HOW A WHITETAIL BUCK MAKES A ‘SCRAPE’

A whitetail buck will choose an overhanging tree branch, thrash his antlers at the limb, lick and chew the ends of the branch, rub his face against the tips of twigs, paw the leaves and debris on the ground and then urinate on the pawed area. This scraping process involves the seven scent glands and communicates the buck’s presence to other deer.

Sources: “Non-Verbal Whitetail Deer Communication” by Brian R. Kightlinger, Mossy Oak, Legendary Whitetails Photo: U.S. Geological Survey Graphic: James Hilston/Post-Gazette