What made these?

deer

Nechako said:
I found these scratch marks on a tree in our backyard, just looking for some ideas as to what made them. They are about 4ft off the ground and fairly fresh.
My brother thinks he saw a cougar about a month ago, could it have made these? If it is a cougar does this mean it's marking it's territory and hanging around? :runaway:




Nechako
Click to expand...

I would say a deer, the marks are deeper as they go lower and I can't see parrallel marks longer then a couple of inches as with bear claws which would be longer :confused: . If the distance between the marks were constant I would say a bear or cougar but because they are not spread reaching the bottom, I have to say a nice deer, maybe a mulie but, I am no expert so...
 
When bears mash up a tree they do it standing up, let's other bears know how big the graffitiist is. Looks too shallow to be a deer rub unless it was a baby buck. I'm going with meth-addled teen-agers.
 
It was either this:

DR%20MonsterBaby082403(QP).jpg






or this:

alien_movie_monster_06.jpg



Was there any kitty hair in the area? Or liquid that burned like acid when touched? :confused:


I'm thinking a midget bear.....
 
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Sorry to end all the fun but I have figured out what it was.

All the people who said deer are correct!
I went for a walk to try and see if I could find tracks in the snow. I found some and started following them and after a while I found it's bed. I then followed the tracks leaving from the bed and 15ft from the old scrape was a brand new one. He must of made it this morning. I'm going to start hunting him with a camera and see just how big he is.
Thanks for all the replies.


Nechako
 
If you closely examine near the top of the picture you can see 4 distinct claw marks evenly spaced apart. Bears have 5 claws...cougar have 4. Likely what it is but all the scrutiny by everyone will probably not positively identify it unless it is actually seen.
 
Nechako said:
Sorry to end all the fun but I have figured out what it was.

All the people who said deer are correct!
I went for a walk to try and see if I could find tracks in the snow. I found some and started following them and after a while I found it's bed. I then followed the tracks leaving from the bed and 15ft from the old scrape was a brand new one. He must of made it this morning. I'm going to start hunting him with a camera and see just how big he is.
Thanks for all the replies.


Nechako
Click to expand...

A "scrape" is made by the deers hooves on the ground... a "rub" is made by the deers antlers on a tree or brush. Both the deers feet and head have scent glands that deposit scent in these distinctive markers. When you find a scrape often times there will be a licking branch above it. The licking branch is used to deposit scent from glands around the deers mouth and eyes.
Just thought you would want to know some deer facts Nechako.:)
 
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