Question about rubs

[BowtechTurkeyHunter]

Ok this is probably a question that cant be answered witha simple answer but I was wondering about all the rubs we are seeing on the property... along the back side of the property along the CRP grass there is a very well used trail and all along this trail there are saplings that are rubbed little ones like less then an inch then about half way down the field there is like these 2 and 3 inch trees with rubs on them is there like a reason for this is there probably more then one buck back there and there just staking out there territory I know the size of the tree does not dictate the size of the buck but this seems very strange too me also there arent as many scrapes either .... but so far this year we have seen at least 6 different bucks on the property and just from early scouting and from what we can tell the buck too doe ratio is like 4 or 5 too 1 .... in the middle of the property we have trees that are like 5 to 6 inches around that are just tore up I mean I know why deer do this but seems like they are overlapping some or just trying too stakeout there territory before the full rut ... any input into this would be great I want too know as much abou this as I can learn ... Ive always wondered about this activity .... thanks guys any info would be great

PS if this is in the wrong place please move too the right place...

BTW this morning going into the field I was spotting the ditches going in like I always do and we seen a huge 14 point with split g2's on both side very typical buck probably will go 180to 190 this is the second time we have seen this buck once on our property and once next too our property .... would be awesome too have a the taxidermist score that sucker out ... lol after all its the only reason I would shoot it .... just too see what it scored .... yeah right .....

[puffy]

Re: Question about rubs

The number of bucks in your area is agood indicator that they've allbeen polishing their fencing gear for the upcoming tounament of testosterone. The scrapes won't probably start showing up unless the bucks are ready to establish their own territory. That ratio of bucks to does is about to fall considerably. Chances are the rut in your area is slow this year. If you see young bucks hanging out with any decent racked fellas and they only spar a little or aren't chasing the little guys your in pre rut still. Check some old scrape areas and make a few fresh mock scrapes to see whats up.

Hope this helps and I don't sound like I'm preaching.

..............................Hunt Smart-Eat Well

[BowtechTurkeyHunter]

Re: Question about rubs

I guess my real question is do you all think that the same deerr would rip up a sappling as would rip up a 5 inch tree and visa versa .... what makes a deer picka 1 inch tree versus a 5 inch tree how can you tell other then put up about 15 trail cams lol which I dont have btw

[puffy]

Re: Question about rubs

I've found rub lines that have been made by big bucks that have rubbed both small sapplings and fence posts on the same line. So I believe that a buck establishes a line in an area no matter what the size, as long as he keeps working that area.They sometimes have several small rubs and a select few larger ones like the fence post I mentioned. One area I hunt in has this fence post that gets used every year and its about wore through. You can only guess at how big he is unless you can find tracks to back it up or maybe make some mock scrapes and see what kind of tracks are left in them.

.........................Hunt Smart-Eat Well

[VTbowman]

Re: Question about rubs

Well you are correct in saying a tree size does not dictate a bucks antler size.

I have literally seen sapplings being rubbed by big deer and 6" tree being rubbed by spikes.

I have a theory, and its just that, not fact, or even stuff Ive read and am regurgitating.

I believe even rubbing goes threw a sort of process. In the beginning its more to just get that itchy velvet off so any tree will do, but they still select trees in rub lines in the same areas year after year. Just by habit and feeling safe.

Then as the fall goes on, they rub for neck strenthening and aggression. Then that esculates into deposites of scent and marking territory.

Normally later in the fall, but prior to the rut. The bigger deer are the ones doing all the damage.

The lesser bucks have been pushed off by then.

Like I said its just my bit of theroy but sounds logical to me by stuff I've read and things I've seen with my own 2 eyes.

JMO

[VTbowman]

Re: Question about rubs

However I would also like to say that if you find a tree thats 12" or bigger. Chances are it only being hit by a mature large racked deer.

Just by logic, a small racked deer could not fit around a tree that size.

Also, since your seeing a very large racked deer, chances are he is the one who is tending these trees now. Especially if you say it looks as if the area are overlapping each other.

Hes marking everything to drive the others out.

Again JMO, but that how I would read it.

Good Luck!

[SaskMan]

Re: Question about rubs

Rub lines truly do confuse me. There is one very near to my house, it's a scrape line too, there are many rubs and scrapes and the rubs, like you mentioned are on trees of all sizes. I like to snoop closely at the rubs, are they gouged deeply not just smooth? Are the adjacent rees to the one rubbed victims of some scraping and obvious tine gouges. If I find rubs that are worked deeply and the trees more than a foot away are gouged up as well with obvious tine marks, I assume it's a big buck. That is an assumption and I may be miles from the truth. I don't hunt the rublines anyways b/c I feel once the rut kicks in they become sporadic at best.