Scrapes and Rubs
#11
RE: Scrapes and Rubs
Question: I found a fallen tree over a small creek whose bark was absolutely shredded. It was a good sized tree. However, I did not find any more rubs in the area. The ground was so covered with leaves and it was very soft and wet, so I couldn't see any tracks (or the direction of travel of the deer). It is a long time before the rut here in South Alabama, so, is this rub evidence of a big buck shedding velvet? Where should I set up in relation to the rub (facing it or behind it)? The area is just off a food plot in a bottom and the rub is on the side closest to the plot, so can I assume the deer was traveling away from the plot? The ground rises on both sides of the bottom, so was the buck traveling to high cover away from the plot in the morning? There is an oak ridge above the bottom on the side away from the plot. There is heavy brush in the area, not much room to shoot without hitting something.
#14
RE: Scrapes and Rubs
Could it be that you have too many does, and not much pressure for the bucks to fight over mating rights? I read somewhere that in my area, we have way too many does and because of this there is less competition for mating partners, so bucks don't display as much competitive behavior, in areas where the buck/doe ratio is closer to 1:1, then the rubbing and scraping activity is much more pronounced, and the length of peak rut is more compact. Our peak rut is late and lasts a long time. We typically see small, spotted fawns during Oct/Nov and the rut lasts into Feb after season ends. I am by no means an expert, but I read a lot. Check out the Mississippi State web site, they do a lot of deer research and publish their findings on the web.
#15
RE: Scrapes and Rubs
When numbers are closer to each other.. bucks to does.. competition for those does is high. We all know this.. nothing new.
Bucks travel great distances to check doe family groups.. laying down scrapes to show the ladies who he is.. and they continue to lay them down all over. And check them often for the first hot does. Picture lots of bucks doing this.. all over.. and imagine the sign thats laid down.
When does outnumber bucks alot.. bucks don't have to go very far. They'll stick close to bedding and walk MUCH shorter distances. In fact.. they travel substantially less.. only putting scrapes nearby with the local ladies.
No reason to go far.
I could go on.. but you get the point.
You likely have far too many does around compared with the breeding stock bucks. They don't have to put down much sign.. no reason too.
As far as rubs. Well.. the bigger deer can hang back.. have smaller homeranges.. core areas ETC.. all because the high doe pop. So rubs exist somewhere.. but again closer to bed of the bucks.
All this.. in a nutshell.
I hunt all over.. I've seen this many times.
Bucks travel great distances to check doe family groups.. laying down scrapes to show the ladies who he is.. and they continue to lay them down all over. And check them often for the first hot does. Picture lots of bucks doing this.. all over.. and imagine the sign thats laid down.
When does outnumber bucks alot.. bucks don't have to go very far. They'll stick close to bedding and walk MUCH shorter distances. In fact.. they travel substantially less.. only putting scrapes nearby with the local ladies.
No reason to go far.
I could go on.. but you get the point.
You likely have far too many does around compared with the breeding stock bucks. They don't have to put down much sign.. no reason too.
As far as rubs. Well.. the bigger deer can hang back.. have smaller homeranges.. core areas ETC.. all because the high doe pop. So rubs exist somewhere.. but again closer to bed of the bucks.
All this.. in a nutshell.
I hunt all over.. I've seen this many times.
#18
Typical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location:
Posts: 751
RE: Scrapes and Rubs
Here's my theory, and strictly theory it is...
I know I dont scout as much as I used to. I used to not care where I went when I was younger and would scout every nook and cranny. Now I have a good idea of what's there and typically don't go into places I used to not go (bedding areas) and just leave em be. Looking back, I remember a lot of close gathered rubs, but had no idea what a 'core area' was or that hmmm this may be his bedroom. So now I dont see as many as I did because I try to stay out of areas that Im not going to hunt.
I know I dont scout as much as I used to. I used to not care where I went when I was younger and would scout every nook and cranny. Now I have a good idea of what's there and typically don't go into places I used to not go (bedding areas) and just leave em be. Looking back, I remember a lot of close gathered rubs, but had no idea what a 'core area' was or that hmmm this may be his bedroom. So now I dont see as many as I did because I try to stay out of areas that Im not going to hunt.
#19
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 26,274
RE: Scrapes and Rubs
I can only guess that the deer are choosing different routs. My land has seen the opposite. I have been seeing more rubs and scrapes every year. I think my situation is due to the outfitters not w horeing off the land next to me. In years past, an outfitter was bringing hunters in every day of the week and shooting anything that moved. It got so bad, Icould go most of the season and only see one or two deer. I went a few seasons with out shooting a buck. Once the land owner sold the property, and the outfitter was gone, I started seeing many more deer.
#20
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 26,274
RE: Scrapes and Rubs
Oh yea, another idea about your problem:
What is your buck to doe ratio? If you have a lot of does, there is little need for a buck to advertise as much.
What is your buck to doe ratio? If you have a lot of does, there is little need for a buck to advertise as much.