opened "Blackberry Trail" today

[keith44]

I have several patches of wild blackberries in my front field (left fallow last year and this).  Today I mowed several pathes to and around the larger patches.  Besides me, what eats blackberries?  Turkey, deer, or none of the above?

[BUGEYE]

Bears.  saw several in Oregon eating BBs.

[keith44]

nearest bear sighting was 6 counties away and several years ago

[BUGEYE]

oregon has the biggest, sweetest BBs I've eaten.  but not many people use them.
entire mountainsides right beside the road and nobody picking.

[keith44]

You'd think somebody there would like BB cobbler.

[Land_Owner]

Besides me, what eats blackberries?

All birds, pigs, the three species mentioned, snakes, raccoons, opossums, rats, mice, and just about anything in the forest that crawls, walks, or flies will take advantage of blackberries when they are in season.

[GeneRector]

  Howdy! When I was a kid I really liked to pick blackberries (dewberries, a variety of blackberries). It made some good jam and cobblers. The last few years where I live in Texas has not been good for wild berries. Maybe next year. Keep in mind that black bears can wander 200 miles from their usual territory searching for food, etc. Always, Gene

[keith44]

Thanks Gene, yes they do make fine cobblers.  A 200 mile circle around me (on a map) would still be 500 miles away from the nearest bear sighting, and they would have to leave prime feeding grounds, and pass through or go around three major cities (in just about any direction).  The only real concern is the hunting club a couple miles away importing some for customers (illegally)

[penrod72]

Used to have a German Wirehaired Pointer who ae them. All of the dogs I have experience with like them, but he was exceptional. Also a big fan of blueberries- he would get the low ones while we picked the top. Ruffed grouse enjoy them greatly as well. We have a bumper crop of black berries coming on this year in central New York around the clearcuts we did 2 years ago.