The Antler Almanac - Hunting an Active Scrape After a Soaking Rain

Here is another installment of the Antler Almanac from Big Game Camera Man Pete Plasmier. Check out this tip from Pete below about hunting bucks right after rain storms. Be sure to check out Pete's hunting and fishing website The Outdoorsmens Voice for more hunting and fishing tips, forums, pics, videos and recipes. And also check out Pete's game calls and hunting DVD's at Sportsmens Choice Game Calls

The Antler Almanac

To succeed as a whitetail hunter, you have to do plenty of scouting before and during the season. It’s essential to know that a mature buck lives in your core hunting area. One way to be sure is to look for active scrapes. A mature buck may have several of them in his core area. 

This week’s tip: Take advantage of an active scrape in your hunting area immediately after a soaking rain. 

I’m always concerned to keep my camera dry, and that has led me to a discovery. Going into the woods immediately after a soaking rain, I’ve found that very soon (roughly one hour) after the storm has ended, mature bucks tend to their scrapes. Over the years, working from a tree stand (ideally, located about 15 yards from a scrape), I’ve gotten some mind-boggling footage of bucks right after storms, at all times of day.

Timing is important: Pay close attention to the weather forecast and be in your stand right after the storm ends. You and your gear will get wet, and conditions will be slippery, so be sure to move cautiously in the woods and wear a safety belt at all times in the stand. You’ll be in place if the buck comes to freshen his scrape and he won’t expect you to be there under such conditions. Putting some deer lure in the scrape could give you an added advantage for a perfect broadside shot.

An exception: If a day is rainy and windy, don’t bother hitting the woods.
In strong winds (25 mph or more) the deer will refuse to move, and tree stands may be too dangerous.

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