Why Deer Make Rubs, How to Hunt Them (

White-tailed deer rubs! Fresh rubs can be great sign! Learn more about rubs and how to hunt them.
Rubs are where deer use their antlers to remove the bark and deposit their scent on the tree as a form of communication. Dr. Grant Woods shares some of the research done to determine why deer make rubs, they types of rubs and which ones make the best spots to put a hunting stand or blind.
0:00 - Intro
1:41 - Why?
2:27 - Small Rubs
2:51 - Larger Rubs
3:34 - How to Monitor Use
4:12 - Rub Lines
4:32 - Hunting
5:31 - Territorial?
5:59 - Rub Density - hunt
Background on these deer hunting videos: GrowingDeer.tv was created by Dr. Grant Woods as a means to share his love for managing and growing white-tailed deer. Grant’s passions in life are God, family and hunting. Grant has been hunting since the third grade and has degrees from Southwest Missouri State University, University of Georgia, and Clemson University. His goal is to provide current, useful information about deer hunting and deer management in an on-demand video format.

[@subterfusion4005]

Man i really respect Dr. Woods, not just the great deer knowledge but his encouragement to stop and listen to the Creator. He doesnt preach at you or push a theology, he justs asks you to reflect on the fact that you exist in a creation. Just take note of that and appreciate that.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for sharing the encouraging words!

[@WillyB2122]

Exactly..not many like Dr. Woods!

[@cartermayo6296]

I’m a youth pastor in central Arkansas and an avid bow hunter! Thank you so much for the incredible knowledge but for always point back to God! I am always so encouraged by your perspective as well as making Christ the center! Thank you so much for what y’all do!!!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Carter - May God bless your ministry!

[@bowhunter2]

Haven't watched you guys in a long time and this video came across my feed. Really glad I checked it out, Grant is so knowledgeable and explains things on another level. I have always enjoyed growing deer tv for many of reasons. The biggest for not selling out, staying true to themselves and constantly putting out quality outdoor videos. Glad to see you guys still leaving your mark!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for the very kind words!

[@dennybrege9479]

Your videos are very informative and eye opening. I will be putting them to practice. And yes, I praise the creator during every hunt. Thank you.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Denny - Thanks for sharing the kind words!

[@sean-yb5hc]

That 2nd deer was me this morning trying to find a good tree to climb hahaha Just discovered the channel and loving the knowledge thats clearly based on thorough research, data, and a genuine love for hunting-Subscribed!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Sean!

[@ianhoose4784]

Every video I watch I learn so much! Thanks so much

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for sharing the kind words!

[@blacktagbraunvieh5632]

Another great video on rubs. Thankyou so much for making these great videos, I love watching your videos because I know I can trust what you say unlike some of the other channels that just muppets for their sponsors. Thanks again

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Benjamin!

[@eugeneconner6934]

Enjoyed the last 2 videos alot.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Eugene!

[@stevecorbett7612]

Thanks for the info iam yrs old and I have learned something new about rubs I new some of them but lured more about the rubs thanks again Steve Corbett

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Steve and enjoy the season!

[@lifebreadbakeryandminifarm2834]

Thanks for the info on both scrapes and rubs. I have been seriously misinformed about them for my whole life. It is good to understand better what they are for and which deer use them so that I can apply this information to future hunts.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Jojo - Have a great season!

[@jonathanfunnell4167]

BEAUTIFUL JUST BEAUTIFUL

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thank you!

[@John-ck7gv]

Rifle season is approaching in my area and I’m extremely excited!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

John - Same here and me too!

[@tomzygmunt6891]

Loved it👏

[@mattreynolds792]

Love the videos

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Matt!!

[@afireinside33110]

This year was the first time I got to see a buck make a rub. It was amazing to see all of the wood shavings and bark on the ground it looked like someone used a large knife to do it.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Christopher - They do get aggressive!

[@crunchymomguides3694]

Ty for the information. I appreciate you sharing what you spent years learning. But what prompted my comment was the end of your video. Ty for bringing the focus back to our Creator. ~Blessings.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for the encouraging words!

[@jaehanson781]

Thanks, Grant. I love the message and the wisdom of a Christ follower. We all need that reminder to BE STILL and listen to our creator.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks!

[@aaronkorsmo]

I really enjoy watching your videos. You're very informative. Thank you.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Aaron - Thanks for sharing the kind words!

[@joethorn88]

Thanks for the tip to use a pencil!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Joe - You are welcome!

[@menumlor9365]

6:05 What tree is that buck rubbing on? I’ve seen many rubs on those trees before but never knew the name of them.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Menum - Deer prefer rubbing on species that are aromatic or have a pleasant odor once the bark is removed such as cedar, sassafras, pine, and most fruit trees! However, the location is more important than the tree species.

[@robertcigainero9703]

I've watched this video several times now. In your research, did you discover that some bucks prefer certain trees over others? For an example, pines being rubbed more than oaks. If so, why do they prefer certain species to rubbed?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Robert - Bucks prefer to rub on aromatic species such as pines, cedars, sassafras, fruit trees, etc.

[@remingtonsmith734]

Good to know btw my old name was gg but good to know becasue 30 yards to the left form my tree stand there is 1

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Sounds like you are in a good spot!

