I have never seen either one in the wild. Is there a particular environment where they are normally located? Can they be found any time of year?

I don't see many scratch posts but they can be confused for a buck rub.Male cats make a "V" shaped,kick back scrape,that may or may not contain scat.Some areas may have toilets with multiple scat piles,but here,it is often one or two exposed scat.They like the base of big trees or cedars.Often,scat is deposited on prominent spots of well frequented trails or under ledges.Even one scat may indicate a significant location.I think when there are a lot of cats,marking of any type,seems to be more frequent.Keep in mind,in some areas of the country,dung beetles,other insects and pack rats may make off with scat.Just because you don't find a a lot of sign,doesn't mean there are no cats.I don't know a lot about scratch posts but I would think,in your country,cedars would be a good bet.

You can find scat year round but if insects are a problem,you may find more in colder months.In my country,I find cat scat on high ridges where I know they will not be when the snow gets deep.If you don't have high elevations,this won't be an issue.Good luck.

I've found what I believe to be a scratching/marking tree. (The only one) ran onto it while morel hunting a few yrs ago up under thick cedars. It had multiple scat piles and a couple scratch marks in the old rotted nettle. The cedar was about softball sized at the base with scratch marks from maybe 2.5 ft down. I'd never find that spot again if I tried I had shrooms on the brain an was picking down on our knees

Wow, thanks guys! Maybe these spots are more elusive than I thought!

You just need to learn your country,scout good cat locations,identify travelways and you will find sign and soon you will get better and better at it,at least toilets and scrapes.

In all my years of trapping the only scratching tree I've ever found was last year. That being said I have never spent much time looking for them either.

I've seen quite a few scratching trees over the years of wandering in the woods. But I have hounds and hunt cats with them so I always have cat on the brain. All the trees I ever saw were cedars, or I have seen a few times where they scratched on 4x4 posts for forest service road signs.
The scat toilets, I see quite regular, because my dogs all run over there, they think cat crap is a delicacy Usually on the sides of old roads under trees in the loose duff, although I also have seen them on ridges. Always where there is some soft dirt or duff, they are like a housecat that way.

Cool, I'm definitely gonna keep my eyes peeled. We have a ton of cedars here!