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We’re proud to share that HODAG Outdoors was recently featured in Alberta Outdoors Magazine in an in-depth article discussing mock scrapes, deer behavior, and innovative tools for scent communication. The article highlights how serious whitetail hunters are using the HODAG HempScent Rope, Licking Stick System, Licking Branch System, and AllSeason Scent to create consistent deer interaction and increase success during the early season and pre-rut. Being recognized by a respected Canadian hunting publication is an honor — and a testament to the effectiveness of our products designed by hunters, for hunters. This article, written by Kevin Wilson, is especially powerful as Kevin's experiences come from firsthand use of our HODAG Outdoors products, and his firsthand testimony of how he uses those products as an expeirenced deer hunter. HODAG Outdoors featured in Alberta Outdoors Magazine “I've tried some crazy things- some which actually worked, in turn revolutionizing the way I hunt. Two of the most significant involved making and hunting over mock scrapes, along with my newest introduction to the world of deer toys.” Mock Scrapes Done Right The article emphasizes something we’ve believed from the beginning: “they will often take over the mock scrape, servicing it themselves.” Mock scrapes are one of the most powerful tools a hunter can use — not just during peak rut, but throughout the season. When built properly and in a location the deer want to communicate in, they become year-round social hubs for deer. Our goal is to tee up the perfect scrape in locations that work for us as hunters, and then let the deer do the scenting for us. The AllSeason Scent simply stimulates the first couple deer to drop their own scent on it, and from there, it's like a dog pissing on a fire hydrant - once one does it the next can't help but do the same. The feature explains how establishing these scent communication hubs in spots that are ideal for you as a deer hunter can be a very valuable asset, and in Kevin's case, even revolutionize how you deer hunt. Mature buck interacting with a HODAG Licking Branch mock scrape setup. Why the HempScent Rope Works One of the standout products discussed in the article is the HODAG HempScent Rope. Our natural and non-chemically treated HempScent Rope fibers absorbs and disperses scent effectively while allowing deer to interact naturally — rubbing, chewing, and dropping their own glandular scent on the rope. “Something about it draws deer in like moths to a flame.” When jumpstarted with the included AllSeason Scent, the rope becomes a highly effective deer communication tool that works during early season, rut, and even late season conditions. Hunters featured in the article observed consistent deer interaction, including younger bucks and mature bucks checking and working the setup repeatedly. Big buck dropping his own glandular scent on the HempScent Rope. The Licking Branch System: Perfect Mock Scrape Setup Anywhere Another key product highlighted is the HODAG Licking Branch System. Designed to simulate a natural overhanging branch, this system uses a spring-loaded mechanism that allows movement when deer interact with it. The result? A realistic response that holds up under aggressive buck activity and keeps your stick from breaking, which is one of the biggest gripes we hear from folks use competitors branch holders, which are rigid and more often than not lead to a broken branch, and innefective mock scrape. This lets hunters can establish a highly effective scent communication hub exactly where they want deer to stop — whether that’s in front of a trail camera or within bow range. Licking Branch System installed creating the perfect overhanging mock scrape. Deer Toys: Curiosity That Creates Opportunity The feature also discusses the use of deer toys and interactive setups to increase engagement at stand sites. Although we don't usually refer to our HODAG Outdoors products as "deer toys", when you watch how the deer actually use these scent hubs it kind of makes sense... especially when it's does and fawns. What they are actually doing is scent communicating and depositing their glandular scent on the setup... but to us it sure does look like they are having a grand old time playing with it! This in turn gives us as hunters: More and better trail camera footage Super cool trail camera pictures and videos More controlled shot opportunities Longer engagement times in front of stand setups and trail cameras An understanding of what deer are on the property and how they are using the property Built by Hunters. Proven in the Field. What makes this feature especially meaningful to us is that the article wasn’t written as a product pitch — it was written from Kevin's real-world hunting experience. "I've seen a lot of gimmicks in the hunting industry, and I wasn't sure what to think about it. Pleasantly surprised by the results, after having one of them out for only a few hours, deer were magically visiting, and actually playing with them!" Our HODAG products are now an integral part of Kevin's deer hunting journey. At HODAG Outdoors, we started out having our "marketing" be us sharing how we use