Sunday, July 20, 2025

Moose Activity Increasing Soon

 


The snow in the photo above certainly looks inviting given the hot & humid summer so far. The photo is a video grab from a trail camera that has been in the field since last November. This TC captured nice moose footage over the winter.  https://youtu.be/6GkbfRcr9UY

The injured bear is still wandering around. More info to share in upcoming post.

Won’t be long before moose activity starts picking up. I’ve been moving and adjusting cameras last week.

 

Jim


Monday, July 14, 2025

Moose activity Picking Up

 


Just back from a week’s camping trip. Checked trail cameras this morning, got some daytime moose footage  Bears are busy eating wild berries, especially blueberries—found  eight piles of berry-filled bear scat while bushwhacking. Most trail cameras are set up at bear marking trees, but bear activity has dropped since mating season ended. Now I am preparing for the fall moose rut.

 

Jim


Saturday, July 5, 2025

Injured Black Bear Resilient !

 




One of my trail cameras recorded an injured sow on June 1st, with a male following her. The extent of her injuries became clearer when she appeared on a second trail camera on June 8th, revealing a top rump injury that could be road burn and a lower wound with a significant piece of flesh missing. It is possible the injuries resulted from a collision with a vehicle. On June 14th, the sow scent marked using her non-injured side, and on June 15th, she was videoed crossing a log bridge, showing agility despite her injuries. By July 3rd, footage from a fifth trail camera showed the wound healing and no apparent decline in her mobility or condition.

The reason for sharing this video is to show how resilient a black bear can be, Despite her injuries. She likely mated,  continued scent marking “ Gently rubbed on ritual scent marking trees, appears to still be foraging, and has put on miles wandering central Massachusetts. Hopefully, she continues healing and passes another TC to see her continued progress.

Jim

STOP – video graphic, showing injured bear!

https://youtu.be/L96iYigKDQg


Sunday, June 29, 2025

TC Slowed With HEAT!

 


Trail camera activity was minimal last week due to high temperatures. The cow moose with one calf remains in the vicinity, occasionally captured on camera as they pass by. Bear activity has decreased in several areas. Blueberries are about to ripen, which may increase bear activity in these regions.

Jim

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Eaglets Will Fledge Soon

 


Earlier this week, I went kayaking, caught a few fish, and took pictures of eaglets before they fledged. Bear activity at the scent marking trees is slowing as mating season winds down by the end of June. Deer flies require wearing a head net for woodland walks. Blueberries will soon be ripe, with bushes full due to the wet spring.

 

Jim



Saturday, June 14, 2025

Bear Encounter - What Would Of You Done ?

 

An eventful week in the woods.

This sow with cubs hasn’t been around in a while, ( Pic Above)  The cubs are getting big.

The video was a surprise. Likely not to see this again. https://youtu.be/_i1z-ahuzZo

 

 

While hiking behind a beaver pond, I met a sow and her yearling eating skunk cabbage near the trail. I didn't notice them until I heard loud tearing sounds. The bears were so focused on foraging skunk cabbage that they didn't hear me approaching. The incident lasted about twenty seconds, giving me time to decide what to do.

My first thought was "Oh crap!" as I never expected this! I was so close that sudden movement might startle the sow, who was just a short lunge away. I chose to freeze, hoping she would scent or see me and leave. She looked up at me in disbelief before bolting off, stopping thirty yards away and looking back for her cub. The yearling cub stayed by a small tree, watching me. I slowly backed away, and after a few steps, the yearling ran to its mother.

Thankfully, my decision worked out well. Let me know your thoughts . What would you have done ?   hikingcamera@aol.com

Jim


Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Moose Cow & Calf

 



Every year I hope to get at least one cow and calf video. Last year I struck out. Hopefully with this early capture they’ll be more to come.

Tc’s captured two pregnant cows earlier this year.

 


Jim