Author Topic: Rubs - purpose? (Read 239 times)

Tom Anderson · « **on:** November 18, 2008, 10:23:00 AM »

Are rubs on trees used by a buck to mark his territory or do they just rub trees at random to get the velvet off?

fireball31 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2008, 10:51:00 AM »

Both. During the rut a deer with a polished rack will still make rubs to advertise his presence.

trapperDave · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2008, 11:07:00 AM »

and build his neck muscles

Dave2old · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2008, 11:32:00 AM »

Fireball has it right. Those slits below the eyes -- suborbital glands -- secrete scent-laden "sebacious" fluids that identify specific bucks and bulls to others of their kinds. Whether this is an actual territorial marking is in doubt; more likely just an "I've been here ... and here ... and here!"

Tom Leemans · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2008, 11:38:00 AM »

and does will be more receptive to a handsome big fella with a nice looking rack. I personally watched a doe hanging around a fresh rub until a buck showed up the other night. Nature has it figured out.