What made this rub/scrape?

[DirtAddict]

Went on a quick scouting trip over the weekend to some BLM land.

After glassing from a ridge for a bit, I went down to bottom where there was a rather large creek. I walked a few kilometers looking for pig sign, then shot up the canyon to explore some really thick stuff. I had the stupid idea of finding the pigs where they bed in the afternoon. Man I didn't realize how overgrown this place was. I tried to cut up to the ridge from where I was glassing, but soon realized how many more canyon walls and creeks I had to climb up and over to get there. Finally gave up after several hours and dropped down into a feeder stream that took me back to the main creek where I started. I just went back the way I came. It sucks I got stiff armed by mother nature. But I'm just glad I was able to get out of that stuff before dark.

In my travels, the dog and I found this small cleared area and scrape underneath the scrub canopy. Still had to stay on my knees but compared to the rest of the area, this spot was clear.

I included a pic of the scrape. I'm assuming it's pig because it seems really unlikely that anything over 3 feet tall could make it here (remember I crawled most of the way on my hands, knees and stomach). Still, that scrape a little higher up makes me wonder. Also, there wasn't any fresh sign on the ground telling me one way or the other. Opinions?

 

[jdam777]

not a porker...

You are on a deer trail my friend. This is refered to as a "deer scrape"

 

[Vermonster]

You are on a deer trail my friend. This is refered to as a "deer scrape"

A deer "rub".... Scrape's on the ground..... :roll-wink-green:

However, I do no tthink that is what it is. They 3 or 4 branches that are rubbed all look uniform in appearance, especially the 2 on the left side. They are the same length, and seem distinct at each end, not uneven, tapered, like a deer does. It almost looks like something was rubbed sideways, if that makes any sense..... :confused-yellow:

 

[gatorfan]

Interesting, I always thought a "scrape" was where a deer "scraped" the leaves and dirt under a tree or bush with its hooves and a "rub" was where they "rubbed" a tree or bush with their antlers. Also, this "rub" only has horizontal markings and, from what I can see, doesn't have any marking on the underneath limb on the left side where you would typically see marking from a buck's antlers hitting. I've never seen a pig's "rub" but I am interested to hear from the experts.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

+1 on the Deer Rub!

 

[DirtAddict]

Thanks for clarifying the terminology. I wasn't sure so I put both.

I'm actually pretty surprised that it deer would be in stuff that thick. It's possible but the area was reasonably accessible only to animals of smaller stature than a deer. I don't hunt deer though so what would I know.

 

[DirtAddict]

quick resource on pig rubs:
"Feral pigs also rub on a variety of objects to scratch themselves or to remove dried mud or parasites from their skin. They have been known to rub on trees, rocks, fence posts and power poles. The rubs are usually from ground level up to about 3 feet high, usually with bits of hair or mud clinging to the rubbed object."

Feral Pig Fact Sheet - WDNR

Could those narrow cuts be from their tusks?

 

[weekender21]

Not a buck rub for sure. It's hard to tell in the picture but it could be from a boar. They occasionally cut up trees or fence posts with their lowers or "cutters". I've never seen it on chamise brush like that before but I see no reason why they wouldn't use it.

 

[JNDEER]

Not a buck rub for sure. It's hard to tell in the picture but it could be from a boar. They occasionally cut up trees or fence posts with their lowers or "cutters". I've never seen it on chamise brush like that before but I see no reason why they wouldn't use it.

I personally could go either way. Not like any Buck rub I have ever seen though. I have seen the boar rubs, butnothing on branches that thick..mostly on smaller trunks and lower to the ground, not that high (using the dog in the background to judge height)

 

[jls456]

Bigfoot?

 

[boar slayer]

pig rubs look sanded and polished
deer rubs are mostly vertical and bucks dont have horns right now
mite be a bear if the groung was hard they dont leave good tracks

 

[Knock 'em Down]

It looks like a porcupine was chewing. There's a mark up a little higher in the back. How would an animal rub on the opposite side of the bush without hitting anything else. I don't know what pigs do with their cutters but that is not a deer rub.

 

[weekender21]

Chubacabra

 

[slanttop357]

It looks like a porcupine was chewing. There's a mark up a little higher in the back. How would an animal rub on the opposite side of the bush without hitting anything else. I don't know what pigs do with their cutters but that is not a deer rub.

Thats what i was thinking something chewing .

 

[Vermonster]

Thats what i was thinking something chewing .

+2.... Like I said before, it looks more like the bark was taken off sideways......

 

[Kentuck]

Definately not a deer rub or pig rub. Looks more like something scraped the brush as it was going by. Does look like chew marks though.

 

[ltdann]

rope burns?

 

[walkneagle]

looks man made to me. to uniform.

 

[Vermonster]

rope burns?

Never thought of that. As good a guess as any.......

 

[DirtAddict]

Thanks for all the input! Hard to believe it was man made but you can never be sure. I'm thinking maybe something chewed the bark but again not 100% sure. At least the going wisdom seems to be that it is not a rub of any kind.