[Can'tSeeMe]

Just scouted out a new area in Western NC. Found close to 30 rubs about 3/4 of the way up a ridge that is on the backside of a small overgrown field. Lots of them looked like they were from last year, some obviously older, but none that looked like they were from this year.

my question: When do bucks start making new rubs for the season? Will he or another buck likely be back in the same area this year?

Our rut is a little later up here in the mountains..i've been told most breeding occurs in Mid December since most fawns around here are born in Mid-June.

 

[lknchoppers]

I have seen the majority of the rubs done already around here. I have seen a lot of scrapes too. I am near Charlotte. I have also seen many smaller bucks chasing does in this area since the end of October.

 

[pink06]

Bucks will start rubbing as soon as they come out of velvet, usually late-August early September around here. The rubbing will continue throughout the season but seems to peak about mid-late November around here (piedmont NC). If you have old rubs then those trees (if still living) will likely be rubbed again this season or next if bucks are still in the area. I don't generally hunt rublines since most rubbing is done at night. I do use rubs as an indicator of buck presence/activity in my hunting area, as well as an indicator of what direction bucks are approaching an area from.