Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Another Rub/Scrape Line question

This is partly me just thinking through "out loud" but I would like advice or any experience from you guys on a situation like this.


A few weeks ago I found a rub line on a ridge. I was really excited because I've never actually seen "buck sign" so that was a great feeling. There were sporadic rubs here and there, but nothing big and nothing all together. A day later I found an area where there were about 10 rubs all in one area, all on small saplings. Well I hunted that area a few times, trying to stay away of the direct path I think the buck is taking, but I never saw any deer. I set up a camera a little bit off, but didn't expect much, and didn't get anything. I pulled the camera out after hunting one day and left the spot alone.

Today I walked past the same spot at somewhat of a distance, but couldn't help but notice some new rubs. The ones I found before, only a couple were fresh, but the ones I saw today were FRESH. Then I noticed scrapes here and there. All fresh. THEN I noticed a big ol deer sized dry spot in the leaves, where I'm guessing ol boy was bedded.

SO for the question: How would you go about this? I guess seeing the topography of the area would help, but would you just keep hunting it until ya see him? (perfect wind, all that). It seems obvious when I say it out loud, but I don't want to "mess it up" more then I already have by walking around in the area.

As I was reading I was thinking "bedding area", but then you got to that yourself

If you can determine which way he's going, get in there from the other side as early as you can and wait is all I know

I wouldnt waste alot of time hunting it. hunt the does... thats where he will be

I'd hunt it every time I got the chance. If you find a "hot" area, you better hunt it while it's that way. It'll change most of the time whether from human pressure or just changing of rut, food sources, etc.
I won't hunt spots because of "a" scrape or rub, but a cluster of big rubs and scrapes gets me going.

One thing I learned a long time ago, a 70lb spike is just as likely to make a rub line like that as is a 175lb 10point. I'm not discouraging you from hunting it but dont assume it's a bruiser because of size or the number of rubs.

Only thing I ever thought "might" give me an idea of what made it was if there were marks on a bush or tree behind the rub tree, indicating tine length.

What Justin said. Also once you think you have him patterned get there early to get set up. Walk in slowly and be as quiet as possible. He's probably out chasing all night and will possibly come back to that area to check scrapes some time after daylight. Good luck and have fun. It's very exciting trying to out smart a buck.

I just popped a 162 lb, six point this eve. Found a scrape line on a ridge with lots of well-worn trails about 150 yards from where I had been hunting. I set up on the trail this morn with a pop up. It was a tight set up. I could only see about 20 yards to my left or right. You have to be ready. He came in right at 5 pm from my 8 o'clock and started working the scrapes. Busted him when he got to my 9 o'clock.

Hunt above sign like that,,,assume he moves to that area and makes that sign at night. Are the woods fairley open with white oaks?

The only thing You know is that there is a buck in there, now you got to see how big he is.

The only time I've ever had luck hunting rubs or scrapes is when the deer have a reason to be going through there. I.e a travel route.

First rack buck I ever killed was in a spot with rubs. A thicket butted up against big hardwoods. The rubs were on the edge. I was putting up a lock-on and I could hear deer coming the whole time I was putting it up. My rear hit the seat and I saw em coming. A doe and a buck. They were just a little late getting to the bedding area. I think your chances of catching him are a little better if it's thick but you never know.

Usually rub lines or lots of rubs are indicative of a staging area where he waits till dark to enter a field or open area. Most of the time the rubs are all on the same side of the trees showing which direction he is traveling from.

The line are all on one side of the trees, but the area with a lot are all on different sides.

I'm thinking about hiking my climber in there today and leaving it so I can get there quicker and quieter in the mornings. Thoughts?


It is pretty open hardwoods on the slope I'm on, and the bottom is definitely open. However there are patches of "thickish" stuff here and there. The top of the mountain is someone elses land and they have a huge field, but I don't think it is planted with anything ; just have cattle there. I don't know if that is still a food source or not, but I don't think that is the main source of food for the deer because I never see them going that way.

Id hunt it . Now all you need is some rub line slime

And don't forget to make your mock scrapes too.

I'd hunt it and hunt it hard.. All day if possible. He's traveling that route for a reason and hopefully you'll catch him in daylight traveling or checking scrapes. You just never know, but one thing you do know, he's in the area!

This time of year buck sign gets stale really fast so don't fall in love with it and the spot. When I first started hunting just a few years ago I found the most bucks sign I had ever seen and much like you, I was pumped. I camped out in that spot for weeks and never saw a deer.

I knew a fella one time that would make mock scrapes and rubs (usually behind camp) just for newbie hunters. Even had older hunters falling for it and hunting those spots for weeks.

The camera studies i saw showed most activity around rubs were at night.

Climb high, hunt long, still a game of chance. Might get him, might not. At least you know its on his normal travel route.