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We share the trails whether we know it or not

By Shellie AnnePosted July 26, 2013

LET'S KEEP THEM WILD!

Read on to see a few of the animals we captured on camera after placing a "Trail Cam" at James River State Park.

BACKGROUND

I am a member of a Virginia Master Naturalist BRFAL Chapter and one of our Citizen Scientist Projects is the Smithsonian Institute's eMammal Study. Visit eMammal on Facebook here, and see 206,340 more "camera trap" images from AROUND THE WORLD here.

I was thought it was so cool that I decided it would be fun to put out a trail cam on our property, and take it with us on vacation to our favorite Virginia State Parks. You can buy them at your local big box store or sporting goods store in the hunting department.

After afixing the trail cam to a tree or other sturdy surfae we just hit ON and go

After affixing the trail cam to a tree or other sturdy surface we just click ON and go. It will detect movement via infrared and take three shots in a row (night time has a flash)

Now race out of view of the camera

Time to race out of camera view (placing it along a trail will increase the opportunity for a great capture! Wildlife, like humans, will take the least path of resistance)

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) tells us:

While the highest concentration of bears occurs in the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains and around the Great Dismal Swamp, bears can be seen just about anywhere in Virginia. According to data from recreational sightings, hunter harvest, road kills, and VDGIF field staff, bears occur in at least 92 of Virginia's 98 counties and cities.

Black bears capture human admiration and interest like few other wildlife species. Citizens,

communities, local governments, and VDGIF share the responsibility in preventing problems and keeping bears wild.

Remember "Deliberate & Inadvertent Feeding of Bears is Illegal!"

I see the word inadvertent and I think about the state park goers who tossed their garbage, broken swim ring and cooler outside the bear-proof (or supposed-to-be bear proof garbage bins). What the heck were they thinking? Another time we found a bag stuck half-way in the door (perhaps a young child was tasked with taking out the trash?) with breakfast syrup dripping down the plastic bag onto the container.

Dumpster diving is a specialty of bears hanging around people

Dumpster diving is a specialty of black bears at this campground. Notice the time stamp? It waited all day and just couldn't fight the cravings any longer!

The red camera flash caught this bear's attention

The camera's automatic red flash caught this bear's attention

Looks like she is eating for two, or three!

It appears she is eating for two, or three!

She heads over to find what snacks are available

If You Encounter a Bear While Camping:

Do not store food, garbage, or toiletries in your tent!
Keep your camp clean.
Store your food safely. Use bear-proof containers. Metal ammunition cans ($10-20) and Bear Canisters (approximately $50-60) are easily packed and transported.
Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of all food smells.
Store the clothes you wore while cooking or eating with your food.
Burn all grease off grills and camp stoves.
Wipe table and clean eating area thoroughly.
Store food and coolers suspended from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and four feet out from the tree trunk.
Dispose of garbage properly. Secure it with your food and then pack it out.
Do not burn or bury the garbage.
Sleep away from food areas. Move some distance away from your cooking area or food-storage site.
Store toiletries with your food; the smell of toiletries may attract bears. Scents and use of perfume or cologne is sometimes an attractant to bears.

A Bear Outside Your Tent:

If you hear a bear or other animal outside your tent make sure it is aware that there is a human inside by using a firm monotone voice. Turn on a flashlight or lantern. If the bear enters the tent fight back and yell. Many bears have been driven off this way.

If You Encounter a Bear While Hiking:

Hiking at dawn or dusk may increase your chances of meeting a bear.
Use extra caution in places where hearing or visibility is limited, such as brushy areas, near streams, where trails round a bend and on windy days.
Reduce your chances of surprising a bear on the trail by making noise, talking or singing.
Make sure children are close to you or within your sight at all times.
Leave your dog at home or have it on a leash (dogs are required to be on a leash no longer than six feet at any and every Virginia State Park).

Learn more about Virginia's black bears here

Saw this fella as well...at James River State Park

Seeing this little bandit brought back every Disney movie I had ever seen growing up!

We attempted a few different locations over different nights to see what we could come up with. Severe thunderstorms kept rolling in, and we wondered if we could capture anything at all! I won't bore you with the squirrel photos. After speaking to park staff member Vickie Thomas, she recommended placing it near the main dumpster.

DON'T FORGET TO ASK

If you consider using a trail cam at a Virginia State Park, please ask permission before doing so. I spoke to Nancy Heltman (State Parks Visitor Services Manager) before giving this a shot to see what we could find!

DGIF ALWAYS TELLS US

"REMEMBER IF YOU LIVE IN VIRGINIA, YOU LIVE IN BEAR COUNTRY!"

PARKS

James River State Park