The RCMP are asking for the public's help in identifying this man. (Blair Rhodes/CBC)

The Mounties are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a man who was found dead in a wooded area near Antigonish two months ago.

The man's body was discovered on Dec. 5 off Highway 104, close to the community of Lower South River.

"A man was out there looking for Christmas boughs and discovered a deceased male in that general area," said Sgt. Brian Rehill of the Antigonish RCMP.

"To date we haven't been able to identify this man. He had some personal effects there like a backpack, but no identification that would lead us to a positive identification as to who he is."

It's not known how long the body was there and the Mounties aren't disclosing the cause of death, other than to say it wasn't suspicious.

The RCMP released sketches of the dead man and put his clothes on display for reporters on Friday, with an appeal to anyone who might be able to add to the thin details they have.

"We believe he was probably about 50 years of age. Grey, brown hair, moustache, maybe he has a goatee," said Rehill.

"The structure of his body, I'd say he was roughly about 160 pounds, roughly five feet eight inches, fairly thin. As if a person — I wouldn't say malnourished — but transient and not eating on a regular basis."

The man was discovered wearing black hiking boots by Dakota, jeans from Wrangler with a belt and an Athletic Works black and grey light jacket.

The man was wearing these clothes when his body was found two months ago. (Blair Rhodes/CBC)

Rehill said there are two clues police want people to focus on: the man had one kidney surgically removed at some point in his life, and he was carrying a laminated map of Newfoundland and Labrador, suggesting he was on the move.

Sgt. Michel Fournier, a forensic art specialist with the RCMP, produced the sketches based on photographs and observations of the decomposed body.

He said people need to use their imaginations when examining the man's picture.

"They need to give themselves some level of flexibility, mental flexibility in trying to recognize the victim," Fournier told reporters.

"The end result, this is a facial approximation. Some areas of the face are accurate. But bottom line, this is a facial approximation."