Rubs

[Rhouck6]

I am a relatively new hunter and doing my first year of bow hunting. Today I took my son on some state land and we came upon a host of rubs just off the access road, these were new rubs on some small and some thick trees 4 inch diameter. The rubs were kind of in a cluster, with a line formed after leading to a huge bedding area (top of the hill) about 50 yards away. My question is with this knowledge what is the best way to hunt it? I can't find where the food source is yet, my five year old tires easily but I have a good general idea of the trail made on the other side of the access road.

[Arrow Flinger]

I would hunt the rub line as close to the bedding area as you can get without spooking the deer. Take the wind direction into consideration too. Most of the time it blows somewhere from the west (W,NW,SW) so you should be on the east side of the bedding area and rub line. Hang a stand and hunt it ASAP, because when they start chasing does around they wont run their rublines as much.

[CuseHunter]

As arrow said... Don't wait. If you find new rubs. Hunt them ASAP. Deer will move on and change after some time as the rut swings from what I've read and experienced. If the rubs are fresh, get a stand where the wind is in your face overlooking that rub line, and hunt it hard.

[MACHINIST]

Good advise!!

[CuseHunter]

I'd even add that personally I'd hit the grunt tube a couple times every 30 min. Especially if they bed not too far away. You might get some more action. I have good luck using the grunt tube in the earlier part of the season. Just my .02

[BUCKANDAQUARTER]

well said! very soon they will start to get out of these patterns and be on the move, probably the next week or so it will be harder to hunt fresh sign as they could be chasing the doe. right now there is a chance they are sticking to the patterns.