Posted: 6/4/2012 6:46:21 PM EDT
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Saw something big and black about 600 yds out. Walking fence line between field and woods. Couldn't make it out with crappy binoculars but looked to be hunch back slow moving. Kind of like a raccoon or beaver. But looked much bigger. My wife watched too for a bit.
So I grabbed the nearest gun with a scope on it and went for a walk. Found this foot print. Hard to tell but it's all I could find. Then on the way back home I came across a big ass sickly looking raccoon. At least 30lber. I figured that was the animal I saw earlier. Wife thinks its not the same? Im sure it was but what is this foot print? 
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Distinct claw tips, not shaped like a bear, 'yote, wolf, or babcat that I can tell. Doesn't leave too many native critters to choose from and I don't recognize it. Size is hard to estimate too. I'd like to say it's a pine-martin/fisher type animal. Or a badger? Pretty cool though!
Speaking of badgers, from my deer cam a few years ago, a cuddly baby who didn't like its picture being taken... 
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For sure a possum track.
But be careful, they travel in packs. And they are known to have one bait your attention then suddenly attack from the sides, just like their cousin the velociraptor. Best defense: 
ETA: they travel in packs of 87, so if you stumble across a pack of them you're pretty much F'd. |
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I got one of those opening morning last year. Didn't have the cool torch though dammit. 
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That does not look like a coon track, but if yo have a visual, that is good enough to me. Loooked more like a badger. Coon prints look like human hands to me. The sickly looking coon could have canine distemper so steer clear of it with your dog, etc. If it is 40lbs and had distemper it will not be 40lbs for long, but you can read on below.
Google Ready Quote from MI DNR website: "Clinical Signs and Pathology Typical signs of canine distemper seen in the domestic dog include respiratory and intestinal problems such as coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, nasal and ocular discharge, anorexia, and hyperkeratosis of the nasal planum and foot pads. Central nervous system signs may follow the above clinical signs. In wild carnivores, signs of abnormal behavior and apparent lack of fear, suggestive of rabies, may be the only signs grossly visible. Often the animals are presented with a purulent conjunctivitis and nasal discharge and the eyelids may be adhered together with crusty exudate. Neurological disturbances are often seen such as aggressiveness, disorientation, lack of alertness, convulsive movements of the head and paws, and aimless wandering. There may be evidence of diarrhea, labored breathing and an unkempt appearance to the fur. Due to the diarrhea and vomiting, the animal may be dehydrated and exhibit excessive thirst. Weakness and emaciation have been associated with canine distemper, but often animals will be acutely affected and be presented in good nutritional condition. The pathological lesions of canine distemper include pulmonary congestion and consolidation leading to focal pneumonitis. Eosinophilic rounded or ovoid bodies with refractile particles are found in the epithelial cells of skin, bronchi, intestinal tract, urinary tract, bile duct, salivary glands, adrenal glands, central nervous system, lymph nodes and spleen. At the time of necropsy, an enlarged spleen is usually seen." |
| I agree doesn't really look like a coon track. But from pics from the link someone posted and seeing the 2nd one out there I just kind of guessed that it was a front foot with a back foot pushed in the mud? Yeah I'll be keeping the dog away from the area till I know all or most of them are dead. |
