Rubs and direction of the Buck

[USSHornet]

I am looking at the Tallest Rub I have ever seen (at my chest).

I want to understand the direction this buck was heading and where he came from.

So the rub ...was he facing the tree in the direction of the missing bark? Or like his forehead was against that side?

Thanks

 

[Jtaylor]

He's facing the rub. Hitting it with his brow tines and depositing forehead gland scent. Looks like it's possible he's wide enough another tine hit the adjacent tree. It's a well used rub too judging by the old scarring on the tree which could've been made by him giving you a better idea of age. Some other buck could've made the old rub too.

 

[kyler1945]

He was facing the rub when he made it. That’s all you can discern from a single rub. You can sometimes pick up on a travel direction if you find a rub line.

 

[EricS]

What Kyle said. A on a rub line sometimes you can see several rubs in a line with the rubbed portion all facing back where the deer was coming from. Once you find a direction of travel then you have to figure out if he’s headed to feed or bed. Then he’s easy to kill except for the fact that deer rarely go or do what I expect them to do.

 

[USSHornet]

Thanks Guys, that is what I thought but I wasn't certain ...I did look for a Rub Line but couldn't find one...right behind me was my suspected bed for him ...edge of the ridge and a lot of fallen trees...I did not go in there to try to find the exact spot or scat or whatever...I spent my time trying to figure out access and wind direction tree to hunt him.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Thanks Guys, that is what I thought but I wasn't certain ...I did look for a Rub Line but couldn't find one...right behind me was my suspected bed for him ...edge of the ridge and a lot of fallen trees...I did not go in there to try to find the exact spot or scat or whatever...I spent my time trying to figure out access and wind direction tree to hunt him.

Don't always look for fresh rubs when trying to determine rub lines. I like to find those traditional rub lines... meaning a movement pattern that has existed for several years...even many years. Look for trees that rubs are almost healed over and follow the old ones. They often will lead you to a bunch of fresh ones. Traditional rub lines show movement patterns that have existed for many years and many bucks. A rub line that is smoking hot is nice, but when it coincides with rubs that occur along that line for multiple years is even better. Old rubs and healed over rubs are not always easy to see, but when I find new rubs, I always look for old ones.

 

[kyler1945]

Don't always look for fresh rubs when trying to determine rub lines. I like to find those traditional rub lines... meaning a movement pattern that has existed for several years...even many years. Look for trees that rubs are almost healed over and follow the old ones. They often will lead you to a bunch of fresh ones. Traditional rub lines show movement patterns that have existed for many years and many bucks. A rub line that is smoking hot is nice, but when it coincides with rubs that occur along that line for multiple years is even better. Old rubs and healed over rubs are not always easy to see, but when I find new rubs, I always look for old ones.

I used to get excited about any rub when I first started hunting. Then I figured out how to figure out how old they were. Then I got excited about fresh rubs. Then I learned how many situations a buck might make a rub in, and how little a rub being fresh could mean. Now I started get excited when I find fresh rubs, next to some year old rubs, next to some years old rubs. There’s something useful to be learned about an area that bucks go every year.

 

[USSHornet]

Don't always look for fresh rubs when trying to determine rub lines. I like to find those traditional rub lines... meaning a movement pattern that has existed for several years...even many years. Look for trees that rubs are almost healed over and follow the old ones. They often will lead you to a bunch of fresh ones. Traditional rub lines show movement patterns that have existed for many years and many bucks. A rub line that is smoking hot is nice, but when it coincides with rubs that occur along that line for multiple years is even better. Old rubs and healed over rubs are not always easy to see, but when I find new rubs, I always look for old ones.

Thank you Tom I had not considered that at all. I have seen a lot of older rubs but never even considered using them to find fresh ones. I just assumed a different deer a different time ....

 

[USSHornet]

I used to get excited about any rub when I first started hunting. Then I figured out how to figure out how old they were. Then I got excited about fresh rubs. Then I learned how many situations a buck might make a rub in, and how little a rub being fresh could mean. Now I started get excited when I find fresh rubs, next to some year old rubs, next to some years old rubs. There’s something useful to be learned about an area that bucks go every year.

Thanks guys this is gold...I just started hunting a few years ago and I have to catch up really quickly I am a little older getting started but I love this part...being in the woods scouting but I will admit hitting public land can be a challenge finding deer and sign sometimes. I just hit an area about 4000 acres and barely saw anything then hit this new spot and fresh sign is much easier to find..

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Thank you Tom I had not considered that at all. I have seen a lot of older rubs but never even considered using them to find fresh ones. I just assumed a different deer a different time ....

You are welcome.
When you see sign, you need to ask yourself WHY it is what it is and why its where it is. There is usually a good reason why a buck chose to use a certain route and if one buck did it, then often other ones have too.
Its probably the best reason why the most valuable time to scout is POST SEASON. you can pound the woods and deduce patterns without worry of screwing up the place. In most areas, patterns may adjust from year to year but seldom do they change radically.

 

[USSHornet]

You are welcome.
When you see sign, you need to ask yourself WHY it is what it is and why its where it is. There is usually a good reason why a buck chose to use a certain route and if one buck did it, then often other ones have too.
Its probably the best reason why the most valuable time to scout is POST SEASON. you can pound the woods and deduce patterns without worry of screwing up the place. In most areas, patterns may adjust from year to year but seldom do they change radically.

This was close to an old logging trail and that trail had a lot of active scrapes which I assumed this guy participated in or created himself. I assume scrapes are close to doe bedding or on travel locations of does. I assume rubs are made by bucks to mark their turf for other bucks to stay out of. So I located a tree along that trail but off it a bit close to an active scrape hoping the buck that made that rub is also checking those scrapes.

I hunt hill country exclusively.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

This was close to an old logging trail and that trail had a lot of active scrapes which I assumed this guy participated in or created himself. I assume scrapes are close to doe bedding or on travel locations of does. I assume rubs are made by bucks to mark their turf for other bucks to stay out of. So I located a tree along that trail but off it a bit close to an active scrape hoping the buck that made that rub is also checking those scrapes.

I hunt hill country exclusively.

Lots of rubs are used by multiple bucks.

 

[Silvio]

I am looking at the Tallest Rub I have ever seen (at my chest).

I want to understand the direction this buck was heading and where he came from.

So the rub ...was he facing the tree in the direction of the missing bark? Or like his forehead was against that side?

Thanks

I've had mature bucks hook the tree and rip upwards smell the fresh tree then repeat the same senario over and over again. Close inspection of the rub and where it's being rubbed the slightest can indicate what direction the buck is standing. Try to see where the shavings are and try to determine his track in soft soil...

 

[catman529]

He was facing the rub when he made it. That’s all you can discern from a single rub. You can sometimes pick up on a travel direction if you find a rub line.

Yep, this right here.


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[USSHornet]

Yep, this right here.


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Dude…you are like my favorite youtuber thanks!


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[Anobody]

One thing I try to do is stand at that rub and look I. The direction he is facing most times u can see the next run in the line and u can also use the rubs to determine what one of day he is using that path it the rubs lead to or from the bedding area.