Buck rubs are signs of changing times when it comes to the white-tailed deer. We love to see these signposts popping up across the deer woods we’re hunting. But what role should they play in a hunter’s tactics? Is hunting a rubline an effective strategy for punching your buck tag?
We reached out to several hunters to answer the question of whether hunting rublines is overrated, or underrated. Here’s a look at what they had to say.
Terry Rohm has been chasing deer for longer than many of us have been alive. He knows the game really well. He believes hunting rublines is underrated, but admits he feels like rublines become less important as the rut rolls into play.
“Rubs can tell you a direction of travel for the buck,” says Rohm. “He typically rubs it in the direction he is traveling. It can tell you travel direction and routes to and from food sources to bedding.”
“Like scrapes, rubs are a signpost marking,” says Terry Rohm. “They are a visual communication for other deer in the area.”
For many hunters, rubs are simply the sign that bucks are in the area, helping you narrow down your search. Greg Godfrey, of Tethrd, says he feels hunting rublines is overrated.
“I think they are overrated,” says Godfrey. “I’ve never killed a buck coming to a rub or scrape, but they are a good indicator of what might be in the area, as well as a great place to hang a trail camera.”
Outdoor writer, Tony Peterson, doesn’t put a lot of stock in hunting over rublines, but admits they are a nice confirmation of spots he’s already interested in hunting. It’s another piece of the puzzle coming together in his search for clues for where deer are hanging out.
“I honestly like a concentration of rubs in an area that show deer are hanging out, more than a specific rubline,” says Peterson.
What you can learn from rublines is how deer tend to move about your property. Jordan Blissett, of Primos, says most hunters underestimate what you can learn from a rubline.
“Rublines can help you better understand travel routes and identify travel conjunctions,” says Blissett. “Pay attention to these rub patterns and you’ll see how deer move through the property you’re hunting.”
The bottom line, don’t get too carried away with a rubline. Yes, it’s a sign of deer in the area, but it’s not likely to be the sacred ground to where you want to hang your stand for the rest of the season.
Use common sense. Learn the difference between historical rubs (signpost rubs that get hammered year after year), and a small sapling that got worked over one time by a frisky buck on the first cool morning of the season.
Learn the difference in fresh rubs and the old ones made back when bucks were stripping velvet.
The biggest thing, don’t overthink it. Take a rub for what it is, and don’t overanalyze it when you find a random rub in the timber.
