I went to my favorite spot yesterday for the flintlock deer season. When it got light I noticed three young pine sapplings that were tore up from a buck leaving his calling card. I saw lots of POOP ( deer ) around my stand ( 100 yrd. circle ); excited you betcha but confused.

Do the deer still rub trees even after the rut or is the rut still going on but not as intense?? Could this be an immature buck just rubbing because he can? Are some bucks still in velvet and need to remove the dead layer of skin? I know what your thinking--Lakehopper you need to get out more; well I am but I have been sitting in this spot for 3 years now and never have I come across new rubs so late in the year even when I still hunted on Wednesday after Christmas I found old but this years rubs and scrapes but not as fresh as I mentioned above. I have researched this in my book on Deer and their behavior, doesn't share much on rubs except it happens usually during the rut. No mention of time frame on the rut either.

Dr.Trout, Uncle PENN,DD,PRNC, Kevinupp, ANYBODY,   help me better understand what is going on here.I am just so excited with this find around my stand.

i noticed a few last week also. they were on young pines. i don't know the reason either. at the sgl44 tour rgb mentioned that due to the buck/doe ratio in some areas, it may take several months for the doe to be bred...if at all.

    Thank goodness, thanks guys, and it's a good thing I too am still young!!!    

Thanks for your input I just learned a little more today

The female fawns that were born on time and are healthy should start to be entering thier first estrous soon.  Early to mid January.

A little spike occurs in the rutting activity this time of year but it would be sporadic at best.  

RSB is on record as to saying he has examined does that were bred as late as mid-Jan to early Feb. although that leads to little chance those late born fawns will survive...