animal sign tree scratching

[dadzilla]

These scratches have appeared in the past week. A large cedar on our property in Freestone county Texas I am wondering if any one here might have a suggestion as to what might be doing this? I have seen this once before about 3 years ago on the same property on a differant tree. Have sent picture to TPW biologist for help determining want did this and will post any answers I get back from them.Dad (in the picture) is 6 foot tall.
Thanks
Danny

 

[shaun7]

Big cat?

 

[lonesomebob]

If you were in Mi, I would suspect one whopping big buck deer. Bob

 

[Ray S S]

Is there anymore sign higher up, or is that as high as it goes?

Ray

 

[vayank54]

If it isn't deep and just the bark is rubbed off it was buck rubbing his antlers. If it's deeper than it was probably a bear. From the pic I'll go with the deer.

 

[dadzilla]

If it isn't deep and just the bark is rubbed off it was buck rubbing his antlers. If it's deeper than it was probably a bear. From the pic I'll go with the deer.

More scratches higher up tree, looks like maybe some of the scratches are 1/8" deep.
The tree is scratched on all sides starting about a foot of the ground up to 6 or 7 foot with a few more scratched up higher

 

[vayank54]

Well I guess being scratched that high leaves out a buck doesn't it. I guess it would have to be a bear or big cat.

 

[NaturalJWL]

You folks do know that squirrels will strip cedar bark for their nest don;t you, especially when it gets colder.

 

[lumbercamp]

Deer don't rub trees that large. Looks like a black bear marking its territory by clawing at the bark.

 

[lonesomebob]

If it is that big,maybe a telephoto lense and a long shutter string. hehehe

 

[dadzilla]

do you have bear or mountain lion in your area? I tried to find out but couldn't find anything... I'd still say set up a wildlife camera...would be cool to find out what it is on film. Animal should return.

I spoke with TPW district wildlife biologist yesterday he said bears are moving back into Texas from Arkansas and Louisanna but none have been sighted this far East except for far southwest Texas has a growing population of black bear and Cougar.
There are some cougar here , there have been a few sightings the past few years none confirmed. I have seen their tracks on our other place in the Trinity river bottom about 10 miles away. I know squirrels strip cedar bark for nest but this is outrageous it has scratch all the way round. I really think it is a big Cat My mother thinks she heard one scream a few nights ago. If I find more signs or info from TPW I will post.

 

[Tank69]

I'd say you got a bear or mountain lion normaly if you find fur in the bark its a bear if no hair its a montain lion , but being that far up I'd lay my money on a bear .