Wildlife Caught on Camera - Volume 5

With a mix of apex predators, big game, migratory songbirds, and a wide variety of small woodland creatures, the Boone and Crockett Club’s Theodore Roosevelt Memorial (TRM) Ranch is a true wildlife cornucopia. Located on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front, the TRM is a place of research and instruction. It’s where managers integrate livestock with wildlife conservation, which is integral to the economic viability of private and adjacent public lands. 

The ranch has dozens of wildlife trail cams set in key locations. Those cameras take thousands of shots every year. The incredibly meticulous job of choosing the best photos falls to Ph.D. candidate and Boone and Crockett Fellow at the University of Montana Chris Hansen. Check out the highlights below. 

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

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1 of 10—Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) 

Mountain lions don’t form prides like African lions. Rather, this group is likely a couple of large sub-adults hanging with mom until they reach maturity. In any case, it’s not something you want to stumble into on your morning jog.

2 of 10—Coyote (Canis latrans) and Wolf (Canis Lupus)

In these shots, both a coyote (top) and a wolf pose in nearly the exact same spot. We didn’t ask them to do that, but since they did let’s take the chance to compare the two. The wolf is obviously much larger, but check out their facial profiles. The ‘yote has a narrow sleek snout with pointed ears, and the wolf is stubby and chubby.

3 of 10—Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

A nice mule deer buck waits until just after sunset to prowl the hills for ladies. The full moon in the distance is a nice touch. 

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4 of 10—Whitetail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Even though this young whitetail buck forgot its cape at the treeline, it’s still able to easily clear this fence. 

5 of 10— Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Early one morning last fall, this grizzly needed to scratch an itch and leave a little scent behind on the rub tree. Watch until the very end as the it cuddles with the branches. 

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6 of 10—Wolf (Canis Lupus)

In his classic, A Sand County Almanac, Boone and Crockett Club member Aldo Leopold famously wrote,“We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes—something known only to her and to the mountain.” Well, this wolf is very much still alive, on the mountain, and curious about trail cams. 

7 of 10—Whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

This whitetail is hardly camera shy. Watch as it decides to take a rest after a long morning of chasing does. 

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8 of 10—Mountain lion (Puma concolor) 

Nope, nothing to see here. Just a really big lion out for an early morning stroll in the dark. 

9 of 10—Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus)

Even though this little guy blends in pretty well, there are plenty of hungry carnivores out there looking for a fresh snack—especially in the frigid temps of December. 

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10 of 10—Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Ever wondered how all that fur gets stuck on a barbed wire fence? Of course you have, and now you have your answer. 

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All images and associated video © 2021-2022 The University of Montana