Any tracker type people out there?

[Topcat02]

Hi All,

Whilst exploring the local woods last weekend, I came across the following.

At the base of a tree was a "scraped away" area, about 12" in diameter. That is to say all the foilage had been scraped away until it was just earth.

On the tree from about 3" to a height of about 24" were areas where the bark had either been scraped or scratched away.

I do have some pictures but they arent particularly helpful. My guesses are that it might be a Deer scratching post, some kind of bird roost, perhaps?, or maybe some feline scratching post.

Any ideas?

TC

[directdrive]

Do you all have deer in those woods? What you've described sounds very much like a "scrape" (the cleared earth area) and a "rub" the scratched up bark on the tree. The "scrape" is a sign-post left by a buck. He will scrape away the leaves and other debris on the ground and then urinate in that spot. It is both a signal to hot does and a warning to other bucks. The "rub" is a place on a tree where the buck works his antlers and thrusts against the tree. This is something bucks do that strengthens their neck muscles for the combat with other bucks that will come during the "rut" or mating season. Of course, since I can't see it, I can't tell. Best, Bruce

[2blackcat]

Don't rabbits and rodents work at that height?
IIRC they try to get to the inner bark at this time of year

A bit early to be warming up for the rut?

Were there any teeth marks? Size? Velvet?

This could always be moved to the tracking section by a nice mod?

Geoffrey or Ian will give a lot better answers than I ever could

[philaw]

Wild boar dig the ground up.

[Buckshot]

At that height it's likely to be a Roe deer marking.
I'm assuming it's a sapling rather than a full grown tree, deer will rub small trees they can get thier antlers around. When the antler is formed the velvet surrounding the bone and supplying it with blood dries out and seems to irritate the deer. It's thought that scraping the antler over saplings rubs the tatty velvet off and gives some relief to the poor buck. Later on when he's trying to show off to the local females he will also vent his hormones on a sapling he's sure he can beat up, scraping his feet at the base of it as well.
You tend to find more of these signs where there isn't a dominant buck in the area and so several younger bucks are trying to jostle for the position - that's why it's advisable to leave 1 dominant male to oversee the others, less tree damage for the farmer.
The fraying on the tree is quite low compared to the size of deer (all deer with antlers fray if there are trees about). If you think about it, the deer has to lower his head so that the antlers (which are postioned by his ears) are facing forward. To do this his head needs to be nearly level with his shoulders or even a bit lower perhaps. This means the fray marks are lower on the tree than you might expect but it is possible to identify the species of deer from the type and hieght of the fray on the tree.

Hope this helps

Mark

[Ed]

This could always be moved to the tracking section by a nice mod?

Done

Ed