Stags will rub trees while they have hard antlers only obviously, so expect it any time of year. Although during the roar/rut rubbing will appear all over a stags territory. If you find rubbings, check for fresh sap, and hairs or mud on the trees, that'll give you a good indication on freshness.
Deer in general will wallow all year round. But again, more so during the roar/rut. If the shit was cold, I doubt you spoooked it. But there's obviously deer in there, so worth a look again. Keeping in mind 99% of red stags will have dropped their antlers and will be in the early stages of growing velvet.
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