The holes on the tree aresmall, like the hole a medium-sized nail would make in the wall. I understand, from rereading my description, why it does sound like gun shot, but it does not look like bullet holes. I put my trail camera out on it today and will get it in a couple of days. If I get something, I will definitely post it. Thanks for your help.

I have seen wood peckers tear trees up pretty bad, but that is a little more serious than I have seen.

No tracks around the area? How about claw marks farther up the tree? I am guessing perhaps a young bear or possibly a coyote chewing on it.

Looks like the work of a pileated woodpecker to me...Those things can really make the chips fly when they get going..

Looks like procupine damage to me , those peskey rodents like to chew on trees just as much as beavers do.

That looks like someone was shooting guns at the tree.. 3-4 shots can really damage a tree.. if their were holes its pry bullets..

looks like a rub from "The tirdy point buck"

A Sailoronleave duringthe RUT...

Looks like pecker to me. The hole are from bugs. That is why it is torn all up.

Its not a beaver. I would guess a woodpecker but I have also seen damage like that caused from a porcupine. Did you find any shell casings or bullets in the tree's?