According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission the deer rub-making season begins in late September and continues through mid-October. The bucks use their antlers to scrape away the bark of small trees saplings and bushes leaving behind a smooth polished surface. The buck will then urinate on the rub leaving his scent behind to mark his territory.
As the season progresses and the bucks’ antlers grow larger they will begin to make more elaborate rubs. Some bucks will even scrape away the bark from entire trees stripping them down to the wood.
The act of making rubs is thought to serve several purposes for the buck. It helps to wear down their antlers which can get quite sharp as they grow. It also helps the buck to mark his territory and attract does.
So if you’re out in the woods this fall and see a tree with the bark scraped away you can be sure that a buck was there recently!
When bucks begin to grow antlers is the start of the rubbing season
Deer use their antlers to scrape the velvet off
Bucks will also use rubs to mark their territory
Bucks will often return to the same spot to rub year after year
Rubs are made by bucks of all ages
Does also make rubbing but not to the same extent as bucks
Rubs serve multiple purposes for deer
Bucks will rub against trees saplings and shrubs
The rubbing action helps to shed the velvet from their antlers
The act of rubbing also helps to harden the antlers
Rubbing also helps to relieve itchy skin for deer
Bucks will also use rubbing as a way to attract does
The scent from the bucks’ antlers will be left on the trees and shrubs
Does can tell if a buck is healthy and virile by the scent left behind
Rubbing is a way for bucks to show their dominance over other bucks
