How much would you guesstimate his/her weight ?

[Water Rat]

This is only the third photos of bears I've gotten on my trail cameras. I'm guessing that their two different bears. Thanks in advance.

[mowin]

Looks like different bears to me.  Both decent sized, but the second one looks bigger.  

What's in the V of the tree in the second pic? 

[Bucksnbows]

Black bears remain the hardest of all North American big game to judge, and only seeing on photo never does them Justice. First bear is mature, but not too large as far as weight. Second bear looks around the 300 mark, but I’d like to see a side shot and see it’s belly and overall length. 

[virgil]

What's wedged in between the two tree trunks in the second picture?  It's not there in the first one.

[Lawdwaz]

17 minutes ago, virgil said:

What's wedged in between the two tree trunks in the second picture?  It's not there in the first one.

Emphasized

[2BuckBizCT]

42 minutes ago, mowin said:

Looks like different bears to me.  Both decent sized, but the second one looks bigger.  

What's in the V of the tree in the second pic? 

Bait considering the trail cam is named baitpile? a carcass?

Edited August 21, 2023 by 2BuckBizCT

[mowin]

2 minutes ago, 2BuckBizCT said:

Bait considering the trail cam is named baitpile? a carcass?

I didn't notice that... 

[virgil]

39 minutes ago, 2BuckBizCT said:

Bait considering the trail cam is named baitpile? a carcass?

Ahh.  That makes sense- i didn't notice that.

[Water Rat]

I was surprised that the bear didn't destroy my bait pile.  There's a green wire garden fence surrounding the tree.  I put venison scraps and outdated meat from my freezer in between the fence and the tree so nothing can carry the food off. If they want a free meal , they have to get their photo taken. I do this to get an idea of what predators are in the general area that I hunt and trap. I've gotten plenty of coyotes , foxes ,bobcats , turkey vultures , coons and opossums on this trail camera , but only one bear cub. My heart skipped a beat when I saw these guys.

[2BuckBizCT]

2 minutes ago, Water Rat said:

I was surprised that the bear didn't destroy my bait pile.  There's a green wire garden fence surrounding the tree.  I put venison scraps and outdated meat from my freezer in between the fence and the tree so nothing can carry the food off. If they want a free meal , they have to get their photo taken. I do this to get an idea of what predators are in the general area that I hunt and trap. I've gotten plenty of coyotes , foxes ,bobcats , turkey vultures , coons and opossums on this trail camera , but only one bear cub. My heart skipped a beat when I saw these guys.

I forget- are you in putnam or dutchess? I got 3 bear pics this year in putnam (3N)- 1 adult and 2 cubs. I've also seen pics of more than ever before in 3N. The population is certainly growing

[Water Rat]

1 minute ago, 2BuckBizCT said:

I forget- are you in putnam or dutchess? I got 3 bear pics this year in putnam (3N)- 1 adult and 2 cubs. I've also seen pics of more than ever before in 3N. The population is certainly growing

Dutchess county

[mowin]

28 minutes ago, Water Rat said:

I was surprised that the bear didn't destroy my bait pile.  There's a green wire garden fence surrounding the tree.  I put venison scraps and outdated meat from my freezer in between the fence and the tree so nothing can carry the food off. If they want a free meal , they have to get their photo taken. I do this to get an idea of what predators are in the general area that I hunt and trap. I've gotten plenty of coyotes , foxes ,bobcats , turkey vultures , coons and opossums on this trail camera , but only one bear cub. My heart skipped a beat when I saw these guys.

Not that I really care, but is that legal?  

[Water Rat]

11 minutes ago, mowin said:

Not that I really care, but is that legal?  

Good question......I don't know. 

As long as I'm not hunting or trapping over it I thought I'd be safe.  Anyone know for sure ?

[Water Rat]

12 minutes ago, Rusty said:

Similar to a carcass cam.  My buddy picks up roadkill deer and dumps them in front of a camera, he gets a lot of great pictures.   

I don't think that's legal in NY  (deer wise ) but I have no idea about NJ.

[mowin]

I'm not positive, but I think you can put out bait for coyotes, but I think only during the open season.  Can't actively bait deer or bear any time of year.