Originally Posted by Champlain Islander

The bear trees I have seen went much higher. They often mark their terrain and over time really rip up the whole side of a much larger tree like a hemlock. I have never seen a coon rub a tree but don't doubt they do since they climb them. I blew up the picture and pretty sure it is a deer rub. I can see a spot well above the initial rub where a tine caught the bark. the deer I have seen rubbing a tree tend to do that lower rather than head high on a tree.