Dan's Question of the Week: Rubs & Scrapes

[Dan Schmidt]

I know these tactics vary based on region, but tell me which you prefer to hunt: rub lines or scrape lines (or, where lacking, one primary scrape). Which have you found most successful?

[bowboxer]

i live in south east and i find hunting rubs will give you more deer siting.i have tried scapes but not one deer have i seen.maybe i not hunting them right time or something.

[JPH]

Most of my stand locations are governed by terrain features, but I get more excited by scrapes than rubs.

[gunther89]

I hunted a rub line last year and saw 2 different mature bucks in that spot.  I've hunted over a couple of scrapes before and have never had much success in seeing deer.  My adrenaline gets going when I find a huge rub shredded to pieces.

[Relentless]

I am with JPH.  I focus more on funnels than rubs or scrapes.  However, I have one tree that I call the "killing' tree and it is a great funnel surrounded by telephone pole size rubs and major scrapes.  If I had to hunt only a rubline or scrapes I think I would have to base it off the size of the trees being rubbed.  If the rubs were at least 3-4" in diameter I would hunt the rub line. 

[Goose]

I also agree with hunting the landscape. If I had to choose, I would hunt a rub-line over a scrape. I have had more luck sitting by a rub or rub-line than sitting over a scrape or a scrape-line with older deer.
It seems as though the more I hunt and pay attention to the landscape, rubs and scrapes become less important.

[Dan Salmon]

Another vote for landscape vs. rub lines or scrapes.  However, I will say when you do find the right terrain layout and there is a rub line and some scrapes in the same area, then you should have a real hot spot!

[scottflesher]

I agree with the terrain comment. I also try to hunt wooded food sources such as white oaks for the acorn harvest. Mainly trails and funnels rather than rubs or scrapes.

[Woods Walker]

ORIGINAL: JPH

Most of my stand locations are governed by terrain features, but I get more excited by scrapes than rubs.

What he said. The only thing I'd add is that seeing DOES does more for me than rubs or scrapes. All rubs and scrapes tell you is that bucks WERE there. DOES mean that eventually the bucks WILL BE there. A single estrous "hot" doe is the best buck "sign" there is, and I go out of my way to hunt were she's passed by or where she went.

[Sam Menard]

By the time I get out, bucks have abandoned their rub and scrape lines. Nevertheless, I find both sign posts interesting and can indicate if a large buck had been frequenting the area.

Sam