I prefer to find rubs. If there are a lot of huge rubs in the area, it gives me hope there is at least one mature buch, the more huge rubs, the more mature bucks I believe will be in the area. The more bucks, the better my odds are.

While I like to find scrapes, I very rarely hunt over them. I try and put myself in saddles and funnels that are loaded with rubs.

My money is on the Monster.
I haven't even set foot in his domain ... yet.

Saturday is Kentucky's opening day muzzle loader season,and I will s-l-o-w-l-y do the sneaky stalk back to the place he inhabits.

The one sign that I look for is his primary scrapes before the rut starts. They are usually near thick bedding areas,along main trails,saddles and corridors.One important aspect of his primary scrapes are,they are used year after year.That is how I will set-up and find the Monster ... from last years primary scrapes.

One will always find a branch that overhangs his scrape,along with chewed limbs. The scrapes will be as large as a trucks car hood,compared to other scrapes that lesser bucks have made. They will have hoof prints,tine marks,deer droppings and the strong smell of urine , indicating that a large aggressive,supreme buck is nearby.There will be rubs too,on large trees,usually from the top of his bedding area to the water hole at the preferred creek bed.

Don't mistake primary scrapes with territorial scrapes,as a buck will make several of these,and never return to check 'em.

If a scrape doesn't have the above mentioned characteristics,rubs,overhanging branch and chewed limbs ... you are wasting your valuable time spent in the woods.

I too,look for deer droppings that are clustered together.In the past,I've noticed bucks less than 3-years old pass a pellet form of fecal matter.

The older mature bucks pass patties or clusters of fecal excrement.When I locate these,I know that a large buck is close by. If I find them near food plots or bedding areas,they speak volumes as to his travelling routes. Hence,I'll set-up accordingly.

The pre-rut action has shown up in SD. We're toward the end of a week long cold snap that had temps in the 35-45 range for highs. We even got a couple inches of snow in a 2 day span. Right before this hit, my good hunting buddy shot a he/she buck with the craziest rack I've ever seen. Was in full velvet too.. It technically only scored 135 but the way the rack is, the score doesn't really matter. One of a kind. I have my big hunting weekend planned for November 7th. I'm counting on full rut. For my sign, I'm a rub man. I've been hunting in the same areas for so long, I can typically work out which bedding areas and feeding areas are being used. This year could be tough with harvest so far behind from all the wet fall weather. There's a ton of corn fields hiding some good animals. Hopefully the weather cooperates to get some of that out of the way by Nov. 7th.

The excitment of early rut activity, bucks grunting, making scrapes, the occasional chasing of a doe is what is so great about being in the field. Until the other day I though I new all of the bucks on my property through trail cam photos and hunting. Then all of a sudden A 150 inch 9 pt with the possibility of some junk aroud the bases showed up. I have seen him a couple of times now, and have watched him for a total of about 50 minutes. He has responded to grunting and doe bleets, but has only came with in 45 yards and that has been several times. I hope to get an opportunity to take him, or atleast let my brother get him when he comes back from Iraq. Everything about deer season is great, including the lulls. You never know when the action will become great or even when a new friend might show up such as that 9 pt.

A few days ago here in Michigan I watched a bachelor group of 9 bucks about 200 yards away from my treestand followed by 2 pairs of bucks follow them about fifteen minutes behind the main group. That got the ole blood pumping! And they say there's no bucks in Michigan--Ha!

just set up my stand on the corner of a bean field with rubs all around me....very excited to get in there and mix it up.....bring on saturday!!!

Yesterday i was walking along a fence row (central Illinois) and spotted my first rub.. not very big but this early cold weather might help push rut a little early.. be ready to start seeing some does getting hott!

Haven't been in the woods in a few days but i expect this weather pattern the past few days has got them rubbing and scraping a bit more. Anxious to get out this afternoon.

hey cletus!!!
i might only shoot big bucks in the guts but i do know that this pic is of a bear sharpining its toe nails

but if you need a guided hunt on yur property just let me know.