Thanks for writing! I appreciate knowing about the values of an aesthetician who cares about the customer! I probably won’t be in Rochester for a while, but it’s great to hear from you!

Warmly,
Karen

Thanks for taking time to do some research on my puzzeling scratch marks on the tree. The crazy thing about the marks is that you can see a paw print in the shorter scratches. I guess I’ll probably never know for sure but did want to get your thoughts on the fact that they do seem to appear each Spring. Sadly they are starting to develop the area and our nice secluded cabin will no longer sit alone. I’m sure that the wildlife in the area will also began to dissapear as more people come into the area. Makes me sad. Nothing is more relaxing than a cup of coffee at sunrise on the upper deck just taking in the sights and sounds of nature and the lake. Thanks again.

Kim

Kim

This morning I had a chance to do a little more research, and came across this info about cougar scratch marks:
“Like house cats scratching furniture, cougars mark their territory boundaries by leaving claw marks on trees, stumps, and occasionally fence posts. Claw marks left by an adult cougar will be 4 to 8 feet above the ground and consist of long, deep, parallel scratches running almost vertically down the trunk. These gashes rarely take off much bark; tree-clawing that removes much bark is probably the work of a bear. (Bobcat claw marks are normally 2 to 3 feet above the ground; domestic cat scratching occurs at a height of about 1½ to 2 feet).” Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/cougars.htm

I hope that will help! So those thin scratch marks I showed you before are from cougars, whereas deeper marks are more likely from a bear.

Cougars do compete for territory with wolves. I don’t know if the smell of your dog might be similar to the smell of a wolf and could therefore cause a cougar to make the markings.

I wondered if the spring scratches would be typical for a bear coming out of hibernation, but found this info about bear markings:
“Males tend to mark trees before and during breeding season and females tend to make mark at the end of summer and fall.” Source: http://www.bearden.org/Bear%20Facts/Anatomy%20&%20Behavior.htm
The height of bear scratches depends on the size of the bear but is often between 5 and 7 feet; so this is within the height of cougar scratching and not helpful for identification!

In conclusion, if the new marks are quite thin scratches, I would tend to think they are from a male cougar. Have you looked around for any other signs of cougar activity and territory-marking? They often scratch up a pile of dirt and urinate on it, or heap leaves and other debris to make a “post” that they mark with their urine and feces.

Happy spring, and happy tracking!

Warmly,
Karen

Thanks for writing. I’m sorry, I don’t know the ins and outs of feeds. If I figure it out I’ll let you know! Good luck with your concert in San Francisco.

Warmly,
Karen

-Bruno

Thanks for writing! It’s great to hear from you again. Interesting that the new tree markings are an annual event, which does seem to indicate some kind of cyclical animal behavior. I’m going to check with my experienced bush-whacking friends, and will post another reply after we discuss the matter!

Warm regards,
Karen

The Donksquatch is a new one to me! I’ll be seeing some friends from Saltspring this weekend, and I’m definitely going to see if I can get some corroboration for this bizarre story!

Karen

Have you ever heard of the Donksquatch before?

I tried submitting a post yesterday but it didn’t seem to show up so I appologize if you get this twice. I am still trying to figure out the puzzeling marks on our tree also. Was wondering what your thoughts were. Each year we seem to get more marks on the tree in the spring. This spring was no different. This is the third time we’ve gotten marks on the same tree. I haven’t been able to find anyone that can give me some kind of answer to what could be making them. I am still convinced it is a male cougar but have yet to find anyone that has knowledge enough to give me some answers. The marks on our tree are very different from those shown above. Any help you might be able to offer would be appreciated. I enjoy reading posts on your website. It is so nicely put together. Kim