I don't necessarily hunt where the majority of the sign is, but use it mainly as finding out what is in the area. As Duke says it depends on the time of season. I do hunt some sign and have been successful particularly hunting scrapes.

I try and hunt funnels that lead into or out of bedding areas, this type of area is golden during the rut, the bucks will use these to access the bedding areas looking for that hot doe.

X2

Exactly, only hunt the sign if it's in the right place.

Much rather hunt around bedding areas.

I agree with Duke.

I very rarely hunt over sign, but like duke said, I use the sign to get valuable answers that are going to help me pinpoint the location of the deer making the sign.

To answer your question, I'd go with rub lines. They're deer highways. More so than scrapes, in my experience. Scrapes are good. Real good. Just trying to prioritize. Kind of like what's your favorite song

For you guys who hunt sign.....

How (if you're NOT using trail cams) do you determine if a buck is making this sign in daylight hours v. night time? Or....do you just take a chance?

Thanks.

I wouldn’t call it so much as taking a chance, as it is an educated guess. And since our mature bucks are very nocturnal, it’s pretty easy to assume 90% is made at night. If it’s a field edge, or non-secluded area, I just assume night time activity and don’t bother to hunt it, but certainly like to know it’s around. Now if it’s back deeper in the woods and tight to a bedding area, I’ll take my chance that it could be day or night activity. If it’s in a travel corridor, I don’t care if it’s made day or night, as once the seek phase kicks in,(when I will actually start hunting that location) I feel that if they were traveling those areas during the night time, they will probably travel them during the day too (especially if it is a “safe” corridor).

I agree, but I would add that if you are hunting "the right spot" then there will also be sign. Perhaps anyorall of the things you listed.

Most of the places I hunt have intersections of MAJOR trails or are on distinctive funnels. If it is a good funnel, then there will be an abundance of tracks, a worn path, something. It isn't a good funnel if the deer aren't using itFind one in/out of a thick bedding area and you could be in for some fun.