On a recent hike close to home, we came upon a bear scratch tree. Bears use trees to mark territory and also to scratch their backs. They both bite and claw the tree. This marking was new because the sap was still bleeding where the bear had damaged the bark. We've seen paw prints and scat on our property but so far this summer, haven't seen a bear. The new tree marking makes us more alert to predators roaming where we roam. Black bears usually try to avoid conflict. I've had several close encounters, and the bears never showed aggression, though in one instance a huge male bear was too close and too curious. I don't want to encounter a mother with cubs. I like seeing bears, but only when I'm inside and they're outside.
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