these products in our own deer huntingstrategies, and sharing our results (mainly through trailcamera pictures and videos). Now, our focust has transferred to sharing our customers own experiences and stories. We’re honored that Alberta Outdoors recognized our products, and were willing to share with their Canadian audience of deer hunting enthusiasts. HODAG customer and user posing with a big Canadian buck. Read the Full Article The full Alberta Outdoors Magazine feature dives deeper into mock scrape strategy, scent communication, and setup tips. Read the Full Alberta Outdoors Article Used with permission from Alberta Outdoors Magazine. Explore the Featured Products Ready to build a better mock scrape system? HempScent Rope Licking Stick System AllSeason Scent Licking Branch System

From Mock Scrapes to Active Scrapes: Building Better Deer Scent Hubs with HODAG's HempScent Rope (Field-Tested Lessons) TL;DR: Scrapes work when they’re in the right place, deer scent mark them quickly, and you keep pressure low. Put the rope on a trail intersection deer already use, open the area so they feel comfortable approaching from any wind direction, and think of your HempScent Rope as a “deer telephone” for deer-to-deer scent communication—not bait or magic.   The Big Picture: Pattern Deer, Not Just a Buck Hunters talk about “patterning a buck.” Useful—but zoom out. What wins over a season is understanding how all deer use your property as food, bedding, and hunting pressure changes. Early season focus should be on food; once soybeans yellow and acorns drop, activity shifts. Your scrapes should move with those pattern shifts, or have multiple locations and cameras set up to help you understand these shifts on the property you are hunting. Key idea: Use cameras on multiple scent hubs or mock scrapes to map where deer are at different parts of the year on your property, and how you can take advantage of that information to hunt them. Location Beats Everything A HempScent Rope, or any type of mock scrape, in the wrong place will never “start working.” Generally, deer won't go out of there way to scent communicate and make scrapes or scent hubs. Location is by far the biggest factor in creating any successfull scrape, and the better you understand your property and how the deer use it, the better you will get at creating successfull setups. Trail intersections & travel corridors (deer trails, logging roads, ATV trails, pinch points, etc...) Between bedding and food in early/late season; between bedding areas during the rut. Different Locations are better suited for different types of scent hubs. For example, a HODAG Licking Stick System is better suited, and often more effective, for a small food plot than a HempScent Rope would be. If a deer doesn’t touch it within ~7–14 days, it's not in the right spot. Move it. Don’t wait a season! Kickstart the Snowball (Fast Engagement Matters) Scrapes function as communication hubs. One deer scent-marks, then another, and momentum builds. Aim for first contact inside a week or two. One doe with fawns using it regularly can carry the site into October when bucks ramp up and use your rope to scent communicate. If nobody touches it early, you’re likely off the main line, or just not in a spot the deer want to scent communcate in at that time of the year. Relocate, or understand your setup may not get used until the deer start using that location at a different time of the year. When creating any mock scrape or scent hub, don't look at it like you are making a fake scrape. Instead, put yourself in the deer's perspective and try to create the perfect spot for the deer to communicate with one another naturally. Once the deer start dropping their own glandular scent, your setup is no longer a mock scrape, but rather an active scrape! Human Pressure Explains a Lot The “October lull” is often caused by September rush: hunters going in to their properties and stand locations getting in last minute work like hanging and trimming stands, hanging cameras, scouting, etc... put the deer on alert and can change their behaviors. We like to try and get all our work done in the summer months, allowing you to minimize pressure leading up to and during the deer hunting season. If you do go in and disturb your property, understand that it may take time to let the deer in that area get back to normal and be comfortable using the areas you intruded. Setups That Get Touched Make approach easy and safe from every wind, using a weed whacker to clear a large area around your HempScent Rope. When deer feel comfortable accessing your mock scrape setup, they are more likely to use it. Height: hang at deer nose level; too high or too low kills interaction. We like to have the end of our rope be 3.5-4 feet from the ground. Use paracord to hit the perfect height off otherwise “wrong” limbs. Clear a bubble: weed-whack ~6 feet around the rope and trim surrounding brush so mature deer can circle downwind and still feel comfortable. Knot tip: many hunters see more interaction with a simple overhand knot near the rope’s working end—adds surface and a hard spot for deer to rub and deposit their glands on. Inventory vs. Hunting Setups: Use Rope Scrapes Intentionally Inventory/Intel: Hang on high-use trails, close to bedding, and other locations on your property to learn which part of the property specific bucks and other deer are using during particular times of the year. Kill Sites: For areas that you want to hunt, adding a HempScent Rope setup can help you to stop a deer for a shot, as well as get an understanding or pattern on when a specific deer is using that trail or location. Hunt that location based on wind and the intel your trail camera gives you! Fine-tuning: Small differences in location can make big differences. Year to year, small movements of the rope, as small as 10–50 yards at a time, can help you dial in where the best location for your rope, camera, and stand are in that particular section of your property.  