Well, I have a few minutes on my day off before I head out in the drizzle to try for the big one. So, I thought I would run this by some of you. I know the guys on IW are some of the most experienced outdoorsman. I hunt in a very remote part of Jackson County. I went out to one of my stands and saw something that I have never seen. First of all I'm in a high traffic area for deer and have not been seeing much, I realize that by itself means nothing. I found a tree that has markings on it that are quite odd. They start at about two feet off the ground and are stair-stepped on either side of the tree, all the way to the top. The marks are about the size of your hand and fingers combined round. In the areas that have the marks the tree bark is mostly gone to the meat of the tree. Unfortunately, I can see what appears to be a few individual claw scratches. The tree is tall and does not have a branch for about twenty feet. The marks appear to go as high as the first branch. There is no way someone is using some sort of a climber on my land to make these, that I am certain. It is extremely thick vegetation that sits on top of a limestone bluff. My question is what is it????????? I obviously have some ideas but would like to hear some other opinions. Thanks, Hopefully I have described it well. Needless to say it is on my mind every time I am in my stand around dark!!!!!!!