I was out today checking my camera and trimming some shooting lanes at my stand location. An obscure trail that exits the thick stuff comes right by my tree this year. It was not there last year so I decided to follow it a ways. It comes to a little area with a lot of small saplings along the trail. Right on the trail were 4 saplings that were just rubbed within a day or two. The bark shavings were still very fresh and light brown. I have never seen rubbing this early. I'm wondering if the new abundance of bucks from Antler Restrictions here has anything to do with it. I'm having high hopes for good season this year. Also, my camera was full. I got more pics this week than in the previous 4 combined. Sent it off to the lab, can't wait to see what I got on film.

I found 5 rubs on the 28th. In my area in Illinois I almost always find my first rubs the last weekend in August. I've read it time and time again in different publications that mature bucks rub 2 to 3 weeks earlier than young bucks. I'm a believer in this thinking, and put a lot of stock into these first rubs. I'd say your in a good spot to take an early season bruiser. GOOD LUCK!!

been seeing rube and (Scraps) for two weeks now. got several pic's. of bucks , will post them soon as I get them on a disk.

there are three bucks coming to the wife's stand.got the camera at my stand and another of hers now.there are scraps and rubbs at those two also.

looks like an early season this year.every thing else has been screwy this year also.

I watched a buck working on a scrape this weekend. He was still in velvet but was licking the branches over an old scrape. He was also working them with his antlers.

The tips of several of the older bucks have begun to show white. Looks like it is time to shed velvet!

Good luck!