![]() Ozoga more than 20 years ago in his very extensive reports. Among the best research that we have seen on small racks in white-tailed bucks was revealed by John J. This has been not only documented on the pages of Deer & Deer Hunting over the years, it has been studied, scientifically, for decades. Social stress is a huge factor in why young bucks don’t manifest larger antler configurations. Deer managers can expect to see fewer than 25 percent spikes among yearlings in areas with well-fed, well-managed whitetails herds (Browning Trail Camera photo by Dan Schmidt) Both can have factors on antler development, but a larger role is attributed to something not as tangible. ![]() Some hunters believe it is purely related to nutrition, while others believe it is purely related to minerals (or lack thereof) in local soils. Set up there and you’ll have terrific odds for intercepting an early-season or pre-rut buck heading to the field, while there’s still shooting light in late afternoon.Small antlers in bucks is something that’s hotly debated by deer hunters. Backtrack and find where that rub connects to a line of blazed trees further back, possibly in a brushy staging area or along a travel route from bedding cover. The exception would be in lightly-hunted areas or during peak rut. A mature buck probably won’t enter these open areas until after shooting light. Late-night field rubsįield rubs are made by bucks as they approach open areas to feed, usually in early season and most often at night. Although it's true a buck used that area in the past, he has not returned recently or the rubs would be fresher. Old rubsĭried up rubs that are pale, washed-out and wan-looking were probably made in the previous year. These are rare and indicate a 4-8 year old buck’s core area. Giant buck rubs are those made on trees measuring 6 to 12 inches across. He probably won’t return to that spot any time soon. A buck likely made these carelessly while wandering. They’re light, incidental marks that may not even fully strip one side of the tree’s bark. Random rubs that are simply found scattered here and there are of little use for your hunting strategy. They’re not consistent spots for ambushing older bucks. These can be prime spots to simply tag out with an average buck. Community rubsĬommunity rubs are made in places like staging areas or the intersection of major trails where large numbers of bucks pass and add their scent, typically on 3 to 6 inch trees. The buck will hang here with the estrous doe for up to 48 hours. If you find a fresh rut rub that wasn’t there a few days ago, set up immediately or hang a stand and return in the morning. He may also paw the ground, making half-hearted scrapes. Three to 4-inch trees may be rubbed, but the buck will also shred nearby saplings and brush to release pent-up testosterone and impress his mate and other nearby bucks. Rut rubs are made during peak breeding by hormonally-charged bucks near a hot doe. Deer will usually head toward the blazed side of the rub. These are excellent spots during the pre-rut. ![]() Trail rubs are made by bucks traveling through their core home range, often from feed areas to bedding cover. These make terrific early-season stand sites, but are poor choices otherwise. Rubs an early-season stand sitesīoundary rubs are made in early season, well before rut, as mature bucks mark their territory. Single rubs and the rutĭuring the rut, fresh individual buck rubs are more important since they pinpoint a buck’s current location with a hot doe. They also help hunters find crucial bed-to-feed travel patterns. When scouting early, search for rub lines more than individual rubs. Four-inch or thicker trees are rubbed mostly by three-year or older bucks. 4 suggests.Īll bucks will rub small trees of 1-3 inches in diameter. The size of the tree can indicate the size of the buck, as No. ![]()
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