mysterious Bear Peel

[KillBilly]

First off, This is the first time I have seen a Bear peeled Spruce and both of them are good sized trees.
First tree, notice how the ground has been dug up around the roots. Probably after bugs and grubs


In the next pics, notice the cambiem layer has been devoured but there are no defined canines with smaller teeth in between as usual.



The second tree is much the same, obviously same bear. Both trees were peeled on 2 sides but not girdled





Most of the "teeth marks?" are 3/8 to 1/2 inch wide with no defined smaller teeth as usually seen. I can't figure this one out, so have it.

[D-Rock425]

I found some peels about that size this year when I was hunting in the Monroe unit with my spring permit

[KillBilly]

I found some peels about that size this year when I was hunting in the Monroe unit with my spring permit

On Spruce trees?

[rasbo]

dont look like bear work to me,what did it I dont know..I dont see incisor marks like on these,looks like chewing and gnawing..from stripping

[runamuk]

Last year I also found a huge couple of spruces peeled like that never did figure out what did it still wish I had a trail cam the area was an animal highway...I may have some crappy pics stored in my phone......but they looked an awful lot like what you posted Killbilly ...

[ICEMAN]

Al, on your second example tree, is that an old chew/scrape to the left? Maybe a repeat performer...? 

[billythekidrock]

You must be getting old and forgetful. You have seen large Spruce peeled before. We used to see it pretty regular heading over from the rez side. And we have seen it in the “flat”.

I am sure it is bear. He was just getting’ after it pretty good. I see incisor marks running up and down and I also see some running sideways causing the fraying effect. I think the photo is a bit bright and it washes out some detail. When I put it in photoshop and adjust the colors I can see a lot more detail.

I think the digging is a byproduct of peeling the roots.

[saylean]

Maybe the bear is missing the smaller teeth? My spring bear last year didnt have upper front teeth showing...but the other teeth were in fairly good shape...Perhaps a really busy spring bear damaging trees has quicker wear and tear on those top teeth than normal.

[spikehunter]

 How come u have a camera in your hand and not handgun

[Michelle_Nelson]

saylean I think you bear was just into some boxing.   

[klickitat]

Porcupine. You can see the gap between the teeth in the stripping marks. Porcupine also love spruce.

[saylean]

saylean I think you bear was just into some boxing.   

Thats really how I got him...

KO in the 5th round.

[KillBilly]

Al, on your second example tree, is that an old chew/scrape to the left? Maybe a repeat performer...? 

It looks like an older peel for sure. We were more focused on the lack of what we considered the usual teeth marks we see on most peels.

[KillBilly]

You must be getting old and forgetful. You have seen large Spruce peeled before. We used to see it pretty regular heading over from the rez side. And we have seen it in the “flat”.

I am sure it is bear. He was just getting’ after it pretty good. I see incisor marks running up and down and I also see some running sideways causing the fraying effect. I think the photo is a bit bright and it washes out some detail. When I put it in photoshop and adjust the colors I can see a lot more detail.

I think the digging is a byproduct of peeling the roots.

Ya you go ahead and bring up the age thing.... Maybe I don't remember that I saw spruce peeled before but I still have some issues with lack of the usual teeth marks.

[johnsc6]

The peeling on th roots is common, not grubbing, thr bark on the roots is thinner therefore easier to get to. Spruce though that's odd, but I've seen hemlock, alder, cherry, white fir and cedars peeled as well as the favored doug fir