Following rub lines ...

[DeerWoods26]

I have a ton of rubs on my property this year. I think they are from smaller bucks because the trees are small (what is it they say? Big bucks rub small and large trees, little bucks only rub small trees?) Anyway, How do you guys go about following a rub line? I've read about this year after year in magazines but can't really ever seem to find a path of rubs. seems they are sporadic and all overthe place coming from all directions. is there something i'm missing here??? would like ot know how you all are able to pattern them

[best]

I've never found any rhyme or reason to rub lines... if I find a spot that is dense with rubs all over, I set up there, because either it's one deer that is coming in and rubbing a lot of trees, or several deer are coming in... either way that's a good place to start. Truth be told, I've only seen maybe 3-5 deer make a rub in my life. I've a few make scrapes, but for the most part I think that's a nocturnal habit. I could be wrong though. Trail camera could solve that for you.

[Wizard]

I've never found any rhyme or reason to rub lines... if I find a spot that is dense with rubs all over, I set up there, because either it's one deer that is coming in and rubbing a lot of trees, or several deer are coming in... either way that's a good place to start.

ditto

I think it is more of bucks just trying to find trees that work for them, not so much as making a conscious, methodical pattern.

[Kevin]

Yeah it's definitely tricky. Deer will make rubs all over the place. I have been lucky enough to witness several do it in the day. Each time I've seen it, it seemed to be sporadic -- meaning they were just kinda walking along, started sniffing a tree, and then went at it. I'm not sure it meant that was their preferred travel route, especially around food sources where they are just kinda hanging out and decide to rub one out (haha, get it?)

However, I do I think there is something to rub lines if you are seeing them in the same areas every year. It can tell you the travel route of the bucks on your property.

For instance, you may want to look at what is on each side of the area you are seeing a high concentration of rubs, especially if it's pretty much year after year. Is there thick cover on one side and a crop field on the other? Good chance that is a popular highway for deer to travel between feeding and bedding.

[Wizard]

they are just kinda hanging out and decide to rub one out (haha, get it?)

That just gave me a great idea for a hunting t-shirt.

[inkorore]

find the scrapes and hunt that area.  you need em both. and that area for sure has bucks regulary. and make sure you arent to close, but close enuff, and have several stand positions  for the diffrent winds we get here...

[TheHuntinHog]

I don't waste my time with little rubs.  Find nice big ones on a good cedar and you are in the right location.  Big bucks usually don't rub this early.  Though I did tag a nice 8 last year that began rubbing around the 10th.  He was young though.  Just had the genes.  I find mature bucks will wait as late as Mid November to really start rubbing for strength.  Until then its just piddling and your won't find much of a pattern... Be patient!