I have killed many a bear and have a couple close to 8ft mounted in the house, Those gouges go both up and down, And show no uniformity of the five claws, they can't just stick one finger out and rip. It is a big ol black tail buck, And have a few mashers of those mouned as well, with alot of knots and masher eye guards. also to close to the ground for a bear. Remember bears pop trees in the spring-early summer, when the cambium is flowing. This is why Ralph Flowers started the feeding program years ago in the spring and stopped when the berries ripened. To keep them off the tree's. The thought at the time, was it was a learned behavior. And if they could be fed and not pop, then that generation of cubs would not learn the popping technique. In areas with a lot of tree damage it showed signs f working. But at great expense. Big Blacktail
P.S boars in our temperate area of the westside do not hibernate long if at all. Prego sows have to, Babies are born hairless and just weigh ounces.

I might be able to get out after work on Thursday. That would afford me about a 3 hour sitting in view of the rub. I'm thinking I'll sit just inside the timber on the uphill side of the road. That would put me about 30 yards from the rub. Would it be worth it to get some blacktail estrus scent to spray around the tree a bit? Maybe drag a scent pad behind me on the walk in also? and maybe if nothing comes within a half hour of dark should I produce some subtle young buck grunts or a doe bleat?

It would be worth it for you to rattle and occasionaly grunt. but stay put for a bit before moving, There is still some rutting activity going on, mostely does that got missed....