Tracking a bear.

While out tracking I heard a snowmobile drive up and down the park road. A short time later I came across some very fresh black bear tracks. The machine had apparently frightened the animals and got them moving even though it was midday.

Above and below are rear tracks of the bear. Note the explosion of snow in front of the track above caused by the speed of the animal.

A front track, about 5 inches wide.

The bear and two dear used the same get away trail to escape the snow machines. All were moving at great speed. The bear sometimes moved through brush so thick I could barely walk yet it was running in a gallop.

Another demonstration of the speed at which the bear was moving.

Later I stopped to rest and heard the bear crash through the brush not to far from me. I tracked it and found it had doubled back on itself and must have heard me coming up to meet him or her. I had thought it long gone. In Connecticut we don’t see a lot of bears so it was a thrill to me to be in the woods with one.

Andy