scrapes and rubs

[ryanl01]

Just wondering if Scrapes are made by the Dominant bucks in the area. And If they are, will large bucks, say 8 points or better make rubs on small trees instead of large ones.

I was moving one of my tree stands last night and found a good sized scrape and also some rubs on some smaller trees. Last week I saw a 8 and 10 point sparring off in the same spot. Seemed a little weird for a 8 or 10 to rub such a small tree. Hopefully I'll get one of them tonight.

[ryanl01]

any ideas

[wildcoy73]

large deer will rub small trees and big trees the best indication if he is rubing in a clump of small trees than you can see if he is hitting the other trees. i took a nice 8 point last year and watch him rubbing on a small tree maybe an inch in diameter. i look for the core area to set up in the area should have 20 or more rubs in a 200 yard area than when i find that spot i set up just outside it, and let the fun begin since i started doing that i must have increase my buck sightings by 900% and most of these are 8 or better last year i was watching 10 diffrent buck the year before was 15 and the first year i hunted this area i was watching about 15. for some reason this area is out of wack i see more bucks than does but if i go a mile down the road i see nothing but does. so i have not figured the reason for this but i do keep the spot a secret for it is public land

[ryanl01]

I saw at least 5 different rubs around the scrape. And I also have the same problem, more bucks then does.lol. I have seen at least 8 different bucks , but have only seen 5 does. lots of deer though on the prop. Farmer next door started to cut his soy beans. hopefully that will push more deer my way. We dont cut the corn until november..

[QDMAMAN]

Just wondering if Scrapes are made by the Dominant bucks in the area. And If they are, will large bucks, say 8 points or better make rubs on small trees instead of large ones.

I was moving one of my tree stands last night and found a good sized scrape and also some rubs on some smaller trees. Last week I saw a 8 and 10 point sparring off in the same spot. Seemed a little weird for a 8 or 10 to rub such a small tree. Hopefully I'll get one of them tonight.


ryanl01,
The rule of thumb that I use, and many experts in the field, is that any buck will rub a small tree but only a large/older buck will rub a large tree. I have seen first rack bucks rub an established large rub but never with the ferver that it takes to tear it up, it's usually to leave sent or release a little frustration.
Scrapes are made and used by bucks and does alike but usually a large scrape was made by a dominant buck in the area and will be visited, and possibly used, by most deer in the area.
One thing is for sure, you have found a spot frequented by bucks so good luck.:)

Big T

[Whit1]

Rarely does a yearling buck (a buck that is between 1 & 2 years old just for clarification....:lol:) make a scrape in September or October. These are made by bucks that are at least 2.5 years old.
John Ozoga Whitetail Intrigue

[Mightymouse]

ryanl01,
The rule of thumb that I use, and many experts in the field, is that any buck will rub a small tree but only a large/older buck will rub a large tree.


That is my take on it as well. Any rack can fit around a small sappling, be it a fork or a 10pt. But not every deer can get it's rack on, and tear up, a tree that I can't get my hands around. I have also found smaller trees that were broken in half while being rubbed. I took that to mean something other than a frustrated yearling was working that tree.

When I see a few tree's rubbed up in an area I take a mental note of it and check the area out a bit to see if there is a definite rub line through the area. Try to find a reason that the bucks are in that particular area and using that particular travel route.

Seeing little trees rubbed up is cool and it is a good sign to see for sure, but finding a good sized tree just shredded up gets the blood pumping a bit!!