I'd say skeeter hit it on the nose. I don't think they rub to get the velvet off their antlers. IF it is...then why do they rub for months and on so many trees and why are the so deep in th etree that it leaves a mark (deep grooves and marks)??? If we scrath our head, we don't rip the skin open, we gently rub the area. If a buck was just uding it to get velvet off, there would probably be no marks on the tree, cause the velvet is drying and is brittle and will come off with little resitance.

Why do they rub? To mark teritory and to let other bucks know who's boss. To build up neck muscles id a definate. and to get ready for the rutting fights. They work themselves into a mad rage and it is just like practicing for a fight with another buck.

Please correct me if you think I'm wrong.