How to Hunt Rubs

[Ghunt]

As you may have aw my post earlier, I found fresh rubs in an area. Problem is that its my first year hunting and I don't know how to hunt them. Do the bucks usse rubs as a travel lane or do they rub and leave? How would you guys go about hunting rubs?

[JakeLand]

Pm sent

[AKBowman]

If they are big and fresh (sounds like they are fresh) than I've found that they might check them during the day.

[AKBowman]

I also hunt with archery over stands mostly in timber. I'm sure Jakeland would be a much better reference for you than myself.

Good luck! 

[BGLEMIN]

If they are big and fresh (sounds like they are fresh) than I've found that they might check them during the day.

Too cool, the same buck might rub that same tree year after year.

[AKBowman]

Definitely possible. I didn't see the really big buck in the second picture last year and only saw the buck in the first picture once last year (on cam). Neither one has been back this yr but a very LARGE 3 pt with eye guards has been making the rds.

Of course a spike that would have scored less than 3" P&Y strolled past and gave me a perfect broadside today at noon. I would've taken any buck but him 

[AKBowman]

Same spot different angle from this yr. I've got a couple of day pics but mostly night pics so far. At least they are visiting the area again.

If you have a trail camera you should put one up on your rubs and you may be able to get a better idea of how many bucks and what time they are visiting your rub line.

[Ghunt]

Same spot different angle from this yr. I've got a couple of day pics but mostly night pics so far. At least they are visiting the area again.

If you have a trail camera you should put one up on your rubs and you may be able to get a better idea of how many bucks and what time they are visiting your rub line.

Yeah I have two cameras set up on 2 different rub lines

[JDHasty]

They should really start making the rounds on their rub lines about now. 

[irish52084]

If the ribs are fresh, then I would set up nearby and get to rattling and grunting to see if I can get buck to respond looking for a fight. I've used this tactic with consistent success. One year we found a dominant buck who just tore up this hillside, at some points he'd only go 20 yards before he'd scrape or rub. He was the most aggressive marker of territory I've ever seen. We called him into shooting range 3 times but never could get him. The last time we called him in he pushed a smaller buck out in front several times on his way to investigate.

[Ghunt]

If the ribs are fresh, then I would set up nearby and get to rattling and grunting to see if I can get buck to respond looking for a fight. I've used this tactic with consistent success. One year we found a dominant buck who just tore up this hillside, at some points he'd only go 20 yards before he'd scrape or rub. He was the most aggressive marker of territory I've ever seen. We called him into shooting range 3 times but never could get him. The last time we called him in he pushed a smaller buck out in front several times on his way to investigate.

Yeah I found 2 different lines within about 500 yards of each other and there's at least a rub every 20 yards.

[JDHasty]

If the ribs are fresh, then I would set up nearby and get to rattling and grunting to see if I can get buck to respond looking for a fight. I've used this tactic with consistent success. One year we found a dominant buck who just tore up this hillside, at some points he'd only go 20 yards before he'd scrape or rub. He was the most aggressive marker of territory I've ever seen. We called him into shooting range 3 times but never could get him. The last time we called him in he pushed a smaller buck out in front several times on his way to investigate.

Yeah I found 2 different lines within about 500 yards of each other and there's at least a rub every 20 yards.

If you can set up on the trail leading from one rub tree to the next and catch them slowly moving in to check the next one... but they will be extra alert and you have to not be detected.  The plus is they are looking, smelling and listening for other deer and if you are up a tree... 

[kodiak 907]

Drag an estrus soaked pad along the rub line the day before or the morning of when you plan to hunt it. Set up where you can see at least 50 yards down the line, wind in your favor and sit all day. He'll show up.

[Ghunt]

Drag an estrus soaked pad along the rub line the day before or the morning of when you plan to hunt it. Set up where you can see at least 50 yards down the line, wind in your favor and sit all day. He'll show up.

I would totally do that but I don't have any of that and tomorrow is the last day for me.

[kodiak 907]

Then sit on it from dawn until dusk. Be patient and stay alert. Those big bucks seem to appear out of thin air when you least expect it.