Baited States: Separate the Hub from the Pile When customers are struggling to get deer to use their setups its often because it is located right next to or near a bait or mineral site. I believe it is due to the deers mind and attention focused on feeding, and not on scent communication. Move locations with it, such as trail crossings, logging roads, food plots, natural openings in the woods... etc. You want to put these things in areas that deer are naturally going to already, this just puts them on a spot.  We have found from hunting southern states like Oklahoma where baiting is an integral part of the deer hunting strategy that creating scent hubs on the travel path from bedding to the bait can be an effective way to pattern and hunt a buck that is using the bait, but not getting their until after dark.  Place your rope 50–75 yards off the pile on the approach trail from bedding. You’ll pull earlier daylight interaction and a more natural, relaxed behavior at the rope. Why a Rope “Doesn’t Work” (and Fixes) Wrong place. Move to a defined trail or intersection. Hidden in brush/grass. Hang where it stands out; clear the ground and surrounding area. Too close to a trunk. Give deer room to work—avoid hanging your rope close to the trunk of a tree (at least 5 or 6 feet minimum). Bad height. Adjust with paracord; aim for nose-level or 3.5-4 feet from the ground. Expecting bait behavior. Ropes amplify natural communication—they don’t manufacture traffic or draw deer from long distances like bait does. Scent: The Honest, Effective Approach Bottled scents don’t beat a real deer’s glands touching your rope, mock scrape, or any type of deer communication scent hub. This is why we created the HODAG AllSeason Scent, and include it with all of our systems. The scent is merely designed to get deer to initially interact with your setup. Once that happens, let the natural deer scent communication behavior take over! Apply a starter at the initial setup. Once deer interact, stop reapplying. Save the bottle for your next setup. Don’t obsess over gloves and suits—focus on where you hang it and how deer approach. Learn more about everything deer scent hubs and mock scrapes on our website!

The Original Hemp Rope for Mock Scrapes: Build More Effective Rope Scrapes with HODAG’s HempScent Rope Systems By HODAG Outdoors TL;DR: HODAG Outdoors came to market with the HempScent Rope System in 2020, pioneering the hemp rope mock scrape craze in the deer hunting world. In this blog you'll learn why HempScent Rope works, precisely how to create perfect rope scrapes, and how HODAG's HempScent Rope Mock Scrape Systems will help you put more deer in front of your cameras and stands this deer season. A neutral comparison table and FAQs are included below. Field proof: One of our first buck images on HempScent Rope in 2019 (left). On the right, a Wisconsin buck marking the rope in 2025. ▶ Watch: Why HODAG HempScent Rope Works Why HODAG HempScent Rope works for mock scrapes Our HempScent Rope is a proprietary blend of fibers, giving you maximum absorption to act like a scent sponge—absorbing and holding both our HODAG AllSeason Scent (included in all rope scrape kits) and the deer’s natural glandular scent, longer. We designed the HempScent Rope fibers to be extremely durable without chemical treatment, so your setup can last in the elements for years—becoming a self-sustaining community signpost for bucks, does, and fawns all year long. Excellent scent absorption & slow release Lasts for years in the elements without chemical treatment Deer naturally apply their own glandular scents Video: Value and Results of a HODAG HempScent Rope Mock Scrape Setup Ready to try it? Shop the HODAG HempScent Rope Systems How to create an effective HempScent Rope mock scrape What you’ll need — the HODAG HempScent Rope System: Single-Setup or Multi-Setup (includes AllSeason Scent, attachment cord, and HempScent Rope). Pick the spot — travel corridor, heavy trail/crossing, or field/plot edge with good visibility and wind advantage. Hang the rope — attach to a sturdy branch or limb using the pre-attached paracord. Hang height — adjust so the end of the rope is 3–4 ft above the ground (nose level for your average deer). Clear area — using a weed whacker or machete, completely clear around the rope of brush, tall grasses, and debris so deer can access from multiple wind directions. Rake up ground — use a rake, weed whacker, or your boot to disturb a large, beach-ball-sized