Reading Rubs as Sign

[BRazz]

I've heard it talked about that areas with lots of rubs over the years are sure bets for repeat rutting activity. How do you interpret "lots of rubs"? The highest concentration of rubs I've ever encountered has been a handful every here and there - maybe a tree every 10-20 yards or so - and covers an area of a couple hundred yards (ish). Usually this is in thicker timber, where I expect either a herd or a bull has been bedded. Sometimes in more open country such as broken meadows or thinning trees near timberline, these rubs are even more sparsely distributed - no huge concentration. Hard to describe... But my point is that I never really felt like rubs were everywhere, or that there were lots of different ages mixed. And lord knows I've covered some ground in my days. Am I missing something? Have I just never stumbled onto the hot-spots I read about?

[the weasel]

As a side note, how do you differ them between just rubbing the velvet off and actually "trashing" a tree/shrubs/willows during the rut/hot time of season? 2 yrs. ago we came across a spot that we counted 17 rubs by standing in one spot and turning a circle and within eye site. This was in a semi open spot in thick timber at the edge of a re-planted section. Some older some new.

[WapitiTalk1]

I pay minimal attention to rubs I come across each year as the vast majority of them are velvet rubs. You can definitely tell if a rub is fresh and has been made recently. As far as locating elk, I rely much more on vocalization, visual sighting, fresh travel/feeding sign (well used trails), fresh droppings and where I've got into them before. Rubs are similar in my mind to tracks, beds, even wallows.... in that they tell you where elk have been at some point. Here is an example of a rub worthy of your time

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[Swede]

I pay attention to rub concentrations. In Weasel's situation he is probably describing a bedding area.
When bulls are in their bedding area they will occasionally get up to rub their antlers. Over time this can make a concentration of rub trees. In the heat of the day they may also go to water. Along the way they can rub on a tree which over time leaves a trail of rubbed saplings.
If you can stand in one location and see a dozen or more old and new rubs, it is a concentration. The exact number is not critical. Bulls begin to rub their antlers about August 20th. If you see some new rubs at a spot near the beginning of the season it is likely they have been hanging out there. If you have a concentration of trails nearby showing repeat use, it is likely a good place to hang a tree stand. If there is a well used water hole nearby, consider waiting there in a tree stand.