I placed a new trailcam at this location deep in the wilderness 24 hours before this video was taken. Via my first camera I had noticed a Canada Lynx using the log in the photos and video as scent post. Thus, I decided to place a second camera much closer to the downed tree.
When the Bull Moose walked by the following morning it immediately stopped for three minutes. While moose have horrible eyesight, their sense of smell and hearing is fantastic. Mr. Moose could tell a human had been present (i.e. me … 24 hours previously), and he was being very careful. This is one of the reasons I like a “headwind” when I hike. I tend to see more wildlife because animals can not smell or hear me. As a fyi, I had often noticed that moose walk up to within inches of my cameras.
Bull Moose Smells me in Sand Lake / 7 Beavers (Greenwood Creek Boreal Bog)
The second image and video were taken 3 minutes after the first image. My trailcam settings are set to take a photograph immediately upon sensing movement, and then start a 30 second video right after taking the image. The process continues assuming the motion sensor continues to get triggered.
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“This is one of the reasons I like a ‘headwind’ when I hike. I tend to see more wildlife because animals can not smell or hear me.”
If you ever make it to the Rockies, the North Cascades or Alsska, I encourage you to travel in the opposite direction. 😉
The second-best bear story I know involves my bear-whisperer wife and a brown/grizzly bear on a trail in our former Anchorage neighborhood. The bear was digging roots behind a cut bank and raised its head to look at her – the wind was blowing from her to the bear. He looked at her, she turned around and calmly left, and he went back to digging for roots. Later measured by me at forty yards …
Standard practice in brown/grizzly territory is to avoid approaching any ridge or hilltop from the downwind side. The best surprise is no surprise.
Thankfully no Grizzly Bears in Minnesota. Love your comment!