area below the rope to bare ground. Apply scent — with the included HODAG AllSeason Scent, soak the rope fibers and let some drip into the bare dirt below. Monitor — hang a trail camera 10–20 ft away; cellular cams help reduce pressure. Once deer are consistently interacting, you won’t need to re-apply often—they’ll do it for you. For more in-depth setups across states and habitat types, visit our HODAG Outdoors YouTube Channel. Hemp Rope Mock Scrape Kits — Side-by-Side Comparison Spec HODAG HempScent Rope Systems Wildlife Research Center Golden Rope Tink’s Naturally Primes Scrape Rope ConQuest Rope Scrape Kit Raised Hunting — The Hemp Rope Bundle First to Market The Original, brought to market in 2020 Brought to market in 2023 Brought to market in 2025 Brought to market in 2025 Brought to market in 2025 Proven Field Results Years of extensively documented deer use Limited shared results Very little shared results; pen-raised deer Limited shared results Limited shared results Knotted End Yes No Yes No No Rope Type Proprietary blend of natural hemp + other untreated absorbent fibers (HODAG spec) Fiber rope Fiber rope Sisal rope Natural hemp # of Setups in Box 1–3 (varies by system; Single-Setup or Multi-Setup: 36–72 inches of rope) 3 (three short ropes, 30 inches each) 1 (32 inches of rope) 1 (36 inches of rope) 1 short piece (18 inches of rope) Scent Included? Yes — HODAG AllSeason Scent (4–8 oz depending on system) Yes — concentrate No — claims “pre-scented” by pen-raised deer Yes — stick-style scent Yes — spray-style scents Price (USD) $24.99–$39.99 $34.99–$47.99 $24.99 $34.99 $69.99 Differences Between the Single-Setup & Multi-Setup Single-Setup: A field-ready kit to create one mock scrape. Simply open the bag, hang, and scent the rope. Includes 36 inches of rope, 4 oz AllSeason Scent, and 10 ft of pre-attached paracord. Multi-Setup: A larger quantity of HempScent Rope and AllSeason Scent for multiple scrapes however you choose. Includes 6 ft of rope and 8 oz AllSeason Scent. FAQs   What rope is best for mock scrapes? Look for a rope that meets this criteria: Not chemically treated Absorbs moisture & scent Durable in the outdoors (won’t break down in the elements) These are the criteria we used when we formulated the HODAG HempScent Rope fiber blend. Hemp fibers are naturally tough and weather-resistant, so a single setup can hang for seasons and become a community scrape—a scent hub deer revisit year after year. We add super-absorbent fibers to increase scent uptake and retention while maintaining durability. What about jute, manila, or sisal? Many commodity manila (abacá), jute, and sisal ropes are oiled or otherwise treated to resist moisture and decay—great for utility use, but often less absorbent, so they can hold less scent. Untreated versions exist, but they typically break down faster outdoors. If you consider them, check the product data sheet for finishes/coatings. Ready to build a long-lasting mock scrape? Shop HODAG HempScent Rope. What’s in HODAG AllSeason Scent? HODAG AllSeason Scent is a proprietary, small-batch formula we hand-mix in Green Bay, WI using natural and organic compounds. It contains no deer or animal urine, glands, secretions, or fluids, and nothing considered food or consumable. The formula is designed to jump-start interaction on a fresh rope and encourage natural scent marking—one reason it’s included with every HODAG HempScent Rope System. How to use: Liberally coat or soak the rope fibers upon initial setup. Once deer are consistently interacting and leaving their own scent, frequent re-application isn’t necessary. Regulations for scents/attractants vary by state—always check local rules before use.   Shop HODAG HempScent Rope — Multi-Setup

When creating a mock scrape there are numerous scents out there generally focused on creating mock scrapes during the rutting period in the fall. However, we have seen equal or greater success creating mock scrapes during the early season as well. While many other "mock scrape scents" utilized urine or glandular based deer scent, HODAG AllSeason Scent takes a different and more efficient approach to creating effective mock scrapes.AllSeason Scent was specifically designed jumpstart natural interaction on a mock scrape regardless of the season. Designed to be used during initial setup, HODAG AllSeason Scent allows you to create a self-sustaining mock scrape where the deer provide all the scent needed to make it effective. No filling up drippers, or reapplying scent when you don't want to be in the woods putting unwanted pressure on your deer herd.Made of 100% natural compounds HODAG AllSeason Scent contains no deer urine or glands and triggers the natural curiosity of a whitetail deer, causing them to drop their own glandular scent. We believe there is no scent out there as effective as natural deer scent, so why try to replicate what we can stimulate to happen where we decide.This methodology has helped us create more effective mock scrapes during late and early season while minimizing the pressure we put on our property. This "two birds with one stone" approach is the reason why HODAG AllSeason Scent is the most effective scent for creating mock scrapes during any period of the year.

