world this is how bucks establish dominance over their territory and signal their readiness to breed.  Scrapes are normally used by more than one buck.

The following photos illustrate this behavior.  Follow along with me and check back periodically for updates.

click on images to enlarge