Yesterday, while scouting, I found a significant number of fresh rubs. Consequently, I'm planning on hanging my stand in one conveniently placed tree with-in 20 or so yards of a bunch of them. I found one 5" tree with brow time gouges in it and numerous other rubs on smaller saplings--including a group of 3 or 4 saplings growing together that all were torn up.

My question is this.

Is a group of rubbed saplings growing out of the same base equal in "scouting value" to one big tree that was rubbed?

One thing we have to remember is that rubs show us where a buck was and that there are bucks in the area not necessarily that the same buck is going to return....when you find a rub line, that's a good indication of a bucks travel route....when your talking one big tree, it's likely it is a scent post and that bucks, several will visit this post periodically when in the area.

Rob--agreed. In fact, I know that rubs are often made at night and aren't necessarily a hotspot. However, this particular spot had a concentration of rubs in all directions, heavily used trails all around, and I've hunted from this very tree as recently as last season and saw deer all day, including bucks--I'm pumped!

I just want to know if a rubbed group of trees all growing from one base is as good an indicator of a big buck and is one large rubbed tree?

I see what your saying, I'd venture to guess you can tell if the buck has a decent rack if he's rubbing a particular sapling and touching others out beyond it. Sounds like a good spot, travel corridor, staging area or the what not....I'm looking forward to seeing your entry.....Good luck Dave.