Bald Mountain North Unit

[back2spool]

Was hiking back there and saw what I thought were trees that had been grazed by .22's. Did some reading and found out that bears often leave marks on trees that are mistaken for bullet holes. They are found at about 48"-to 50" inches up on a trunk. Which is where the ones I saw were. Anyone know if there is bear back there? It is a lot of acreage, but I just don't know.

Also, saw a lot of (what I believed were) badger footprints, but I have never seen one.

Any input?

[back2spool]

I failed to mention that I was talking about Bald Mountain in Oakland County!

[mydogisscout]

Bears are such reclusive animals, it wouldn't suprize me a bit. the best thing you can do is set a trail cam on site, maybe sweeten the area with a bit of molasses just to get him into camera range. there was a sighting a few years back in the clarkston area, one hit in Genesee county just north of Flint on I-75, and I have personally found sign near the river in Frankenmuth.

[sean]

I would highly doubt it would be a bear, but you never know. You know how it is on state land though, people think if your out hunting and dont shoot your gun then you have to shoot something, like signs, trees, etc.:rolleyes:

[Quadd4]

Could the marks been made from a climbing treestand? I know mine can gouge the bark up a little bit.

I also doubt it was a bear, but like sean said "you never know"!

[back2spool]

I suppose a number of things could have caused what I saw, I guess it was just weird that I was like, "Hmmm, looks like a .22 grazed it." Then I go read this book that says that "bears often make marks that look like a .22 may have grazed the tree."

It was just an eerie moment and I was like, no way!

[Wishn I was fishn]

Ther was a black bear killed on 75 in the city of flint last spring. So its possible. Although I still find it unlikely.

[Happy Jack]

I have hunted, trapped, fished and a lot of other stuff in Bld Mt. since the mid 60's. The house I grew up in boarded the land and where I live now it's 300 yds away. I would bet there are NO bears around and probably no Otters. Critters that were not around 15 yrs ago but are now would be turkey, yotes and beaver. If my beagle trees a bear I'll let you know. :)

[bigair]

Bear, not a chance. Cougar maybe.:rolleyes:

[jpphish]

The bear was sharpening it's claws on the tree to do battle with the pride of African lions that have set-up camp in the area. Both of them are fighting over a Mcdonald's bag tossed out the window by a passing Safari. Hope you see your bear?

[augustus0603]

A bear was seen and documented in Clarkston which is only ten miles from Bald Mountain. It very well could be.