Look For Skunk Cabbage - Spring's First Bears

 

I’ve been busy this week setting camera traps. Skunk cabbage has started to sprout in Massachusetts. This will typically be the first greens a bear will eat. Find a skunk cabbage patch and look for chewed leaves and you have located an ideal spot for a camera trap set. Skunk cabbage can be found in wetlands, where the Spring sun’s rays have warmed the area.

I have a few new locations that camera traps have been set.  I have expanded my trapping area to encompass more bear habitat. More area will hopefully mean more bears. With the anticipation of spring:

1)    When will the first bear trigger a 2023 camera trap. Last year it was March 18th.

2)    Will there be any sows with four cubs?

3)    How many collared study bears will be seen this year?

4)    Will camera traps capture any out of state bears?

5)    Last year was the first year seeing a “Cinnamon Colored Bear” how about this year?

Jim

Closeup, bear bites in skunk cabbage leaf.

This is one plump bear !!!

Video from a few years ago.

Won't Be Long For Massachusetts Bears

 

Snow last Monday in central Massachusetts certainly put a damper on hiking and setting out trail cameras. My town received twenty inches!! It would have been good snowshoeing weather, I didn’t want to chance a worn path directly to my camera traps.

I was able to start setting camera traps for “ Bears “ the last few days. Lost Pond and Scat Swamp are good to go. Its going to be a warm week and I should be able to reach my other bear hot spots.

The fisher scent post continues to be active. The frequency of activity so far has been ten fishers that have triggered the trail camera. Reviewing the footage suggests that three different males and two different females have visited this scent post location in March. I’ll keep tally and will share the results when activity at the post slows down.

The cover picture is a set at Lost Pond. Over the winter, bobcats, coyotes and raccoons crossed that log on a regular basis. I’m hoping bears will also use it.

Ticks are out!!! Be sure to treat your cloths.

 

Jim