rubs indicate size of deer
03-01-2003, 10:05 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NW Montana / SW Alberta Rockies
Posts: 3,258
RE: rubs indicate size of deer
If I come across a rub in the bush and its raked raw as high as I am and its on a 4-6 inch tree, hmmmmmmmmmm.... yes that is a nice one, but if you happen upon a small rub, this does not necessary mean that it is a small buck... 
03-01-2003, 10:43 PM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
RE: rubs indicate size of deer
The size of the rub does not necessarily indicate the size of a deer. Sometimes a large deer will make a small rub and vece-versa. The only way to know for sure is to see the deer making it or maybe see large tracks under the tree.
03-01-2003, 11:34 PM
#5
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 6,921
RE: rubs indicate size of deer
Yes I believe you can get a gauge by a rub. I look at size, reach(height), rap around(see if he is getting on the sides as well as the face), gouges and a pronounced rubline. The most important one is the pronounced rubline. I want to make sure he is routinely coming through the area to hit his rubs. Once I have found his rubline I look at the all other factors. Such as: height, quality, loaction, where he is going and coming from, etc.
Theories abound on this subject, but the 100% way is to catch him on film or by eye. That is why game cameras are so hot.
Theories abound on this subject, but the 100% way is to catch him on film or by eye. That is why game cameras are so hot.
03-04-2003, 08:32 AM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: rubs indicate size of deer
Yes, to some extent I think it does. I have never seen a small buck rub a large tree though I have seen several large bucks rub some small ones.
If that helps any...
If that helps any...
03-04-2003, 08:50 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Adirondack Moutains USA Member since sept/02
Posts: 1,639
RE: rubs indicate size of deer
I agree with Skeeter 7mm for the most part if the rub were higher etc... then that might tell somewhat about the deer. I would not use the rub as a fact that the deer is bigger though. I' ve seen some 4 pointers rub the crap out of a tree you would of thought a 12 point had been there. Depending on how many other deer are around, and on how pumped up they are is how big there rub will be.
03-06-2003, 09:44 AM
#10
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Darien, IL
Posts: 6,744
RE: rubs indicate size of deer
Any buck, big or small, can make any rub, big or small. If you find a huge rub, was it made by a spike there often and for long periods of time, or a really big, brute 12 pointer just doin his thing? If you find a small rub, was it a smaller buck there for 15 minutes, or a really big, brute 12 pointer there for 2 minutes.
As mature deer don' t have alot of height difference, the height of a rub isn' t a good factor to figure with either. Know what I mean? There aren' t deer who are suited for say basketball, and others who are canidates for dwarf tossing.
There is no way to really tell!
If you really want to know the size (not necessarily points) of the deer who is rubbing these trees - find a track! Big deer have big tracks. Little deer have little tracks.
Uncle Matt (in Illinois)
As mature deer don' t have alot of height difference, the height of a rub isn' t a good factor to figure with either. Know what I mean? There aren' t deer who are suited for say basketball, and others who are canidates for dwarf tossing.
There is no way to really tell!
If you really want to know the size (not necessarily points) of the deer who is rubbing these trees - find a track! Big deer have big tracks. Little deer have little tracks.
Uncle Matt (in Illinois)