Buck Rub

It is a common misconception that deer rubs on trees are caused by male whitetails attempting to rub the velvet from their antlers.  While it would not be unusual for a velvet-antlered deer to rub against a tree the rubbing that I've noticed lately comes from deer that have long-ago shed the velvet from their antlers.

click on the rub to enlarge

Around here the tree of choice for rubbing seems to be aspen, willow, and tamarack.  Why these three always seem bear the brunt of this activity remains a mystery to me.  Is there something about the bark?  Is there a scent imparted by the tree to the deer?  Or vice versa?  

It's actually the versa.

So here's the rub.  If you've ever had an opportunity to watch my Labrador retrievers in action it's all about scent.  When they're hot on a trail they don't follow with their eyes - they follow with their nose.  And if they find something particularly stinky and disgusting - they roll in it.  Blech.
So it is within much of the animal kingdom.  It's all about leaving your calling card.  Just like my dogs will stop at every fire hydrant and post that has been peed-upon - giving each a careful sniff before adding their own contribution - so it is with whitetail deer.

The rub above was made by a dominant buck.  Consider it both a visual and a sensory calling card.  Brought on by too much testosterone.  It isn't unusual for other bucks to add their contribution to the rub but it's more to do with establishing the pecking order.  The term dominant buck is apropos given that one of the reasons for this behavior is to mark their territory and curb the lesser bucks both psychologically and hormonally.  This suppresses testosterone levels in the smaller bucks allowing the Big Guy to exert his influence.  The glands located in the forehead of the dominant male send a signal that this is my turf.  It also signals to the ladies of the male's readiness to mate.  It is the whitetail equivalent of leaving your name and phone number with someone at the bar.

Pre-rut is the same as the beginning of the real rut.