Early season scrapes

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Anyone have any luck hunting early bow season scrapes?

Found a scrape back in March that's alongside a bedding area (+/- 100 yards). I couldn't hunt this evening due to family schedule, but will be able to tomorrow morning. On my way home from work, the wind was stiff in the right direction for me to sneak in and take a look around since I haven't seen it since March. Found that scrape and it had fresh paw marks in it, scattered dirt in that heart shape, and broken licking branch above. A 2 day old rub (according to fellow HB member who did the rub testing haha) 35 yards from it. My wind will be just off perfect tomorrow for it and I plan to get in early.

Wanted to see other's thoughts and successes or mishaps on early season scrapes (early to mid September).

[Acer18]

Early season scrapes near bedding have productive for me. Shoot straight

[BBH1980]

Anyone have any luck hunting early bow season scrapes?

Found a scrape back in March that's alongside a bedding area (+/- 100 yards). I couldn't hunt this evening due to family schedule, but will be able to tomorrow morning. On my way home from work, the wind was stiff in the right direction for me to sneak in and take a look around since I haven't seen it since March. Found that scrape and it had fresh paw marks in it, scattered dirt in that heart shape, and broken licking branch above. A 2 day old rub (according to fellow HB member who did the rub testing haha) 35 yards from it. My wind will be just off perfect tomorrow for it and I plan to get in early.

Wanted to see other's thoughts and successes or mishaps on early season scrapes (early to mid September).

I found one myself. Our season doesn't start till oct 5 though. Let us know what you see.

[funderburk]

Dan says active scrapes near bedding are golden (HB Podcast #2). Eberhart says active scrapes in September are worth hunting. Andrae says if they’re working a licking branch in September near bedding it’s worth hunting.

I’d throw a sit at it.

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The morning after I speed scouted it, I sat it. Got in about an hour and a half before daylight. At about 0700 a smaller 8 point came through and headed right to the scrape. I ended up being to close to the scrape. When he came in he was right underneath my tree. I tried to grab my bow and my lower cam pulled some bark off the pine and he got spooky. He didn't bust out and blow all over, rather he just trotted off and malingered until he disappeared.

Came back later than evening taking a different way in, and sat the tree I should have sat that morning. Didn't see anything and sat until 10 minutes past closing.

I did learn some things though, so it wasn't a complete waste. Hot scrapes will have visitors if near bedding. Don't set up right over the sign and look for a tree a little further, and lastly, just pay attention. The buck didn't make a noise coming in and I just noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. Had I been observant instead of doing whatever I was doing (I actually think I was on my phone but can't remember) I would have had a quick 5-6 yard shot on him.