Wildlife Caught on Camera - Volume 3

Much of North America is currently in the depths of winter, but that doesn’t mean you have to dwell on it. After sifting through thousands of trail camera photos and videos from the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch from last spring and summer, Boone and Crockett Fellow Chris Hansen pulled the very best to share. From itchy grizzlies to locked and loaded skunks, we aim to entertain. So pull up a chair for a wild reminder that spring and summer will eventually come back around. Make sure your sound is on for the last video! 

Ph.D. candidate and Boone and Crockett Fellow at the University of Montana Chris Hansen brings his girls (Maya and Tessa) along to help check the trail cameras. His research explores the conservation benefits of sustainable land use on mammal communities, specifically focusing on rangelands and urbanization. The map illustrates the sheer number of cameras placed around the TRM Ranch.

Want to see more wildlife in action? Six of the fifteen images have video available!

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1 of 15—Grizzly bear (Ursos arctos horribilis) 

While grizzlies might have an itch from time to time, the real reason they rub against trees is to communicate with other bears. Most times, male bears are on the hunt for breeding females, and the same trees can be used for generations. This is the third year in a row for grizzlies on this tree. 

2 of 15—Elk (Cervus canadensis)  

Elk will typically give birth to their calves during the first two weeks of June. After that, it’s all about packing on the pounds and moving in on the trail camera for a close up. 

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3 of 15—Mountain lion (Puma concolor) 

Always looking for a meal, this lion doesn’t appear to have missed very many. 

4 of 15—Grizzly bear (Ursos arctos horribilis) 

Because cow elk give birth in early June, grizzlies do their best to track down a few fresh ones for a snack.
 

5 of 15—Elk  (Cervus canadensis) 

If those elk calves survive hungry grizzlies, wolves, lions, and brutal winters, they can grow into bulls that get a little curious about new technology. 

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6 of 15—Grizzly bear (Ursos arctos horribilis) 

If you ever see a grizzly this close in person, I’m afraid it’s too late. You can almost smell the carrion on its rot breath.

7 of 15--Moose (Alces alces) 

This moose is likely on the tail-end of the rut and completely exhausted from fighting (or running away from) other bulls.

8 of 15—Whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

A nice whitetail buck sneaks through the aspen, and it knows exactly where the camera is.

9 of 15—Elk (Cervus canadensis)

A couple of elk come looking for coffee refills at a cabin on the TRM Ranch. 

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10 of 15—Racoon (Procyon lotor)

Spotting a racoon outside of a barn or neighborhood in Montana is truly a rare sight. They much prefer table scraps and would rather contend with Fido than a pack of wolves on the Rocky Mountain Front. Apparently, this guy didn’t get the memo about staying in town.

11 of 15—Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) 

When you’re this low on the food chain, it’s good to walk around locked and loaded.

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12 of 15—American badger (Taxidea taxus)

A little less elusive than skunks but way more ornery, badgers are stout and compact, allowing them to burrow underground and feast on other burrowing animals. 

13 of 15—Human, trusty horse and man’s best friend 

The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch is a working cattle ranch smack dab in prime wildlife habitat along Dupuyer Creek on the East Front of the Montana Rockies. Occasionally, the trail cams will record another side of the wild life here. 

14 of 15—Grizzly bear (Ursos arctos horribilis)

Ranch managers have to contend with the locals, some of whom don’t seem concerned about fences.

15 of 15—Elk (Cervus canadensis)

Speaking of locals and fences, this is nearly four minutes of elk cows and cows jumping, scooting under and otherwise negotiating one fence on the ranch. Some of them get rather creative. Make sure the volume is turned up!

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All images and associated video © 2021 The University of Montana