Elk Rub???

[Rtwing]

So we found what appears to be a rub. Starts about 2.5' off the ground and goes close to 7.5' up the tree. Tree torn all to pieces with up to 8" "strips" hanging off the trunk. Found two counties removed from restoration zone in a relatively thinly populated area.

Is it an elk? What else could have done this? No good tracks left to confirm what it was. No elk sightings in the area that we are aware of for two years now.

[trust me]

Sure sounds like it. They can rip off limbs up to 1 or 2 inches in diameter. 7.5' sounds like a mature bull.

Check the nearby seeps and springs for cattle-like tracks and wallows.

Bet it was in Red River area?

[Rtwing]

I'm not real familiar with the area, but my understanding is that its about 20 miles as the crow flies from the river. Probably not much of a distance for a wondering lovesick bull.

My guess is he was moving through in light of the fact no farmers in the area have been talking about seeing an elk while sippin on their morning coffee at the quickstop.

[CSS archer]

How big is the tree? I've seen deer rub 6 or 7 feet high when they can push the tree over... If it's the size of your leg or bigger then it's likely an elk, or a prankster...... I've messed with people before....

[Feedman]

What about a "Bear"???

[GSP]

Here is a pix of a small one. I was by myself so I could not give anything to compare against. It was wrung off about 6' high. Tree was probably 5" through. Taken in Perry county.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d48/ELKPIX/Im001126.jpg

[Rtwing]

A bear is possible but we didn't see any marks that looked like what I would presume claw marks would look like but hey, I am way out of my league when trying to identify bear and elk sign.

As for a whitetail, tree appeared too thick to have been ridden over. However, its fun to think of a whitetail that could have done it.