At the rubs or at the apple tree?My tree stand dilemma.

[matt g meyers]

So what do you think?

I've found good deer sign at the local apple tree,but I have also found an area with 8-10 fresh rubs.

These are blacktail I'm dealing with here and the rut should be going on pretty well.

The two locations are 1/2 mile apart.

Any thoughts on where I should focus my time?

Also rattling has worked well in this area,should that take place where I know a buck once was or at a place that I know animals will return?

[BDann]

Is there a trail between the two?  I'm thinking that the area with the rubs might be a buck's bedroom, and you may want to give it some space.  A trail leading to it would probably be a good idea.

[ISP 5353]

Which area is holding the does?  Find them and then wait for the bucks to show!  Good luck!

[BMOELLER]

Apples in the evening and rubs in the morning?

[ron w]

Which one? The one that has the wind in your favor, play the wind and go back and forth.

[Bill Carlsen]

That's why I own too many tree stands. I would set up at both places,  hunt the wind and basically do what BMOELLER suggests. I remember once that I had a scrape and an apple tree about 80  yards apart. I would sit in one and hear activity at the other. This happened several consecutive evenings. Finally decided that it was about being where the does were so I hunted the apple tree more consistently and got this guy after 3 does walked by.

[BRITTMAN]

Bill and BMOELLER nailed it on the head , their suggestions are what I would do .

[elknutz]

I'm a fan of apple trees.  They have been good to me.  They have provided apple pie and pepperoni.

[jhg]

Originally posted by Bill Carlsen:
...decided that it was about being where the does were so I hunted the apple tree more consistently and got this guy after 3 does walked by.

 

Hunting smart and a heck of a buck to show for it.

Joshua

[matt g meyers]

Thank you all for the input.

Just got back in from the evening hunt. I went with the apples.I had a doe and her two fawns stop in with 25 minutes of daylight.No bucks on her back track yet.

Hopefully she will keep her routine and bring in some lads.

[George D. Stout]

Rubs show that there is buck activity in the area and that they were there.  I don't know anything about hunting Blacktail Deer but they probably are like Whitetails and will follow the girls when the time comes.  Hunt where the does are.

[Lone archer]

Hunt the does during the rut.

Bill they have bucks like that up there!

Rob

[JimB]

I was going to say the same thing George.The rub line might not mean as much right now.If the does are working the apples,that might be good.Regardless,hunt the does.When you start seeing does without fawns,get ready.

[Don Stokes]

I'll hunt rub lines pre- or post-rut, but not during the rut. Go for the girls!

[joevan125]

Yep go with the ladies.