You can't always judge a buck by the size of the rub.
QUESTION: Last hunting season before Christmas, I found some really big rubs between on trees between 4 and 7 inches in diameter. They were in a swampy area in a creek bottom, in standing water and paralleling the edge of the swamp. The rub line seemed like it was a couple hundred yards long. I put up a stand and hunted it several times when the conditions were right, but I never saw a mature buck anywhere close to the rubs.
Is it normal for smaller bucks to rub on trees that size? This land does not get a lot of hunting pressure. I have trail camera pictures of some nice bucks, but I never put a camera down by the rubs to see when and what was making them. I assumed it was a monster buck by the size of the trees. I guess I need to put a camera up in there. Your thoughts? — Ted
ANSWER: I think you’re on the right track. Placing a camera along the rub line is a good first step. If the buck that made the rubs survived, chances are good he’ll be back in the same area this year, particularly if it’s an older deer.
While it has not been scientifically verified, it is generally believed that rubs on larger trees are made by larger bucks. Larger bucks will also rub smaller trees. And smaller bucks may inspect rubs on larger trees, but typically don’t make them.
Timing also could be a factor. The first rubs show up shortly after velvet is shed. Bucks continue to rub through the pre-rut as they build muscle and deposit scent as a means of communication. A line of rubs is often a good indication of a regularly traveled route.
Once the rut kicks in, movement patterns can change, and the frequency of bucks creating and visiting rubs decreases. While a deer might show up any time, I believe the best time to hunt rub lines is early in the fall, typically during bow season. I think your cameras will bear that out.