Deer rubbing their antlers on trees is a common sight in many wooded areas, leaving distinct marks on tree trunks and branches. This behavior, primarily exhibited by male deer, known as bucks, serves several purposes throughout their annual cycle.
Seasonal Timing of Antler Rubbing
Antler rubbing begins in late summer, typically around August, as bucks prepare for the upcoming breeding season. At this time, their antlers have completed their growth and the velvet begins to dry and shed. Bucks rub their antlers vigorously on trees and shrubs to remove this itchy, peeling velvet.
Following velvet shedding, antler rubbing intensifies and continues throughout the autumn and early winter, correlating with the rut, or mating season. The rut generally occurs from October to December, with peak activity often in November, though exact timing can vary by geographic location and deer species. During this period, rubbing serves purposes beyond velvet removal, becoming a significant part of their social and reproductive behavior. Rubbing activity decreases sharply after the rut, but bucks may continue to make rubs as long as they carry hardened antlers.
Primary Reasons for Antler Rubbing
One of the initial reasons for antler rubbing is the removal of velvet from hardened antlers. The velvet nourishes the growing antlers throughout spring and summer. Once the antlers are fully mineralized and hardened, the blood supply to the velvet ceases, causing it to dry out and become irritating. Rubbing provides relief from this itch and exposes the polished bone beneath.
Beyond velvet shedding, antler rubbing is a form of communication for bucks. They deposit scent from specialized glands located on their forehead and near their eyes onto the rubbed trees. These scent marks convey information about the buck’s identity, age, dominance, and reproductive status to other deer in the area. The visual aspect of the rub, exposing lighter wood beneath the bark, also acts as a signal.
Rubbing helps bucks strengthen and condition their neck and shoulder muscles, preparing them for the physical demands of the rut, including sparring with rival males. The act of rubbing also helps solidify the antlers and can polish them. This behavior allows bucks to practice for potential confrontations, gauge antler strength, and release pent-up energy, contributing to their overall readiness for the breeding season.
Identifying Antler Rubs and Their Significance
Antler rubs are marks on trees and shrubs. They appear as scraped or shredded bark, often with the lighter inner wood exposed. The height of the rub can vary, but they are typically found on saplings or smaller trees, ranging from pencil-thin to several inches in diameter. While smaller bucks might rub smaller trees, larger bucks can rub trees of various sizes, though a rub on a tree several inches in diameter often indicates a more mature buck.
Fresh rubs indicate recent buck activity in an area. Clusters of rubs or “rub lines” can reveal a buck’s travel routes between bedding and feeding areas. Rubs also signal the presence of bucks, their dominance, and the intensity of rutting activity in a given location.