Temps Going Down, Setups Heating Up Late Season Success on HODAG Systems As things begin to slow down in the midwest with snow on the ground and temps below freezing, one thing has continued to heat up. With cell cameras using the last of their battery life, we are continuing to have pictures come in daily of deer still using HODAG setups. With each product we sell we make analogies to describe what our products accomplish, one I like to use is a golf course. Every green is complete with a flag for us to aim at and keep us moving in the right direction. Some might go there straight away, and others might take a longer route there, even if not by our own volition. Regardless of skill everyone looks to the flag for where they should be aiming next, without it we would simply be swinging without direction. Every HODAG setup is a like the flag on the golf course, a location for deer to aim towards as they make their way through food plots, and travel corridors. This is even more evident when looking at what were green plots turn into baron, snow covered stretches of nothingness. Some deer might head straight away to a setup and others might take a longer route (theirs not predicated on handicap). That is why our products make your trail cameras and scouting more effective. Rather than set your camera up and rely on luck to get deer to wander past it, each one of our products guide deer to a spot we choose to inventory, pattern, or hunt. Observing the deer interaction on our products throughout the year, it is evident that with snow on the ground and hormone levels back to normal, there are even less distractions in the woods allowing them to focus on heading towards the "flag". That is the reason for the uptick in activity when things should be getting more stagnant. Whether it be a HempScent Rope on a field edge, a Licking Stick in a food plot, or a Licking Branch on a travel corridor, each leverage a deer's natural behavior to head towards a spot rather than wand aimlessly.

Christmas Gifts for Hunters With Christmas right around the corner, we all know buying gifts for a hunter or outdoorsman can be difficult. Usually I end of up getting gift cards to the local sporting good shop which ends up being spent on everyday essentials. However, our products can offer a perfect alternative to the boring gift cards when shopping for the hunter in your life. We are a small business made up of outdoorsman that make a line of unique whitetail hunting products. Our products can be gifted to both beginner and experienced hunters and will likely be something they haven't used before. What makes our products the perfect gift for any hunter is that they can be used year-round and for years to come. If the hunter in your life has trail cameras, our products can be the perfect tool for them to put in front of them. We have customers around the country finding success using our products, just check the reviews. So if you're looking for a Christmas gift for a hunter look no further. Whether it be our Licking Stick, HempScent Rope, Licking Branch, or our Happy HODAG Bundle they wont be dissapointed. Give the hunter in your life a unique gift from a small company made by  fellow outdoorsman right here in the USA. Skip the gift cards this season and give them something that will be used for years to come.

