How To Use Deer Urine For Hunting

Using deer urine is a popular and effective hunting technique, especially during the rut. Here’s how to use different types of deer urine to attract bucks and improve your chances of success.

1. Types of Deer Urine and Their Uses

Doe Urine

• What It Is: Collected from does, this scent is neutral and can be used throughout the season.

• When to Use: Early to mid-season, as it doesn’t signal a threat or mating signal to bucks or does.

• How to Use:

  • Drag Rag: Apply doe urine to a rag and drag it behind you as you walk to your stand. This leaves a scent trail, simulating a doe walking through the area, which can arouse the curiosity of nearby deer.

  • Mock Scrapes: Add doe urine to mock scrapes to create the illusion of recent doe activity, drawing bucks into the area.

  • Near Your Stand: Place doe urine-soaked wicks around your stand, about 20-30 yards out, which can help mask human scent and create a natural scent barrier.

Doe-in-Estrus (Heat) Urine

• What It Is: Collected from does in estrus (ready to breed), this urine has a strong scent that signals a receptive doe.

• When to Use: Best used during the pre-rut and peak rut phases, when bucks are actively searching for mates.

• How to Use:

  • Scent Dripper: Set up a scent dripper over a scrape or trail near your stand. The dripper will gradually release doe-in-heat scent, making bucks believe a doe is nearby and heightening their interest.

  • Scent Wicks: Place estrus-scented wicks or scent bombs in a semi-circle around your stand to cover multiple wind directions.

  • Combine with Calling: Pair estrus urine with estrus bleats or buck grunts to mimic a doe-buck encounter. This combination can entice a dominant buck to investigate.

Buck Urine

• What It Is: Scent from a buck, which signals a territorial marker.

• When to Use: Pre-rut and early rut, when bucks are starting to establish territories and are more likely to challenge other bucks.

• How to Use:

  • Mock Scrapes: Use buck urine in scrapes to create the impression of another buck intruding. Dominant bucks may come to investigate and establish their dominance.

  • Trail Markers: Apply buck urine to bushes or branches along deer trails, especially near bedding areas, to trigger a response from other bucks.

  • Pair with Rattling or Snort-Wheeze: Use buck urine with rattling antlers or a snort-wheeze call to complete the illusion of an intruding buck, increasing the chance of drawing out a dominant buck.

Dominant Buck Urine

• What It Is: Scent from a mature, dominant buck. It has a stronger odor than regular buck urine and signals a challenge.

• When to Use: Best during the peak rut when bucks are most territorial and assertive.

• How to Use:

  • Scrape and Rub Lines: Add dominant buck urine to scrapes and rubs to give the impression of a mature buck challenging any rivals in the area.

  • Close to the Stand: Apply to wicks placed downwind of your stand to draw bucks in for a challenge, increasing their aggression and making them more likely to come closer.

Safety and Considerations

Always ensure that the urine you are using is from a reputable source to prevent the spread of diseases among deer. Also, be mindful of the wind direction when applying scents to maximize their effectiveness and minimize the chances of alerting deer to your presence.

Conclusion

Using deer urine effectively requires knowledge of different types and their optimal uses during the hunting season. By applying these methods, you can increase your chances of attracting deer and having a successful hunt.