Bobcat Scratching Post
Bobcats, find it neccesary to scratch the bottom portion of trees just like house cats scratch furniture or a scratching post.
Bobcats do this to mark their territory but also to keep thier claws sharp. This is sometimes often accompanied by fecal remnants. I have noticed that they always choose a soft tree with smooth bark. Maples, Basswood, Red Cedar, young Elm and Cottonwood have all been preffered. They will also scratch the soil for the same purpose.
Many people would pass by these scratchings assuming that it was the more common Buck Rub, caused by male Deer. Closer examaination of a Bobcat scratch would reveal deep verticle scratches as a result of thier large claws.
So when walking through the woods look for these signs of Bobcat. As elusive as they are this is one way to see them without seeing them.
http://www.prairieworksinc.com/2007/11/13/bobcats/ November 2007 post about the status of Bobcats in Northwest Illinois
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