Just moved to a new area and am limited in the amount of time to scout for this year. 3 weeks till NC bow season starts so heres my debate. I found a series of rubs (probably 10-12 in all) in an area of relatively thick bottom. There are a lot of deer trails along the area, and the rubs are all within a 75 yd circle. The tree trunks range from 2-5 inches in diameter. The rubs are all relatively new from what I can tell. the dilemma is, I put out a trail cam near the rubs, but the vegetation limits my ability to really capture pictures of the buck in the area. I haven't checked it yet, and plan to leave it for 2 weeks so I can get it back a week before season in order to analyze it and put my climber out there. Would you hunt this area, even if you don't get pics of the buck? Obviously one is there but without pics, would you guess this is a mature buck worth chasing? I'll post pics of the rubs when I'm home.
Go for it man, you never know what lies in there, might be a monster! Take a machete out there and cleane a little spot, just enough to get some pics and maybe one will walk by.... If my wife can make it happen, anyone can!!!
Absolutely. If there is that much sign in one area then there are bucks hanging out in there. Make sure you have shooting lanes for when you get the opportunity to shoot. Good luck.
I say yes, because that buck feels secure there for a reason. It would be nice to have pics if you can get them though, to make sure that it's a buck that you want to put your tag on. There is a reason that a buck used that area and bedded close by, so it is definitely worth hunting if it is tore up with rubs. The buck shouldn't be too far away.
Like already said, it is definitely worth hanging a stand. If pressure is low, bucks will rub the same areas year in and year out so I would definitely hang a stand. Smaller bucks won't typically take the time to rub larger trees so anything around 5" or more, in my experience, will be a more mature buck.
I would hang a stand and hunt it the same night, if possible. Like was said, that buck feels comfortable in that area, so try to be as low key as possible so that you don't bump him out. Good luck!
Yes I would not even hesitate to hunt it. Five inch diameter rubs are a pretty good indicator of a mature buck as already stated and a series of them that concentrated is also a good indicator of an aggressive, possibly, dominant buck. Be careful you don't kick him out of there. I'd try to hunt the fringes until I was more familiar with the area. Look around and find any crop food sources and try to catch him in between on huntable land.
I would do it. I have a spot where there is a line of scrapes. Although I have not had any pics there I already put up a stand and I think it will be one of my better sets.
If it is possible I would hang the stand right before a rain. Hang it like your going to hunt it. Meaning scent control,rubber boots,rubber gloves. Get it in just before a rain and let mother nature wash away any scent you have left. Good luck.
Go for it. Dominate bucks do most of the rubs. On second thought....I thinks it's too early for Carolina bucks to sport hard bone. The deer up north will harden before those in the south, due to differences in photoperiod. Are you sure your not looking at last years rubs? The deer in Iowa on lee and tiff's cam are still sporting velvet.
If you're truely looking at fresh sign, going in the check your camera is going to seal your fate. If you found a mature bucks core area hes not going to tolerate much more human activity. I'd leave the camera, next time in would be bow in hand stand on back, kill him and check the camera while you're dragging him out.
I'll go against prevailing wisdom and say don't waste your time...if fact, be a sport and PM me the GPS coordinates so I make sure to tell my Carolina buddies to stay away also...
Even if they are from last year, a buck will typically rub in the same area year after year. That is of course he wasn't shot after making the scrapes.
If you truely have fresh rubs I would set up on it as soon as season opened. Once it frosts and the leaves start to change the deer seem to change habits quickly. I never wait for anything. Hunt the deer where they are. Good luck.
I would not go back into the area until you are going to hunt it. When that time comes, slip in with your climber and hunt. Grab the camera on your way out after the hunt. Hunters think they need a camera to 'prove' there is a buck using an area they plan to hunt, but they are contaminating the area by checking trail cams and reducing their chances at that buck. Like Andre D'Acquisto says, the best hunts are on virgin sits. You have found a good spot. Have faith in what you have found. You don't need a camera to tell you there is a buck using the area.
