As a matter of fact, several of the older bucks that I've hunted in the past preferred to work on clusters of small trees or twist off single saplings more often than they rubbed large trees. If the tree is mangled, and especially if it is twisted off at ground level, you can bet that a mature buck did the damage. Oftentimes, the amount of damage done to the tree indicates the size of the buck responsible. Large bucks will also engage in mock combat with small trees. If a large rub shows sign of repeated use, it's always a good idea to put a trail camera on it before you set a stand nearby. Therefore, just about any rub you find could be made by a buck 3 1/2 or older. But obviously bucks 3 1/2 years old and older are prone to rub larger trees. I believe mature bucks are apt to rub trees of all sizes, both large and small. Two of the bucks did not appear to be over 3 1/2 years old. But not one of those bucks scored higher than the mid-150s. During the seven-day period that he had his camera set up to view the pole, six different bucks rubbed it. This was definitely a scent-communication rub. Of course, visions of monster Boone and Crockett bucks always enter our minds when we find such sign. Last season, my good friend Kevin Boyer from Century, Illinois, placed a trail camera on a telephone pole that had been ripped up. The reason I believe that young bucks rub big trees is that these rubs also serve as scent-communication rubs (more on this subject in Part 2).Ĭan we carry rub size far enough to say that a rub the size of a man's upper thigh is made by a really big buck? Not necessarily. When you find a rub on a tree that big you can bet that it was made by an older-age-class buck. The spike was not the original maker of this rub. However, he only hit it two or three times and did little or no additional damage to the tree. I once watched a spike rub a tree that was the size of my calf. I have occasionally seen small bucks rub big trees. Young bucks do not make a lot of rubs unless older bucks (3 1/2 years old or older) are noticeably missing from the area. If the rub is the size of a person's finger and the tree is only barely skinned up, the rub was probably made by a 1 1/2- or 2 1/2-year-old buck. Even during the peak of the rut, mature bucks still make quite a few rubs.Īs is commonly believed, the size of the rub has a lot to do with the size and maturity of its maker. Rubbing actively will increase weekly until breeding begins. However, as a buck's hormone level rises, rubbing intensifies. Their bodies are flowing with testosterone, and when you combine this hormone with aggressive rubbing, you'll get the same results as a bodybuilder using steroids while working out with weights.Ĭommon rubs appear anytime in the fall after velvet shedding has taken place. I believe this is one of the main reasons a buck develops large neck and shoulder muscles during the fall. This action reminds me very much of a boxer using the heavy bag to build his strength, power and stamina. Many times during such endeavors, a buck can be heard groaning and grunting.Ī buck may spend 20 seconds working the tree over or he may spend 20 minutes. Bucks will often work themselves into a frenzy as they rake their horns up and down the tree while ripping the bark off. I have seen mature bucks brace their bodies and throw all their weight into larger saplings with such force that a person could hear the sounds 75 yards away. I have also witnessed other types of mock combats in which bucks engaged saplings. He was no doubt preparing himself for dominance bouts with other bucks. It appeared to me he was working on his speed and agility. He was not using body strength or weight to push against the sapling like we commonly see in other rubs. This buck would throw his rack into the sapling and vigorously shake it back and forth. And although I don't like to associate human characteristics with deer, this show reminded me very much of a boxer hitting a speed bag as he trained for a fight. I once stood in amazement as I watched a fully mature buck engage in mock combat with a poor, defenseless sapling.
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