It’s getting to be that time.

You know, when the holiday decorations replace the summer beach towels and pool shock, when the “clearance” racks hold tank tops and well, discounted Philadelphia Phillies wear. And it’s time for the urine-based deer lures to make their appearance.

Buck Nut, Dandy Dander, Hot Doe, Peak Estrus, Dominant Buck (I’ve yet to see the Submissive Buck), Trails’ End, and similar products. Like many other hunters, I’ve used urine-based lures for hunting, with varying degrees of success. I’ve come to believe that when urine-based lures don’t work, there are two main reasons – we’ve contaminated them with human scent, or, they’ve exceeded their shelf life.

And to further compound the question, here’s what most deer biologists will tell you – deer aren’t attracted to the scent of urine by itself; they are attracted to the associated scents, especially scent that comes from the tarsal glands on the rear legs of deer. Yet deer rarely urinate on their tarsal glands – studies have shown that they do that only about five percent of the time.

Add that fact to the ongoing, ever-growing concern about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer, and it makes even more sense to try a synthetic deer lure. CWD is spread, from the environment and deer-to-deer, through deer urine.

Dave Andrews, Andrews Archery, Frackville, found himself getting turned off by the customers’ reaction to the urine-based lures he sold in the past. Although Andrews knew about the worry of CWD and its potential affect on the state’s deer herd, his product change was more a response to what customers wanted.

“They (urine-based lure producers) take a hot product, put it in a container and ship it to dealers and sportsman’s shows and they have to keep up with the required volume,” Andrews said. “They have to pull it early and late to keep up with the demand.”

“I’ve made the change to synthetic lures and I like what I’m hearing from my customers,” Andrews said. “It doesn’t go bad and it works better than any urine product I ever used – doesn’t scare deer, makes them curious, like they want to see who’s joining the party.”

You can’t argue with results. Last season, Andrews dropped a bruiser buck that was investigating “The Vine” which serves as the “licking branch” over a scrape. The vine is adjustable and flexible, and synthetic with a scent infused at the molecular level. There are no liquids to spoil or spill.

The Archery Trade Association (ATA) rated it the Best New Archery Product last year, noting its “lifelike look and feel, attracts deer in the area quickly.” The Vine can be refreshed with a companion synthetic powder, which comes in various attractant formulations. When the powder is dispensed, the scent does not break down and continues to work for weeks after the initial application.

“There are so many gimmicks, but this is not a gimmick,” Andrews said. “From what I experienced using it, and what my customers are saying, this is a product that definitely works.”

For more information, go to www.SCRAPEFIX.COM. The product is legal in all 50 states and Canada.