Rubs provide visual cues and scents that inform other deer about the rub maker. Although no one knows for sure, these rubs probably relay information about social status. The number of rubs a deer makes seems to vary among individuals, but studies of penned deer have shown that adults rub more often than yearlings. The pattern and frequency of buck sign in an area often reflect the age structure and sex ratios of the resident deer herd. Areas with mature adult bucks have more buck sign, and these areas show signs of rubbing and scraping activities earlier than areas with predominantly yearling bucks.
Scrapes also are signposts made by bucks.
They probably are used to attract or keep track of breeding females and to advertise the presence of the maker. When making a scrape, a deer paws the ground and urinates on the disturbed soil. Most scrapes are made near deer travel routes under low tree branches that typically are nibbled on and marked with a scent gland from the deer's forehead. Adult bucks make about twice as many scrapes as yearlings. Although not common, buck fawns and does have been observed freshening scrapes.