The Deer Camp Chronicles

In the run-up to deer camp there are deer and evidence of their rutting (mating) activities.

Buck rubs

A sensory (visual and olfactory) signpost that this is my territory

And tending a scrape

Bucks create scrapes by using their hooves to dig at the ground.  Once the turf is stirred up they urinate on the scrape.  Bucks don't pee the way we do.  We try to keep it off of us.  Bucks actually pee on their hind legs.  The object is to his their tarsal glands in an effort to leave their scent on the scrape.  Every deer has its own unique bouquet and the tarsal glands hold concentrated amounts of this spoor.

Another thing associated with scrapes is a licking branch.  A tree branch above the cleared out soil.  Bucks will rub their forehead glands on the stick and will also lick it with their tongue.

It's all quite romantic.