Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What animal left this track?

Looks like a cat to me. Probably a large Bobcat track that melted out if the photo is from New York..

...but if Santiam and 1minute both say cat, I ain't gonna argue.

Those guys know way more than I ever will.

What makes you guys say cat?

Bobcat or feral cat.

How wide and long was the print?

Bobcat/lynx

Definitely not bear. A bear track shows the front toes almost straight across from one another, not rounded like a cat's.

This. No claw marks.

Past time for a trail cam.

House cat, track melted out.

That's what happens when a pussy track gets sun

Everybody overlooking the obvious. LOL There's more evidence than just a track to solve a mystery. For example, more tracks than just the one! LOL

Was the deer partially buried in brush to keep the birds from seeing it? Was the hair pulled off it?

Cat.


Black bear



Bobcat

The OP track, enlarged and lightened.

Bruce

Confused bear LOL

Tis no bear. ''Tis a cat of sorts...
Been over long in Alaska and never seen a bob cat but a 30+ pound lynx could easily score a track like that with a little melt in the snow. Easier for a cougar...
Cat it is.

I'm still thinking it's a melted out track of a big male fisher. I have seen more than a few of them.

Because it's a cat that's why..

Doubtful for a lynx. Pad likely to be larger than what appears in photo.

IF that is five toes registering...not a cat.

If track IS as "big as a hand" (3-4") or larger as well as being an overstep...am going with right hind print...mountain lion. Smaller...bobcat.

BTW, otters (front) have a similar print that shows their toenail impressions. If this is an "overstep" the possible toe impress below and to the left of the main impression could make it a Northern River otter. Also five toes.

Wishing he would have shown the other prints. Ask him.

Ditto. If it showed 3 lobes on the back of the pad that would cinch it as cat.

Generally claws don't show on cat tracks but there are plenty of times when they do, and I've got photos of at least two cougar tracks with claws showing. It is not an always or never. A series of several tracks showing length of stride, hind foot if it is bear, a pattern and a clear pad heel would be too much to expect. With some melting, as others have said, it could be one of several critters but my first impression is cat.

Well there ya' go.

Heym, I'm jumping ship and going with cat.

Study up. Even a domestic dog front print has three parts to the pad and shows toenail impressions.