3 tips to get the most out of Your HODAG products Being the small company that we are, every customer's question makes its way through our warehouse.  We are all hunters, with different philosophies and ideas on answering those questions. Throughout the year we see and hear customer comments and questions asking, "what is the best way to use our products".  We also see a few common mistakes made so we've decided to share our recommendations to fix those mistakes, hopefully before they happen to you.  1.) Don't set up near a bait or feeder.  One of our first questions to a customer comment about lack of deer using their HODAG system is..."Is your setup located next to bait?". The answer to that question is often "yes". The goal of our products is to start natural communication in an area that we choose, ultimately getting us more and better pictures or even a shot opportunity. The problem in putting a setup next to bait is that the deer are in that spot for a reason...to eat your bait, not necessarily to communicate.  If you are using a setup on top of a bait pile or next to a feeder, reevaluate what your goals are with our products. Your bait is already putting deer in front of your camera.   2.) Have faith and patience.   All good things take time, and our products are no different. You are trying to create a scent communication hub that will be used for years to come, so don't be defeated if deer aren't using it in the first few days. It can take time for the deer to find the setup and in reality, it can take time for the woods to go back to normal after it gets disrupted while making a setup. We have the customers who see results the first day but also have customers find success after a week or two. I don't care what the score of the game is in the first quarter, it's the end of the game that matters.  Don't sweat it if your setup isn't a deer magnet right away, our real goal is creating a communication station that will become an integral part of the deer's routine on your property for years and generations to come.  There are so many variables in the woods over the course of a year that effect and change a deer's home range, travel routes and daily patterns. More often than not, the hunter who is patient wins.    3.) Get Creative I know I just told you to be patient but there will be times when the setup just isn't in the right spot, or the species of tree you're using isn't the kind the deer want to use. After putting out thousands of setups we usually have a pretty good idea of where systems should be placed, and we are still finding new ways to make setups even more effective on our personal properties. I put out a Licking Stick this summer and decided to try out a spruce branch for the first time. Well, I can honestly say it has been one of the best Licking Stick setups I have put out to date and spruce (when available) may be at the top of the list for me to use in future systems. That's the thing, we want to give our customers the chance to tailor their setups to the property their hunting. Every property is different, and every setup should be different as well. There isn't a one size fits all approach to anything in hunting and why should creating a scent hub be any different. Don't be afraid to change the location, tree type, height, etc, and try something different. There are so many ways to make a setup unique to your property, experiment and see what results you get.  Overall, we want every customer to find success using our products and we are always here to help our customers who want some advice or direction. Using these 3 tips will hopefully help you alleviate issues before they occur, and every customer will have a more successful approach to using our line of scent communication products.

Don't be SCARED to Experiment After putting up thousands of HODAG setups, I can say one thing for certain...there is no perfect way to do this. No one size fits all approach exists for getting your setup to work. Sure, there is a general direction that we have found great success with, but the greatest thing about hunting is that everyone's property is different, so why wouldn't our setups be different as well.   Some setups can see instant success in a couple hours' time, others can take a week, and sometimes it might take a change of location to get your setup working. Deer are an animal that no one has completely figured out yet and as most hunters know, you will be blue in the face trying to understand them. That is why we leave so much creativity up to the hunter with our products. Deer use every property in a slightly different way, so we like to leave it up to you to decide how to make your setup work the best for your deer. A Licking Stick or Licking Branch on one property might work best when using oak, while the property next door might find the most success using cedar. A HempScent Rope Setup in Wisconsin might work best on deer trails and travel corridors and in the Kansas, success might be found on field edges and food plots. Every setup is different for every customer, and sometimes thinking outside of the box might reward you with better results and a setup that is tailored to your property. We have seen multiple setups explode with interaction after a simple change of tree species or a change of location. An effective setup will become engrained in a deer's routine while on your property so we must try our best as woodsman to replicate to the finest detail what deer are doing naturally within your lot lines. So, the overarching theme to this is that you shouldn't be scared to experiment. The worst thing that could happen is a slow trail camera, but what can be gained is an intimate knowledge about what makes the deer tick on your property and how to achieve the best results using that knowledge with our line of deer scent communication products.

The Right End of a Short Rope This year we released the HODAG HempScent Rope, another product in our line of deer scent communication systems. With this system we decided to leave a lot of creativity to the customer as they decide where and how to hang them, and also how many setups they can achieve with a 6-foot section of rope. However, through experimentation we figured out how little is actually needed to create an effective setup. This summer the staff at HODAG went to our respective properties to setup some of our new product and we decided to try different ways to utilize the ropes. We generally hung two-to-six-foot sections, but we put a couple setups out with spare cuttings from the shop about one foot in length. We were unsure about such a short section after watching bucks run larger sections of rope through their antlers and even chew on it. What we found was that as long as there is enough rope to hold scent the deer will use it one way or another. We got big bucks on small rope, which like all our products emphasizes that bigger isn't always better. This is why we encourage our customers to get creative with our products. There is no "one size fits all" approach to hunting or the products that go with it, so experiment and make your setup fit your property and you'll be surprised with what your find. Shop Now: HODAG Products More Journals: HODAG Blog