Does this bear have mange?

[TheCoachZed]

Got some nighttime pics of a bear with some really ratty looking fur. Any ideas, guys? He's been in a few nights looking like this.

 

[TheCoachZed]

 

[Manitobahunter]

I don't think it's mange. This time of year the hide gets rubbed. They are losing the winter coat.

 

[2233]

Spring rubbinng...they look really splotchy and ratty as they lose their winter coat

 

[TheCoachZed]

My friend thought that he might have been in a fight, but I think it's too much hair loss for that.

He certainly looks pretty narsty. None of the other bears in there had that much hair missing.

 

[ff33]

Did he walk through a river to get to you, he looks wet.

 

[TheCoachZed]

There is a creek below the stand, but not deep enough that he'd have to swim... and he's come in looking like this on more than one occasion, with fur matted in the same spots.

 

[Big Game]

Do you have your baits set up in Tick country? Tick infestation will cause a bear to rub severely and leave lots of bald patches. Can't say that I've ever heard of a mangy bear.

 

[DVXDUDE]

he looks a bit thin too. Wonder if he's sick or something. Kind of nasty looking forsure.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Not a big tick problem that I know of.

 

[Republic of Alberta]

This picture gives you your answer.

He is hot and rubbing off his winter coat (you can see him rubbing in this pic). It is also the reason why he is wet, he is tring to cool down in the water.

 

[ryan32]

Don't think bears can have mange, as i think it is a disease that only occurs in dog species

I could be wrong though

 

[TheCoachZed]

I know they can get mange, but it is extremely rare. I think the wardens make a point of capturing them to study when they find a case.

 

[Riverjet]

The date in the photos says Oct 24 2008. Is the date correct or didn't you set the time right on the camera?

 

[tracker]

Freind shot a 400lber with a rub ring around his neck. Our guess was he was caught in a fence and thats why we in Ontario gave up the spring bear hunt cause we know fall hides are better.

 

[TheCoachZed]

The date in the photos says Oct 24 2008. Is the date correct or didn't you set the time right on the camera?

Time is correct, but date is not.

I just missed my chance for the season. I have a very enclosed blind where the bears can't see you, but unless they're at the bait, it can be pretty hard to see them.... anyway, I stood up to stretch at the exact time a bear walked in. He saw my head sticking out of the top of the blind and promptly walked away. That's what I get for being careless.

I doubt I'll get more than two more hunts in this season, and it's been VERY hit and miss lately on the camera... so I may have to bait until fall now.

 

[Redfrog]

Everyone keeps saying 'he' but is it confirmed a male?

I looks like some rubbing but it also looks like it could have been roughed up during breeding.

 

[rodngun]

Lol reminds me one time a girly girl once said while I was hanging out with her "EW WHATS WRONG WITH THAT DEER IT MUST BE SICK"..I laughed so hard and told her that the doe and the fawn are losing their winter coat that's why its patchy/different colors.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Everyone keeps saying 'he' but is it confirmed a male?

I looks like some rubbing but it also looks like it could have been roughed up during breeding.

Possible, I guess. It's displaying male activity (no cubs, gone for a few days at a time during breeding season, always comes in at or after dusk) but it might be a sow.