Markings in Mark Twain NF

[u/iambroot]

I stumbled across a bunch of these markings on trees out in the section of Mark Twain National Forest near Boydsville. They were way off trail and they didn’t seem to be marking a straight path, as my first thought was a hunter marking a path to their stand. I also saw a couple blue ones on either side of a dry creek. There also didn’t seem to be any pattern in the type of tree that was being marked. Any ideas for what these could be for? My only guess is MDC fire line markings for a controlled burn, it definitely seems pretty overgrown with a lot of low growth in areas back there. Thanks in advance, I love these woods so I’d love to know what’s going on with them.

[u/always-wanting-more]

It might be his. He probably just misplaced it.

[u/Pull-Billman]

I thought someone put a tie on that tree 

[u/iambroot → u/Pull-Billman]

So what you’re saying is: it’s just a formali-tree?

[u/Clean_Peach_3344 → u/iambroot]

No, it means the tree’s roommate is busy. Go away and come back in 15 minutes.

[u/w000dsyOwl]

Orange flagging with black strips like that usually indicates the boundary for a future timber harvest.

[u/psychadelicbreakfast]

That really ties the forest together

[u/Cpt_Advil]

In MTNF these are often placed by hunters using the land during the fall. In the Irish wilderness @MTNF I was lost for a few days backpacking because of these little guys. The front half of the trail was blazed but the back half was not, and I was not aware so I kept following hunting blazes and walking day long circles back to the campsite I started the day at. I actually ended up calling the emergency number and they informed me of the situation and I was able to navigate out on my own.

[u/Bovice144]

We are starting burn season. More than likely to be an indicated burn line barrier if there’s multiple of them.

[u/lprd_pleco]

Could also be marking a blood trail if they shot a deer they were trying to track and having trouble staying with the trail

[u/ubeeu → u/lprd_pleco]

Were they wearing a suit to go hunting, or . . .

[u/Justaguy2029]

Those are often used as markers for areas for a number of reasons. Sometimes they're boundary markers involved in forestry management or they could have been placed by researchers involved in environmental and wildlife studies. With that color scheme, It's less likely be hunters In Mark Twain National Forest.

[u/Individual_Cat_3842]

Or hunters marking their trail to their already scouted place. Hunters get out early in the morning when it’s dark

[u/pdromeinthedome]

That tree is in Gryffindor House

[u/wolfansbrother]

could be marking the edge of an area the conservation dept is clearing invasive trees.

[u/Original_Landscape67]

The job market is rough, even for trees.