Rubs

[Jammintree]

 

[woodsdog2]

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I don’t know what’s more awesome looking, the giant rub or the Woodman Arms ML leaning up against it!!! Man I’d like to see the monster that made that rub!!

 

[woodsdog2]

This was the largest one I came across this past season.

 

[Jammintree]

I don’t know what’s more awesome looking, the giant rub or the Woodman Arms ML leaning up against it!!! Man I’d like to see the monster that made that rub!!

And here he is:

 

[Jammintree]

I suppose for the sake of this conversation I should elaborate…. So this buck was presumably making all kinds of rubs, some that were very generic and others (like the one shown above) that had what I considered to be a signature. His double brow tines make unique markings on larger trees. I spent several weeks searching for his signature rubs, which illuminated a loop about 4 miles long that he appeared to be using to scent check for does in estrus. Late season when we got some snow I then knew where to find his track, which led me right to him. His rubs were the key to locating him, though where I shot him was no where near any of his signature rubs.

 

[Anobody]

I suppose for the sake of this conversation I should elaborate…. So this buck was presumably making all kinds of rubs, some that were very generic and others (like the one shown above) that had what I considered to be a signature. His double brow tines make unique markings on larger trees. I spent several weeks searching for his signature rubs, which illuminated a loop about 4 miles long that he appeared to be using to scent check for does in estrus. Late season when we got some snow I then knew where to find his track, which led me right to him. His rubs were the key to locating him, though where I shot him was no where near any of his signature rubs.

Now this is awesome Well done

 

[Plebe]

From what I have learned from the professionals, not just hunting legends but also deer biologists, it has nothing to do with saying this is my territory. It’s mostly for communication. They leave their scent and say, Johnny Big Tines WAS HERE! If bucks were territorial they would fight all year long. I believe some of it is letting out aggression and sometimes it my be boredom as well.

They can't fight all year, in the typical fashion, due to shedding and regrowing antlers.

But fighting amongst bucks largely correlates to testosterone. When it's low, we often see that bucks actually group up (bachelor groups). When testosterone levels increase, they relate differently with each other.

In the swing of the rut, some bucks will absolutely try to dominate a territory. When all the little bucks disappear where I hunt, it's a good sign there's a big buck spending time in the area.

From the time bucks are ready to shed velvet until they drop antlers, bucks rub. In fact shedding velvet and dropping antlers are two reasons for bucks rubbing. But there are many reasons, and signing territory is one.

 

[Jammintree]

They can't fight all year, in the typical fashion, due to shedding and regrowing antlers.

But fighting amongst bucks largely correlates to testosterone. When it's low, we often see that bucks actually group up (bachelor groups). When testosterone levels increase, they relate differently with each other.

In the swing of the rut, some bucks will absolutely try to dominate a territory. When all the little bucks disappear where I hunt, it's a good sign there's a big buck spending time in the area.

From the time bucks are ready to shed velvet until they drop antlers, bucks rub. In fact shedding velvet and dropping antlers are two reasons for bucks rubbing. But there are many reasons, and signing territory is one.



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You’re always good for providing solid data!

 

[cville_bowhunter]

I have a new theory on rubs. The OG’s say rubs are used by bucks to mark their territory and show dominance to other bucks to stay out.

I disagree (newbie no clue guy) I think rubs are used by bucks around scrapes to let the doe’s know where to find them.

I have seen rubs close by scrapes and I have followed those rubs. I think a buck creates a rub line to help the does who come by the scrapes to find that buck not necessarily a track to his bed but close by.

I don’t think it has anything to do with showing dominance and scaring off other bucks.


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Just curious, how did you come up with this theory? I've also seen scrapes next to rubs, but I've also seen them totally isolated from one another

 

[USSHornet]

Just curious, how did you come up with this theory? I've also seen scrapes next to rubs, but I've also seen them totally isolated from one another

Out scouting and seeing that rubs are sometimes in a line of sight. Like you find one and look ahead or behind where you at and might see another one and so on.

And I don’t like to take existing ideas as gospel.

It just makes sense to me that a buck checks community scrapes for does that have been there why not tell them how to find you?


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[GCTerpfan]

Out scouting and seeing that rubs are sometimes in a line of sight. Like you find one and look ahead or behind where you at and might see another one and so on.

And I don’t like to take existing ideas as gospel.

It just makes sense to me that a buck checks community scrapes for does that have been there why not tell them how to find you?


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I like the out of the box thinking but, that would be the equivalent of walking into a bar and posting your address on the wall. Then walking out thinking “every woman that comes in here now knows where to find me”. I’m guessing it would work for the buck about as well as it would for the dude in the bar.

 

[USSHornet]

I like the out of the box thinking but, that would be the equivalent of walking into a bar and posting your address on the wall. Then walking out thinking “every woman that comes in here now knows where to find me”. I’m guessing it would work for the buck about as well as it would for the dude in the bar.

Good point lol


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