what marked this tree
 

Found this tree two yrs. Ago after deer season.
But I don't think it was a deer?
Its on a white pine I think.
We have been having a few bears hanging around
And this tree if you look close has what looks to me
Like bite marks?
What due you guys think, I am no bear hunter.yet.

Looks like Claw Marks.....I'm guessing a Bear or even a good size Bobcat?

it kinda looks like there might be some old marks higher up, hard to tell for sure with pic . but perhaps a mtn lion?I've seen some scramble up a tree and tear it up pretty good. never quite like that but who knows. :confused0024:

It was meant to be in your face. As a sign post
Because its wright on the edge of the woods.
Along a tractor road way.

deer is my guess, gouges seem too wide for bear claw marks.
RR

Bear in my opinion, it was a smaller one as the marks aren't that high...

I don't think they are bear claw marks. They usually mark their territory as high up on the tree or pole as they can reach. Big bear equals tall marks: "I'm big. Stay out of my territory". Also the spacing between the claw marks is pretty uniform and you can count all 5 claws. They look like tine marks to me. Right height too.

You don't mention where your hunting or the area your from which would narrow it down some. I 've seen plenty bears where I hunt and those same marks. No bobcats around either. So I'm voting Bear.
Some places they don't grow that big. Looks like about 5' to the upper mark.

Up state NY. I have had my bird feeders smashed 3-5 time's a yr.
From big and little bears.
The deer around me don't as a rule pick on
Such a big tree , or a pine tree. They seen to like
Smaller trees that can bend as they push there head
Into them. White birch / spruce / poison shumac
We have Bob cats.

That folks is a whitetail with some fairly close together brow tines from the looks of it. Pretty hefty fellow from the depth of those center scrawls.

Bear markings are rarely, if ever that straight up and down. They tends to lean more diagonally across the tree. You may also note the up and down marks beside to the right of the main gash.

That sir is from a well grown mature buck. I'd have to guess him to be quite a large specimen. And since that tree appears to be of a larger diameter, that in itself tells me of the deer's size. He's basically telling the other deer around there that he's a friggin beast and open to ALL challengers.