Unknown critter tracks

**BruceK** · 17th February 08, 03:54 PM

More photos. Note that there was a thin layer of ice on the snow in many places which is why some of the prints wind up being not too legible. Regarding photo #4 I can't say that I've ever seen a series of tracks like that.

Photo #2: Paw Prints #2

Photo #3: Paw Prints #3

Photo #4: Paw Prints #4

**BoldHighlander** · 17th February 08, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by BruceK

More photos. Note that there was a thin layer of ice on the snow in many places which is why some of the prints wind up being not too legible. Regarding photo #4 I can't say that I've ever seen a series of tracks like that.

Photo #2: Paw Prints #2

Photo #3: Paw Prints #3

Photo #4: Paw Prints #4

At first glance (and without being there) I'd say big cat, e.g. cougar. Having grown up in big cat country & seeing my share I'd guess that, for lack of claw marks.

However one thing also to remember is prints also tend to get larger as they thaw & refreeze, though these don't look too distorted.

What is throwing me is your photo #4. What is that center lone impression?
Is that a paw print? It's hard to tell, and doesn't look exactly like one. If not I'd guess its where the tail of a big cat is brushing the surface.

I have friends in Upper New York & across the border in Canada who recreate Butler's Rangers & the Indian Dept., and have reported big cats in the state during their back country treks.

Ever since the anti's voted to do away with hunting big cats w/ hounds around here we've had a population explosion & they've been losing their fear of man & dog. We get them in town every once in awhile!

**Panache** · 17th February 08, 04:37 PM

The Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess took a look over my shoulder and says it some type of cat.

Cheers

Jamie

**Monkey@Arms** · 20th February 08, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

The Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess took a look over my shoulder and says it some type of cat.

Cheers

Jamie

So it was a bobcat, hmm, odd.

I would have suggested the Questing Beast.

Best regards,

Jake

**RockyMount'sClanBrown** · 20th February 08, 02:44 PM

Tartan Hiker,

From the town Highlands? I just met Jarret Calloway from Highlands, NC a couple of weeks ago.

I am really looking forward to the games. As we get closer, it sounds like people from the forum will be organizing to gather at the events. Meeting the members sounds like a lot of fun.

Looks like our group will be 15 to 20 at the Loch Norman and closer to 40 at the GF Mountain. I am trying to get them to start posting and participating in the discussions here. I sent them a link and my uncle said last night that he was shocked to see such a quick response to my posting.

Yeah, bobcat. Yeah. I just like being right.

**BoldHighlander** · 20th February 08, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

So it was a bobcat, hmm, odd.

I would have suggested the Questing Beast.

Best regards,

Jake

Naw, the track was all wrong.
Looks more like the Beast of Gévaudan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_of_G%C3%A9vaudan

**Mael Coluim** · 23rd February 08, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

The Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess took a look over my shoulder and says it some type of cat.

Cheers

Jamie

Right Jamie, my wife agrees and thinks it's the prints of a bobcat. There are no toenail holes in the snow/ice and the canine family can't retract their claws.

**BruceK** · 17th February 08, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

At first glance (and without being there) I'd say big cat, e.g. cougar. Having grown up in big cat country & seeing my share I'd guess that, for lack of claw marks.

However one thing also to remember is prints also tend to get larger as they thaw & refreeze, though these don't look too distorted.

What is throwing me is your photo #4. What is that center lone impression?
Is that a paw print? It's hard to tell, and doesn't look exactly like one. If not I'd guess its where the tail of a big cat is brushing the surface.

I took the pictures pretty early in the morning. And it being Rochester there was no sing of the sun to affect the tracks.

Regarding photo #4, it almost looks as if the animal was jumping or pouncing and the center lone impression appeared to be two legs (rear legs?) side-by-side. But because of the crust of ice on the snow most of those tracks are illegible.

I'm going to try contacting some local people for opinions tomorrow assuming they're open.

**BoldHighlander** · 17th February 08, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by BruceK

I took the pictures pretty early in the morning. And it being Rochester there was no sing of the sun to affect the tracks.

Regarding photo #4, it almost looks as if the animal was jumping or pouncing and the center lone impression appeared to be two legs (rear legs?) side-by-side. But because of the crust of ice on the snow most of those tracks are illegible.

I'm going to try contacting some local people for opinions tomorrow assuming they're open.

Thanks. One last thought/question: were there any other animal tracks (unlike these) in the area, especially near the "jumping" ones? Just curious...

I for one will be interested in hearing what the local folks think.

**BruceK** · 17th February 08, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

Thanks. One last thought/question: were there any other animal tracks (unlike these) in the area, especially near the "jumping" ones? Just curious...

I for one will be interested in hearing what the local folks think.

No, not that I could see. And from the number of tracks there was either more than one of whatever it was or the animal spent a LOT of time poking around the house. But I couldn't see any fresh signs of other tracks. And, unfortunately, it rained today so the tracks are gone. <sigh>