Mid December Elk Rubs/Last half of season

[AKBowman]

Well after scrambling around after finding my spot which is normally covered with Elk late season void of any Elk I salvaged a decent late season. I made two moves about 20 miles apart each time (once to find elk second time was due to extended season in an adjacent unit) and was oonly able to hunt the same area two days in a row. I hunted a total of 6 full days in 3 different locations.

I've been hunting the same 2 square mile area for about 4 years now in the late season and have really been concetrating on a relatively small area trying to learn escape routes, bedding areas, travel patterns, etc. This yr there were no elk in my area so I was able to learn some new land and found an area that had closed gates year round (dont open for rifle) and it was an awesome two days. Unfortunately the season closed on me and the storm hit so I was out there hunting monday and today all day. The bonus was the new area I was hunting was open for anything but a spike so I was excited about possibly running into a bull.

After arriving at this new spot I ran into a couple different areas that had a good amount of Bull sign. I couldnt believe how fresh these rubs were. Ive never seen rubs like this this late in the year, but its only my 4th yr hunting elk so my knowledge is limited. Anyhow I hunted in the general area of these rubs (sitting on trails til the wind changed which seemed like every five minutes and sitting in small cuts or openings) mostly still hunting down ridge lines trying to keep the wind in my favor. I spotted a bull once Monday around 2 in the afternoon cruising in the timber. He was moving away so I am assuming he made my wind somehow.

For the season I was able to loose one arrow which was deflected by brush and a clean miss. I was within 50 yrds 3 or 4 times and within 25 twice but never was able to make it happen. I spent the last 2 days pretty much hutning for one bull and it was a gamble but learned much in the process. I didnt know the area well so the first good area I found with decent sign I hunted real hard.

Id be interested to hear what peoples thoughts are about the fresh rubs. What has been your experience?

[AKBowman]

more from a location about 1/2 mile away.

[BLUEBULLS]

that first one almost looks like they have been eating the bark, which they do quite a bit late in the year.

I always figured maybe they rub post rut just to rub, I see lots of fresh rubs right up until they drop their horns.

Elknut probably has a solid answer.

[MuleyMadness]

Ill be interested too see some answers to this one...I have always wondered as well.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Its impossible to say for sure, but IMO the firs were stripped by a little prick.

[AKBowman]

Its impossible to say for sure, but IMO the firs were stripped by a little prick.

What do you mean? Like a spike or something?

[teanawayslayer]

porcipine

[AKBowman]

porcipine

No, they were elk rubs for sure. I took the $hits eye view pic you can see there. Also there were tracks littered around the tree and scuff marks on the ground, etc.

Still not sure why they would be doing this this late in the season. I even tried bugling really softly a couple times mixed with cow/calf calls just in cade there was some freakishly late cow in the area coming into estrus.

[AKBowman]

First one looks like Bear damage to me. I did watch a Spike work over a tree in late archery this year, when I walk up to the tree it looked like a big bull had worked it over. I was shocked at how big of a rub that spike made. I also have Video of a Bull moose in Spokane during late Muzzle loader this year the weekend after thanksgiving that did a number on a tree for no reason other than he could. and my third, a buddy and I were hunting east side late archery years ago and found a Rub from a good size bull (we were following the Bull) that looked like the ones they make in September there were branches and bark all over the snow..so in closing I have no idea why they rub this time of year but they do.. But I think some of the pictures posted are Bear and Porcupine damage.

You can clearly see where the tines were digging into the tree. Porcupine marks are different and so is bear damage with claw marks. Anyhow doesnt really matter more interested in if a guy would be able to call one in using rut calling techniques.

[MLhunter1]

I ran into the same thing in early december elk huntin.  Got into 2 different rubs that looked just like your pics.  There was a foot of snow on the ground and you could easily see the bark and grindings on top of the snow that fell the day before.  The area was covered with elk track, poop, and beds.  Must have been 30 spots with no snow in a elk like shape all around the rubs.  Also watched a monster 5x5 spar with a small 3x from 100yds 2 weeks before that.  Its not typical rub or spar time but I think they just like to play around.

[chester]

First one looks like Bear damage to me. I did watch a Spike work over a tree in late archery this year, when I walk up to the tree it looked like a big bull had worked it over. I was shocked at how big of a rub that spike made. I also have Video of a Bull moose in Spokane during late Muzzle loader this year the weekend after thanksgiving that did a number on a tree for no reason other than he could. and my third, a buddy and I were hunting east side late archery years ago and found a Rub from a good size bull (we were following the Bull) that looked like the ones they make in September there were branches and bark all over the snow..so in closing I have no idea why they rub this time of year but they do.. But I think some of the pictures posted are Bear and Porcupine damage.

You can clearly see where the tines were digging into the tree. Porcupine marks are different and so is bear damage with claw marks. Anyhow doesnt really matter more interested in if a guy would be able to call one in using rut calling techniques.

To answer your question though. No it would probably not be effective to hunt them with rut techniques.

[Bigfoot]

IMO, those rubs aren't all that fresh.  They do look like they were made this year, but after an antlered animal rubs the bark off of a tree, it does take a little while for the exposed wood to turn red.  I don't know exactly how long it takes, but i've seen rubs in early season and after a couple weeks, they still hadn't turned red.  I have however seen bulls and bucks alike rub during the late season.  I would guess some of the reason for rubbing trees this late in the year is the same reason you sometimes see smaller bucks and bulls sparring late in the year.  They get agitated or restless and just need something to do.   

[Bigshooter]

The first set of pics looks like maybe bear.  And the second set of pics looks old, like september.  And all that elk chit pic does for me is proves that elk do in fact chit in the woods.

[lewy]

They will rub all of the up until they loose there antlers, probably habit. Hunting them as you would in Sept. isnt going to be affective, allthough i have heard elk bugle this time of year as well. The rubs you posted dont look super fresh to me tho