UFi911
New Member
The QDMA published an article this summer titled "Stop a Buck in His Tracks
lant a Buck Rub". You can find the original article here:
Stop a Buck in His Trackslant a Buck Rub
I first discovered the value of having something to keep bucks attention in a food plot a few years ago. I had created a very large destination plot and was sitting in a stand that I could keep an eye on it from a distance.
The excavator had piled up the stumps in long skinny rows. So it was a 12 acre field with several rows of stumps across it. I watched a 2 year old buck cruise the field, pestering does as much as they would let him. Then finally he found a long branch hanging off the end of one of the rows of stumps. He worked that branch like a typical licking branch for several minutes. Then went back to chasing does.
He returned to this "licking branch" 2 more times before he left the field looking for more receptive does.
I believe the QDMA article holds merit to get a buck to hang out in bow range to present a shot.
Here is a twist on the article. Plant a LIVE buck rub. One that the bucks can use every year. If they trash it, no problem it will grow right back.
Here is a series of pictures of 6 foot hybrid poplar cuttings intentionally planted to keep bucks on the property during daylight hours. And they responded!
Depending on your situation, you might have to protect the tree with some fencing until hunting season rolls around. Deer will browse the trees if given the opportunity. And if they are planted in a food plot the deer will be there regularly.
A smaller cutting could also be planted (and protected). With reasonable rain any of the hybrids will be tall enough to be a buck rub, although slightly thinner than if a 6' cutting were used.
Thanks for reading,
-John
lant a Buck Rub". You can find the original article here:Stop a Buck in His Tracks
lant a Buck RubI first discovered the value of having something to keep bucks attention in a food plot a few years ago. I had created a very large destination plot and was sitting in a stand that I could keep an eye on it from a distance.
The excavator had piled up the stumps in long skinny rows. So it was a 12 acre field with several rows of stumps across it. I watched a 2 year old buck cruise the field, pestering does as much as they would let him. Then finally he found a long branch hanging off the end of one of the rows of stumps. He worked that branch like a typical licking branch for several minutes. Then went back to chasing does.
He returned to this "licking branch" 2 more times before he left the field looking for more receptive does.
I believe the QDMA article holds merit to get a buck to hang out in bow range to present a shot.
Here is a twist on the article. Plant a LIVE buck rub. One that the bucks can use every year. If they trash it, no problem it will grow right back.
Here is a series of pictures of 6 foot hybrid poplar cuttings intentionally planted to keep bucks on the property during daylight hours. And they responded!
6' hybrid poplars - one season of growth
Depending on your situation, you might have to protect the tree with some fencing until hunting season rolls around. Deer will browse the trees if given the opportunity. And if they are planted in a food plot the deer will be there regularly.
A smaller cutting could also be planted (and protected). With reasonable rain any of the hybrids will be tall enough to be a buck rub, although slightly thinner than if a 6' cutting were used.
Thanks for reading,
-John
