Hunting Strategy — Listener Q&A

Questions 282–296 of 296 in this category (page 3 of 3). ← previous · All listener questions

Scrapes & Mock Scrapes

Question: How many rope scrapes should you use on a property, or how many per acre? 44:08 — Doubting Thomas, Dealer Event & BIG Scrape Magnet News | Chasing Giants Podcast 314

Answer: Don estimates three well-placed rope scrapes on a 120-acre property could inventory every buck using it. 44:40

Question: Zane Baldwin from Hastings, Nebraska asks why deer stopped hitting his rope scrape after chewing the end frayed, and how to fix it. 39:58 — asked by Zane Baldwin — Episode #248 - Big Buck Down! Wes Delks Joins Us to Discuss UHAUL

Answer: Don suggests there are certain scents you can apply to a rope scrape that will make deer want to chew on it. 41:07
Answer: Wes says the same thing happened on his farm, so he just hung a second rope next to the frayed one, calling the spot ‘double rope’. 41:48
Answer: Wes recommends hanging a new rope right next to the old chewed one rather than replacing it. 42:03

Question: Steve asks if Don makes mock scrapes and when he switches his cameras to them. 41:47 — asked by Steve Taylor — Episode 237 - Cell Camera Spooking Mature Deer? Don Thinks Maybe So…

Answer: Don confirms he uses mock scrapes, preferring the rope scrape method, and switches cameras to them around Labor Day. 42:21

Question: Terry asks Don to address the person who rushes out to buy and hang a fresh rope scrape this week. 47:37 — Episode 237 - Cell Camera Spooking Mature Deer? Don Thinks Maybe So…

Answer: Don says that guy’s fresh rope won’t work because it hasn’t weathered all summer like ropes hung right after the prior season. 48:02

Question: Brian asks if he can scent his aged rope scrapes now, in July, and hang a camera on them instead of waiting for fall. 37:12 — asked by Brian Kats — Episode 230 - Don says Switchgrass is not the best bedding.

Answer: Don says it can be done now, but bucks will likely be more receptive once fall arrives. 37:19

Question: Terry asked whether hunters should aim for fewer, better scrapes rather than scattering many random scrapes across a property. 63:52 — Episode #185 - Bucks are starting to shift - Fall Plots, GET THEM IN

Answer: Don concentrates scent on a few rope scrapes because a stand and a camera are set up there to inventory bucks. 65:02

Question: An audience member asked whether the correct rope scrape height off the ground is two feet. 16:59 — Chasing Giants #155 - Hilarious Episode Live from Middlefield, OH

Answer: Don said rope scrapes should be a bit higher than two feet, closer to three or three and a half feet. 17:07

Question: An audience member asked what Don looks for with rope scrapes used as an inventory tool during the rut. 71:27 — Episode #110 - Double Episode live from Master Class - Al Foster gives great advise

Answer: Don said he doesn’t hunt over scrapes; he only uses a rope scrape paired with a camera to inventory bucks on a property. 71:43

Question: Todd Covey asked whether there’s a right or wrong time to reset a rope scrape once it’s been up for a year. 76:44 — Episode #58 - Burning Native Grass Tips and Great Questions from 3rd Master Class

Answer: Don said once deer start hitting a rope scrape, it never needs to be reset again, not even the following year. 77:18

Question: Brian Isler of Granville, Ohio asked whether Don plans to hold another master class or has other ideas, since he hasn’t seen one scheduled. 31:40 — asked by Brian Isler — INSANE Bedding Cover + 22 Bears on Camera?! | Chasing Giants #318

Answer: Don suspended the master class because the property tours put too much pressure on his farm and weren’t worth the strain. 32:04
Answer: Don says he’d still like to get people on the farm again someday, partly just to clear up rumors that have spread about it. 33:26

Question: Will Don host on-site field days again once his new farm projects are complete, and when would he announce it? 34:05 — asked by Benjamin Mains — Late Season EXPLOSION! Why Giants Are Falling Everywhere | Chasing Giants #302

Answer: Don says there’s a fairly good chance he will do on-site tours again someday, though not this year. 35:12

Question: An audience member asked whether Don plants sheds ahead of time at Master Classes for advertising purposes. 62:27 — Episode 159 - Captive Deer Breeding… Why Don Got Out

Answer: Don said across all the Master Classes, only two sheds were ever found. 62:39
Answer: Don said no shed has ever been planted for a class. 62:51

Question: A listener asks how the Master Class differs from what he learned as a kid, and whether hunting technique or food plots matter more. 49:30 — asked by James Market — Episode #139 - Plans Can Change… Goals Stay The Same!

Answer: Don says the fruit and nut trees on his farm aren’t the difference maker; there’s no secret trick, just sound hunting practices he teaches. 50:13
Answer: Terry says if forced to choose, how you hunt matters more than what you provide, though both done right have positive impact. 52:08
Answer: Don adds his top seven bucks came from six different properties, only one with a food plot, proving how he hunted mattered more than habitat work. 53:13

Question: Caleb Cook asked whether Don would put an experience limit on master class attendees, arguing it caters to inexperienced rich hunters. 61:03 — Episode #98 - Don’s Trophy Room, Stolen Gun, and New Title Sponsor

Answer: Don rejected the premise, saying the accusation that he turned hunting into a rich man’s sport is completely inaccurate given his decades of unpaid advocacy work. 65:32
Answer: Terry said the class exists to teach hunters to set goals and stop shooting every young buck, regardless of income. 68:05

Question: Terry confirms with Don whether his master classes are now completely full. 16:55 — Episode #44 - New Year’s Resolutions, Bedding Cover, Hunting Cold Temps, and Sharing Hunting Property with Family

Answer: Don confirms his master classes are 100% booked, though he has room for up to three private weekday group sessions for groups of up to 20. 17:02

Unofficial fan project. AI-synthesized from public episodes; may contain errors.