Bigtex Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 (edited) It's possible, and other types of pliers or other tools also, but who carries these items in their backpack? The one above doesn't look like i has like it has the tips needed to make the flat impressions though. My thoughts are human, but I keep asking myself why take the time to dent the film canister? The only thing that makes any since is a warning or premeditated thought that it would create this mystery. One thing is for sure.......the camera CAN get a candid shot of something. I've got another night planned staying nearby all night, and will see what happens then:) Edited November 17, 2014 by Bigtex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanV Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Hi Bigtex, Please take a partner out with you. The whole situation is bizarre and calls for extreme caution on your part. I don't like the idea of someone listening to your plans and trying to prank/warn you, or poachers in your research area. And I can't be comfortable with BF as the culprit. Opening the camera is just too sophisticated. Have you checked out the area (in daylight) where you spotted what appeared to be poachers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtex Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 I totally agree JanV, and very much appreciate the concern! I will be taking a good buddy & X Navy Seal with me, nothing seems to bother or scare that man, he's very good in the woods, and has a pistol permit:) Checked the area carefully in daytime, and it seemed that 1 or 2 individuals were in a textbook ambush position from the looks of it, located just in a tree line over looking a large open grassy area. The guy I was with saw the red light, I didn't, which was on the other side of the ravine we were on, approximately 100 yards away by Crow, much further on foot. and only saw the location looking through a Gen 3 night scope.......I saw at least one figure, but couldn't tell if it was a human. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtex Posted November 18, 2014 Author Share Posted November 18, 2014 (edited) One more detail of the Canister Case, and I believe this was done at night. I retrieved the gear early the next afternoon, including my audio rig that was set up nearby, even though it never got turned on (scroll back for the reason). The recorder was inside the fake log pictured, two mini-para mics, with 30' of cable each feeding out the hole in log, separated by approximately 30' up in nearby trees at about 10' high, and pointing towards the camera trap. Almost impossible to see the mics at night, even hard during the day up in the trees. The log is stealthy at night, but you would notice it during the day, and was sitting about 15' back from the camera-trap that night, with a clear line of sight. Notice the top lid of the log, and the drilled holes. I always cut fresh smaller limbs and stick them in to make it look living, and help blend in with the natural surroundings. When placed right next to a tree, it looks completely natural at night, and like it's part of the tree next to it. If someone had come during daytime the next morning, they would have seen the log, and taken the Compact Flash card out of the recorder......right? If you don't wanna be on film, I would think the same about audio. FYI......I have a night video camera that fits perfectly in the hole in the log, and is used for that purpose also, very light weight material to carry. Edited November 18, 2014 by Bigtex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtex Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 (edited) Here's a strange find........this is right off one of the BF Trails that I hike, and within 50 yards of where I had my game-cam located. I had never noticed before, but saw the fresh area dug up and went to investigate. I was looking at this because the area dug up was large, with a couple of large rocks dug out in the process. The picture doesn't show just how large this hole is. As I started examining more closely, couldn't see any blade or claw marks that would be left behind......then zap, and zap again, I was stung twice, this was a huge ground hornet nest dug up! Something was after the grubs I suppose, and must have happened the previous night when the near freezing weather would slow the hornets down. I wonder what type of animal did this, and must have been large due to the size & depth of the hole.........has anyone ever seen this animal behavior before? You can't really see the hornets, as I was backing away from being stung, but there were 100's down in that hole surveying the damage and their missing hive. Edited November 24, 2014 by Bigtex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKH Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I've seen this. Skunk, bear, raccoon, possum, armadillo, etc. will do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtex Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Thanks JKH........I figured, but hadn't seen this behavior before. I'm thinking a bigger animal due to the size of the hole........are they after the grubs? Maybe the Bears are (finally) back in this area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKH Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Grubs, yes...can't post due to bad language, but go find the honey badger on Ytube for a laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtex Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 I was thinking a Badger myself, we have them down here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWWASAS Posted November 24, 2014 BFF Patron Share Posted November 24, 2014 Reminds me of an account that Barb Shupe (Squatching with Barb and Gabby) gave at the Sasquatch Summit. She was stung by hornets one day when she was in her research area. The next morning an empty hornets nest was placed at her gifting tree location. Bigtex, if an empty hornets nest shows up, you know the big guys consider you a friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtex Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 Here's an interesting impression I found the other day..........also, a natural & unnatural Deer kill. The latter is a recent kill with a human touch for sure, picture of the skin nearby, and even more reason to stay out of the area for a while. I've got a new area I've been anxious to start hiking, and have been waiting for cooler weather and some rain........was over there the other day, and looks very promising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtex Posted December 1, 2014 Author Share Posted December 1, 2014 Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Great hiking weather over the Holiday, and some re-visits. Went back over to one of the alleged BF Trails, and looked at the ground hornets nest again. What took me over there was finding an area along the same trail, over a mile away from the nest, where something had taken most of the nest and had a little feast. For those of you that have seen this animal behavior before, how are the nest pieces with grubs usually eaten and how close to the nest does this occur? Found the nest pieces in one area that was flat and over looking a water source, great location for a rest 'n snack. The nest pieces did not have any chew marks, and all of the grubs were gone, like they were carefully picked out. Can you guys think of an animal that would not only be able to carry the nest pieces a distance, but also pick the grubs from the nest without damaging it? This area is also near where I had the game-cam set up a few weeks back, and found these two Deer, fresh from their miss adventure with humans the night before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigtex Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 You guys have been absolutely amazing, and I really appreciate the views and comments, it's been a wonderful journey........gonna miss you guys, I'm retiring:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanV Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Say it ain't so! I sent you a pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKH Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Aww, Tex, really? If so, it's understandable. All this you've done for years is time-consuming. Are you focusing on relocating to WA now? Best wishes for your future endeavors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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