Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: KillBilly on July 01, 2010, 05:31:43 PM

Title: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: KillBilly on July 01, 2010, 05:31:43 PM: 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(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FSpruce%2FDSC_0204.jpg&hash=614e3a63326bc62fe555d15a76751b97e0bf727a)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FSpruce%2FDSC_0194.jpg&hash=a0beb544f60496fec7adade54e25027bb49ae927)

In the next pics, notice the cambiem layer has been devoured but there are no defined canines with smaller teeth in between as usual.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FSpruce%2FDSC_0199.jpg&hash=29c6b6a5b46322acfbd07a477ba6d8ea11610209)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FSpruce%2FDSC_0202.jpg&hash=24860b8ac1d26bcf2f6ed952ca29f308177d43c6)

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

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FSpruce%2FDSC_0208.jpg&hash=9f32e933f563460673b04713a7505dca6c40ab3b)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FSpruce%2FDSC_0212.jpg&hash=5285339b41ca81cd21f4ba64a694dd1742a773ac)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi289.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll238%2FHannibal47%2FSpruce%2FDSC_0214.jpg&hash=b13b7b8e560144df6d502200c371ca3c0c136f41)

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.
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: D-Rock425 on July 01, 2010, 05:36:30 PM: I found some peels about that size this year when I was hunting in the Monroe unit with my spring permit
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: KillBilly on July 01, 2010, 05:40:04 PM: Quote from: D-Rock425 on July 01, 2010, 05:36:30 PM
I found some peels about that size this year when I was hunting in the Monroe unit with my spring permit

On Spruce trees?
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: rasbo on July 01, 2010, 05:46:24 PM: 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
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: runamuk on July 01, 2010, 05:50:59 PM: 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 ...
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: ICEMAN on July 01, 2010, 08:55:13 PM: Al, on your second example tree, is that an old chew/scrape to the left? Maybe a repeat performer...? :dunno:
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: billythekidrock on July 02, 2010, 06:08:12 AM: 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.
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: saylean on July 02, 2010, 05:00:50 PM: 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. :dunno:
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: spikehunter on July 02, 2010, 05:16:13 PM: How come u have a camera in your hand and not handgun :chuckle:
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on July 02, 2010, 05:22:44 PM: saylean I think you bear was just into some boxing. :chuckle:
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: klickitat on July 02, 2010, 06:24:40 PM: Porcupine. You can see the gap between the teeth in the stripping marks. Porcupine also love spruce.
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: saylean on July 02, 2010, 07:22:39 PM: Quote from: Michelle_Nelson on July 02, 2010, 05:22:44 PM
saylean I think you bear was just into some boxing. :chuckle:

Thats really how I got him...

KO in the 5th round.
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: KillBilly on July 02, 2010, 08:02:28 PM: Quote from: ICEMAN on July 01, 2010, 08:55:13 PM
Al, on your second example tree, is that an old chew/scrape to the left? Maybe a repeat performer...? :dunno:

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.
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: KillBilly on July 02, 2010, 08:05:17 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on July 02, 2010, 06:08:12 AM
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.... :chuckle: Maybe I don't remember that I saw spruce peeled before but I still have some issues with lack of the usual teeth marks.
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: johnsc6 on July 04, 2010, 11:19:26 AM: 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
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: klickitat on July 04, 2010, 01:32:05 PM: Am I the only one who thinks that those are from a porcupine? Look at how low the peel is and the striation on the marks.
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: mrgoodwrench on August 07, 2010, 06:06:50 PM: Looks like bear to me. Porcupine usually peel smaller diameter trees and peel nearly the whole stem. Bears peeling spruce is actually very common, I see them hit spruce and only spruce in the Kalaloch area every year when the spruce is the only one that has the sap running. They are usually only peeling one species at a time because that is the species that is prime at that time of year. Digging and peeling the roots happens regularly too. They tell you that 20+- year timber is where all the peeling is but the peeling is usually where the bear are. In areas on the ONF that is old growth I've seen them peel four foot plus white fir, and they hit the same trees year after year like one of the photos that was posted.
Title: Re: mysterious Bear Peel
Post by: willipa on August 08, 2010, 10:45:04 AM: it is a porkypine for sure! i have that same stuff on my land i get to hunt. if you ever get one look at its teeth it uses it front two to peel the bark away and get the good stuff off the tree.