[@douglasfry6112]

Just found a number of smaller rubs and one very large rub. The woods are somewhat open. How far from these rubs should I set up?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Douglas - Congratulations on finding sign! There are too many variables such as how are it is to food, bedding areas, wind direction, etc., for me to give you good advice.

[@24blunt]

you know i have always seen big rubs like those but i thought i was tripping. i was thinking deer don't rub big trees like that, but i guess i was wrong. Thanks 4 the INFO

[@GrowingDeerTV]

You are welcome!

[@dgreenapple]

Question for you: I have my cameras in a large 500+ Acre forest and I have two photos of the same deer walking the EXACT same path twice in 5 days at the same time of morning. Can you call that a pattern, or just a coincidence? How many times makes it a pattern?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

David - This sounds like a pattern to me - a 40% pattern (2 out of 5 days). Remember that these data don't necessary forecast if the buck will continue the pattern, especially this time of year.

[@dgreenapple]

@@GrowingDeerTV Thanks for the quick reply!!!

[@joesomebody2415]

My Experience is that the size of the Rub doesn't necessarily Indicate the size of the deer

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Joe - That's correct but usually big rubs are made by big deer!

[@nixonfleming6575]

Bucks will rub any type of tree to mark there area let other bucks and does he in there.some rubs u find on some skinny or narrow it Chuck trees .but always take note what direction those rubs are going a buck will rub tree in straight line then leave big scrape on ground may also urine in it leave strong scent.i found 3 rows of buck rubs they were telling me he went east. So each rubs on tree was 4 feet apart one other.i came upon big scape I notice I was going east were he was moving in that direction .i played wind it was trilling wind blowing in circles in woods so I knew he have hard time wind of me.so I keep going .i came across pocket funnel I look around I hear tiny water flow so I move little closer I looked down found deer pellet that were fresh and few more I look up I see food plot on edge woods some good bedding cover.so I said to myself this were I I got stop so I look for good spot that give some cover and great shooting lanes in all directions because I saw other travel lanes going into food plot and bedding I found tree thumb sat down waited it out .that day I saw 4 does and shoehorn I love hunt big bucks those does look like they were in heat or rut how ever u call it.so I figure if they were there going be big buck near by.so I waited.about 2n half hour later a snow storm started roll in .i hurt some movement coming from same direction I saw does and spike horn came from I saw bigger deer I wait until he stop let out grunt.i put scope on him I realize I do not have much light see threw scope because I was in pines so only light I could get was in front of me so I waited for buck get were I get better view threw scope when he got there he had wide rack a trophy one .then when I go pull tigger.i saw this young buck that was with does get in his path like going challage but big buck run right at him .i never got shot off because storm but I hunted that spot next day I found all kind rubs.never saw big buck again maybe he moved on to other does

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Nixon - Sounds like a fun hunt!

[@nixonfleming6575]

@@GrowingDeerTV it was just wish I had chance get shot in that day

[@danculleny3761]

Grant, how should I hunt my stands here in the Ozarks during the rut with such a long warm weather pattern? Should I attempt it or wait it out?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Dan - I'll be hunting! I will be selective on where I hunt and be sure the wind and/or thermals are in my favor! Scent travels a long way with warm air.

[@danculleny3761]

@@GrowingDeerTV thanks so much grant! Love your stuff!

[@jimmybanks9231]

I had more rubs this year than any other year

[@linkinfrankens9748]

Big bucks

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Who doesn't like them?

[@linkinfrankens9748]

I love them

[@matthewcumpston260]

What do you mean by 36hrs?

[@Intimidator82]

I think he is referring to the amount of time that a doe is in estrus. If she isn't bred in those 36 hrs, she will come into estrus again in 28-30 days

[@matthewcumpston260]

@@Intimidator82 ty

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Josh is correct! Thanks Josh!

[@matthewcumpston260]

I’m in West Virginia it’s slowly starting to pick up

[@robertcigainero9703]

I'd like to read your thesis.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Whew - that was long ago!

[@gaelewis6623]

Will bucks rub on pine trees

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Yes

[@johnnyandrowdyoutdoors8025]

Hi

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Helly Johnny!

[@ilovenythismuchilovenewyor5801]

Be nice if u guys do your advertising for them companies at the end of the video

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@ilovenythismuchilovenewyor5801]

@@GrowingDeerTV no problem I just feel in a way it slows down the focus on your videos that ppl just like I did went off the video to go look up some of them products and then I veered off to look at other stuff and I didn't continue to watch your whole video because ill go watch days later see the beginning n my brain says hey u watched this already.

[@ilovenythismuchilovenewyor5801]

@@GrowingDeerTV only trying to help brother. We appreciate all your knowledge 🙏

[@njmike9784]

I was always curious if this was aggressive behavior due to testosterone build up for the breeding season

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Mike - Thanks for watching!

[@bi7235]

Just killed a buck yesterday over a rub on public land.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

B I - Excellent! Congratulations!

[@JBSTCS]

Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

[@Believer1427]

Jesus Christ loves you enough to die for your sins. Believe on the name of Jesus Christ and repent of your sins to be saved from hell. May God bless.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Believer1427]

@@GrowingDeerTV no problem 👍