Deer rubs??? what do you think?

[nateberly]

Here are some pics I took with my phone as we were closing up our stands for the season. They are all on large cedar trees. One looks like it may be a huge rub, but the other isn't worked as much, and is VERY high for a deer. I was wondering if this may be bear marking or something else. These are clickable pics for bigger versions. I was very surprised, happy, and confused at these.

[url="http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm303/nateberly/n1045538717_212332_8610.jpg"][/url]
[url="http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm303/nateberly/n1045538717_212331_8314.jpg"][/url]
[url="http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm303/nateberly/n1045538717_212334_9210.jpg"][/url]
[url="http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm303/nateberly/n1045538717_212333_8906.jpg"][/url]

Thanks for any advice or comments!
Nathan

[gunther89]

If there are bears in the area I would say it's probably bear.  If not then you have yourself a very large buck. 

[DeanoZ]

I had come upon a similar situation and posted about it in this section.  Not uncommon to have a large deer sign posting on cedars at the end of the season.  But those are some huge rubs.  The first one appears to have some deep gashes, so could have been a bear, and the others are pretty high as you mentioned.  The last two seem to have some branches fairly close to the trunk, so I'm thinking if it was a big buck he would of wither left some sign on those branches as well or knocked them over?

[DeerCamp]

If its a deer I would say he is a Dandy! However by the looks of it, its a bear.

[coach]

Could be a cross between a bear and a deer.
Its call a " beer " [;)]
 
Bear I say.  But then again....there's no guarantee.

[Bowtechian]

I think it would be a good place for a scouting camera. Would be nice to catch whatever it is in the act.

[nateberly]

Thanks for the thoughts. It wasn't too late in the season, the second week of nov.
There aren't a lot of bears around, although we have seen them on the property once. I looked for tracks near the rub, hoping to see some nice hoofprints, but nothing. Hopefully I can afford a scouting camera or two this year.

[Dan Schmidt]

Hi Nate,

It could actually be both. We have cedar swamps here that show similar rubs. Most times, they are communal rubs for mature bucks. However, bears will sometimes hit the same trees. Cedars, because of their aromatic qualities, are preferred by both species. Bucks rub them for the scent much like other species like pine, alder, etc.

Good luck this fall!

Best,
Dan

[msbadger]

I did'nt see much shavings under the tree in picture....thats what I usually see here with deer ...where as... not so much with bear

[chief]

In the Northeast it is common for deer to rub cedar trees I beleive it is for the aroma.I have seen this many times in areas with lots of cedar trees.It's more than likely several bucks working the same rub because of the aroma it gives off.I can smell the cedar from several feet away imagine how well they can smell it.It always gets my heart pumping when I see those huge rubs!