From what I am accustomed to at home a dominant buck will make some huge rubs,rubs on thigh size trees.I don't know that in my eight years of hunting in Idaho that I have seen any rubs of that type.I have seen a number of rubs on wrist to forearm size trees.It is just interesting to me.There are many more 31/2 years and older bucks in Idaho than we have around my home area.In fact in the area in which I live if you shoot a 110 to a 120 inch buck you have shot a deer of a lifetime.I just recalled a rubbed area that I saw out there a couple of years ago that had a bunch of shredded rubs on 5 and 6 inch trees.I saw a very good non typical buck running a doe in that area that I couldn't get my gun on.(that was painful!)
That lends itself to another aspect of the comments you guys have made about still hunting.I do still hunt quite a bit,ordinarily from 10:00 or 11:00 to 2:00 or 2:30.the other parts of the day I am either in a tree stand or sitting.Some of the areas I still hunt are god awful thick,I try to get on the edges for silence and visability,I can't tell you how many times I have heard bucks grunting and running does but couldn't see them.It's exciting but frustrating.
I am not much of a clear cut hunter.I have sat on them a number of times and have hunted the edges while working my way in to other areas.I am actually surprised at how few deer I have seen in them.I prefer to hunt the woods.I look for areas that are not easily accessible by four wheelers.(I am always on foot)
Unless you have hunted out there you don't have an appreciation for how quiet the woods are,where a couple days of beard growth sounds loud against your fleece collar.At home we hunt with our ears,out there our vision is much more important.I have had deer come directly beneath me,coming in from my backside, while in a tree stand and never heard them coming.
I really enjoy the hunting out there! I appreciate your comments!