Thursday, October 31, 2024
Locating a buck's trail using rub lines is a key skill for hunters and very helpful in patterning deer movement and behaviour whether you’ve got a buck or doe tag in your pocket.
Here are some tips to using these antlered sign posts in the woods this fall!
Understanding Rub Lines
Rub lines are areas where bucks rub their antlers on trees, leaving visible signs. These can be both early season rubs for shedding velvet as well as through the season as markers of a deers path and runs in use.
Identifying Rubs
1. Look for:
- Scraped or rubbed areas on trees
- Bark removal or scratches
- Antler-shaped impressions
2. Check tree species in your area :
- Bucks prefer certain trees like cedar, pine, or saplings
Analyzing Rub Lines
1. Pattern recognition:
- Multiple rubs in a line indicate a buck's travel route
- Rubs on both sides of a tree suggest a buck's direction
2. Size and frequency:
- Larger rubs may indicate a dominant buck
- Frequent rubs suggest regular travel
Tracking a Buck's Trail
1. Follow the rub line:
- Look for consecutive rubs, tracks, or scat
- Note direction and distance between rubs
2. Identify trail characteristics:
- Narrow, defined paths
- Crushed vegetation or leaves and other sign on the forest floor
- Regular travel patterns and secondary routes off main runs.
Tips and Considerations
1. Timing:
- Pre-rut and rut periods increase rub activity
2. Terrain:
- Bucks often rub on trees near trails, edges, or funnels
3. Scent:
- Bucks leave scent marks on rubs; pay attention to strong odors
4. Regional differences:
- Adapt to local habitat and buck behavior
Using Rub Lines to Set Up
1. Stand placement:
- Position near rub lines, focusing on travel routes
2. Scouting:
- Identify feeding areas, bedding, and water sources
3. Trail cameras:
- Place cameras near rub lines to monitor buck activity if legal to do so.
By understanding and analyzing rub lines, hunters can effectively locate a buck's trail as well as the runs other animals are using and increase their chances of a successful hunt, deepening the knowledge of the Traditional Hunter and that connection with the wild!
CEO Of The Ethical Predator
Grant Richardson is from Ontario, Canada; he was raised into traditional bowhunting and bushcraft from a young age. Born into a family that has deep roots in both the bowhunting and fly-fishing community. Grant has developed a unique method of shooting, specifically for bowhunting and instinctive archery based on pressure testing for hunting situations and runs a mentoring program for those new to traditional bowhunting. Creating a fusion between functional martial arts training and archery, the program is specifically geared towards people making the switch from a compound bow to traditional. Grant is a featured writer in The Traditional Bowhunter Magazine and Compton Traditional Bowhunting Magazine and the author & host of The Code of Traditional Archery.