Do y'all generally assume that the side of the tree that the rub is on. Is the direction the deer came from?

I normally do. If there's a rub line and there all on the same side, then yes.

Same for a scrape. Which way did he sling the dirt? He's throwing it behind him..

Yes it’s the direction, up to you to determine wether it’s bed or to feed. Walk it until you find a bunch close together not necessarily in a line and you won’t be far from the bed

Both can be deceptive. I've watched a young buck rub a .line of saplings on a trail while he was walking in a direction. I've also found large blocks of rubs in a cluster, usually next to an ag field. I figure the cluster is where a bachelor group gathers and waits till it's dark enough to enter the field. Usually a big scrape in that area too. I don't think a scrape indicates the direction a deer comes from because he can't come from the rear, there is usually a tree or bush the. They usually stand in the same place due to the location of the licking branch.

Not always.

This as well, goes back to the saying “every buck is different”

No. I've watched multiple bucks come from different directions, and each of them stop to hit the same rub. I think it's like their way of saying, "howdy neighbor, I stopped by while you were out".

I've seen a spike work a small 4in dia. Cedar all the way around one morning its was funny to watch it looked like he sure was mad at that tree the way he was getting after it. Kinda remind me of that story jerry clowerer told about the bulls this 4" spike and the youngest bull had a lot in common

You guys just need to stop and wait on Whild Bills answer.

He'll probably say he puts Louisiana hot sauce on the trees he wants the deer to rub on his 4k acre deer cocaine crop dusted, trophy rock bombed deer sanctuary that he only hunts with a sling shirt with rubber balls for ammo