rub question ??

[sure shot]

with the rubs i found the other day and catmans recent pics of some nice rubs,i was thinking to me makes sense that the side of the rub is the direction the buck was headed,or is this wrong ? also,if you have several good rubs in a row in which direction is the best to set a stand ??

 

[Redfred16]

That's what I was taught.

 

[93civEJ1]

I would think it would depend on if you are planning to see during the morning or evening....depending on if the rubs are facing going to bedding or feeding..what do I know though...I am a noob

 

[BSK]

You will find bucks make two types of rubs, normal travel pattern rubs that are rubbed on the side from which he approaches (and will all line up into a rub-line), and those that mark the outer edges of his range. The rubs along the outer edge of his range will be rubbed on the side facing the center of his range. If you drew them out on a map, the rubbed side would all point "inwards" to his range.

Field-edge rubs generally meaning nothing as they are usually rubbed facing into the field. However, if you find field-edge rubs not facing into the field, you've probably found one of the buck's preferred entry points into the opening.

 

[geezer]

Field-edge rubs generally meaning nothing as they are usually rubbed facing into the field. However, if you find field-edge rubs not facing into the field, you've probably found one of the buck's preferred entry points into the opening. [/quote]
Great point, never really put much thought in to rubs at all other than as a sharpening/velvet remover. Maybe Ill take them a bit more serious from now on.

 

[catman529]

The nice rubs I found were facing different directions. If I went back and looked I could probably find a rub line of travel from a few of them. All the deer trails are kind of webbed so it would make sense that the buck probably just used different travel routes in the same small area so not all rubs are facing one way.

 

[sure shot]

thanks for the info !!

 

[BSK]

Great point, never really put much thought in to rubs at all other than as a sharpening/velvet remover. Maybe Ill take them a bit more serious from now on.

Just remember that rubs have virtually nothing to do with antler "sharpening" or "velvet removal." Bucks don't need to rub to remove velvet, and even if they did that would be one rub made in early September. Rubs are a scent communication device. The point of rubbing is to leave scent from the buck's forehead gland on a visual marker so other deer will interact with that scent. The buck doesn't realize what he is doing; he is just rubbing instinctively (and under the influence of high levels of testosterone).