Bear wallows are often used by the animals for relief from the heat of summer. The fields and forests of Petra, Maine contain several areas that would serve this purpose. On all sides of one of our potato fields are seasonal streams, which carry water after the snow melts off the mountains that surround Petra, and during heavy rains, such as we have had thsi spring and summer. There is a wide margin between the planted areas and the tree line around the fields that is wet year round, at least this year, and grown up in long marsh grass. In the back of the field is the brook that borders a portion of Petra, and the area between the field and the brook is marshy. I have seen that the deer use these wallows and have photos of a black bear on the edge of the field near there. We haven't had very many truly hot days so far this summer, so I don't know that this has been a big concern of our bears this year. Also, the cedar swamp on the far side of the property is not underwater, but contains may damp areas, and its ground is covered with soft moss.