Author Topic: Are these claw marks or buck rubs? (Read 14432 times)

hunter399 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2014, 07:27:32 PM »

The first two do look like rubs that, pic 3 hard to tell they do look really deep in there, if it was a deer most be something big. but just guessing

kirkthoma · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2014, 08:28:07 PM »

Quote from: REHJWA on February 09, 2014, 11:10:35 PM

Buck. But I would also bet he is not one of those you have on camera. Those in the first two pictures look like they were made by eye guards. Also doubt its elk due to the height of the marks.

Maybe it's this guy on the first two? (See pic below) I can't tell for sure but he seems to have eye guard's. I have a hard time telling the difference between bucks, and have been debating with myself if he's the same deer as the above 3 pt. Been soaking up a lot of info since getting back into hunting last year. I didn't put my camera up until I shot a smallish forky in this area. Then I saw what I should have held out for.

Oh well, my 6 yr old son was with me, and it was nice shooting a buck while still-hunting with him....

kirkthoma · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2014, 08:35:55 PM »

Quote from: hunter399 on February 10, 2014, 07:27:32 PM

The first two do look like rubs that, pic 3 hard to tell they do look really deep in there, if it was a deer most be something big. but just guessing

I agree. They are deep and don't have any side marks like rubs often do. Almost like incisions. That's what got me wondering (and checking my back trail often)

_TONY_ · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2014, 09:55:13 PM »

There's an old skid road in an area that I hunt that has every single tree with marks like that last one.... I'm talking like at least 50+ trees in a couple hundred yards... Almost all of them are to high up to be BT...

UrbanTrapper · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2014, 10:09:17 PM »

Look for the shavings still on the tree. Claw marks can only leave shavings at the bottom of the 'rub' because the animals are always pulling down, but a buck rubs up and down so there could be shavings at the top also. Attached is a picture of a bobcat scratch post.

Brute · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2014, 10:12:01 PM »

Quote from: mtncook on February 09, 2014, 08:18:34 PM

Elk do not have canine teeth or incisors. Both of which are referenced to teeth of the upper.

mtncook

Elk have ivories and will scrape - gouge a tree with them.

ElaphusElatus · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2014, 04:15:00 PM »

kirkthoma - Here are rubs caused by cow and calf elk. I watched them do it. Note all heights, and all the way down to the wood. They get fixated on rubbing, maybe they are just bored. Compare them to yours.

kirkthoma · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2014, 04:56:04 PM »

Very interesting. I would never have guessed those were done by cow/calf. They do look similar to other marks I have seen on trees in that area (that aren't buck rubs). I will look at them a little more next time I check my trail cam.