Bud explains the difference and how they help hunters find their prey

This is a very common question, especially from the beginning deer hunter. It is really one of the most misunderstood signs of a buck's presence in the woods. When the conversations start about seeing deer activity signs in the woods, some deer hunters will say they are seeing a lot of buck rubs or buck scrapes. But they often use the incorrect terms for what they are actually seeing.

A buck rub is a visual indicator on trees, large bushes, and even wooden fence posts where a buck deer will rub his antlers to remove the velvet that grows on the antlers during the growing stage. The force of that rubbing will remove the bark from the tree or be very visual by splintering fence posts.

Some deer hunters believe buck rubs are also on trees of various sizes where older bucks use them to strengthen and build neck muscles for determining breeding rights and fighting during the rut. 

Buck rubs can be on smaller trees, not much larger than a branch, and I have seen buck rubs on trees bigger in diameter than a man's thighs. It is commonly stated the larger the tree rubbed, the larger the buck making the rub. I have found that not to be reliable.

I have several trail camera pictures showing big bucks rubbing smaller diameter tree and smaller bucks rubbing on larger diameter trees. The main thought to consider is buck rubs indicate the presence of a buck, or bucks, in the area. 

Many times, you will find buck rubs in September just prior to the opening of the October deer seasons. If you locate a series of buck rubs along a well-used trail, that is certainly a confidence builder. It can also give you an indicator of the direction of travel.

The buck will mostly start rubbing on the front of the tree as he is traveling. If the buck rub is very high off the ground, that is a good indicator of a nice buck. If the bark on the tree at the site of the rub is wet and white, that indicates it a fresh rub. It will turn from white to yellow as it ages.

A buck scrape is found on the ground, usually located under a tree limb that overhangs the scrape. It is easy to see. All the leaves on the ground will be pawed out, and you can often actually see the hoof prints of the deer making it.

A scrape is a "calling card" the buck leaves on the ground, letting does know he is available. A scrape can vary in size from about the size of a basketball to well over three to four feet in diameter. The buck makes the scrape and will urinate in it, leaving his scent. He will also rub his scent gland on his forehead against a stick or twig on an overhanging tree branch. He will leave and make several more scrapes along known deer trails used by the does, and this will create a scrape line. 

When the does are in estrus, the does will search out a buck for breeding. When the doe finds a buck scrape, she will get the buck's scent from his urine in the scrape and also on the overhanging twig or branch.

She may actually squat down and urinate in the scrape, leaving her scent and announcing she is ready to breed. She will often lay down near the scrape and wait for the buck to return. If he doesn't return soon, she will leave and find another buck scrape.

The confusing things about buck scrapes are the boundary scrapes, territorial scrapes, and breeding scrapes. Boundary and territorial scrapes can be found in places like the edges of crop fields. They more or less indicate a buck's territory, much like a male dog urinating around his home, letting other dogs know, “Stay out! This place is mine!”

Breeding scrapes are normally found in much thicker, isolated locations such as swamps, creek bottoms, oak ridges, and ravines where human traffic is less expected. If you can locate a scrape line with several scrapes on the ground, you have located a hot spot. I would advise making a hunting spot along the scrape line to wait for the buck to come by, checking for a receptive doe.

If I had to make a decision between hunting along a buck rub line or a buck scrape line, it would be a buck scrape line. In my opinion, a buck rub indicates a buck was there, but it doesn't mean he will return. A buck scrape line means the buck was there and will return again, looking for a receptive doe. You just need to be there at the same time.

I found a buck scrape line along a well-used deer trail that looked like someone used a roto-tiller to make the trail, There was a buck scrape about every 20-25 yards. I erected a portable strap on tree stand, and I put some "doe in heat" scent in three different scrapes. I climbed into the stand to wait.

I picked a cold, quiet day with very little breeze, and I quietly walked in before daylight, climbed up the tree, and got settled in. I could hear deer activity before it was light enough to see. I could not wait until daylight.

Less than 20 minutes after daylight, I heard the dry leaves rustling and saw a doe trotting from the field toward the scrape line. She kept stopping, looking behind her, and then I heard the unmistakable sounds of a buck grunting. I got my .50 caliber CVA muzzleloader ready, and when the buck stopped and looked for the doe, I made the shot. He ran less than 30 yards and piled up. 

I hope this cleared up some of the misconceptions. I know there are some deer hunters who still get the terminologies confused. Buck rubs are on trees. Buck scrapes are on the ground.