[brighamr]

Here's the story. I live right next to a wilderness preserve in Montana. There are reportedly, black bears, mountain lions, wolfs, foxes, bobcats, and possibly grizzlys. I've been here for two months and the only tracks\scat I've seen around are deer, elk and foxes. The last couple days I've gone out in the morning and found some fresh tracks I can't distinguish. I've attached a regular picture, then one with the track outlined (couldn't get a perfect pic). The dimensions are 4 inches by 4 inches. they were left at some time between midnight and 5am. Whatever it was had to clear a 5 foot fence (there were no marks and no hair on the fence)

Your thoughts are appreciated!

[zinj]

Wolf or feral dog.

[Rembrandt]

....large dog, Great Dane, pregnant female, blind in one eye, with a leather collar....(but I could be wrong about the collar.)

[hexidismal]

I would think it kind of bizarre for a wolf to be able to clear a 5 foot fence... but I suppose it's not impossible.

Maybe it was a chupacabra. They make their way north east from Mexico this time of year, right ? :D

[brighamr]

Well thank you zinj for a reply. Chupacabra doesn't have padded feet, and a great dane probably wouldn't be clearing 5 feet... :p

Judging from the pictures oon this site: http://www.bear-tracker.com/caninevsfeline.html and the siftness of the ground, I'm leaning towards mountain lion.

[USMC - Retired]

It's a cougar. You can tell by the tear drop shaped toe marks and the "w" shaped pad.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/gifs/paw-cougar.jpg

[brighamr]

USMC, you beat me! Thanks for the pic and explanation :-)

One more question: Is it common for these guys to be so close to humans? The tracs were 10 feet from my back porch, and this is the second time we've found them? Just curious.

[Fisherman_48768]

I don't see any claw/toe nail marks, which means they are retracted=cat
Everything else that it could possibly be should show the claw marks. One thing that throws me however is these pictures show 5 toes and most cat tracts only print 4 toes. 4" x 4" could be lynx or small lion, too big for bobcat.

[brighamr]

the fifth toe was actually a pebble I moved out of the way to take the picture... There are other tracks in the yard with the 4 toes and pad, but they weren't as defined as this one.

[rcmodel]

Small Wolf or Large dog.
http://images.google.com/images?q=wolf+tracks&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title

Cougers have retractable claws, and don't walk around with them hanging out.
http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=cougar+tracks&spell=1

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[eliphalet]

I reckon a fella could put up a game camera or a good steel jawed trap and know for sure. Neighbor might not appreciate his dog in a trap but then you might not appreciate his large dog in your yard at night either. Camera is probably the best option.

[brighamr]

good idea. Any recommendations for a cheap motion camera?

[hobbeeman]

Any recommendations for a cheap motion camera?
Walmart, $49, 4 C batteries and an SD card

[uk roe hunter]

is it a steel right angle ruler?

[brighamr]

yes it is a steel angle ruler. The track was about between 3-4" in length and width.

hobbeman - thanks! I'm gonna pick up the Wal Mart cam soon as I get paid. (Next friday). More pics to come!

[CrawdaddyJim]

Wolf. And how far apart were the front and back prints? Looks closer to 5x5 inches to me. Nice size wolf. Not wide enough to be a cat. Also the soil is too loose to show the seperation between the claws and pads.
http://www.bear-tracker.com/caninevsfeline.html

http://www.wolflabs.co.uk/wolf_paw.gif

[MeekandMild]

In the future you'd probably be able to show more definition in a photo of a plaster cast. Stuff should be mixed a little bit on the thin side and poured in very gently.

[2RCO]

I tend to be more on the Cougar than wolf side. Looks like a big kitty cat to me. A cougar could clear a 5 foot fence as well. I'm not so sure about a wolf.

I was gonna be a joker and say El Chupacabra but was beaten to the punch.

[trueblue1776]

It's canis, if it were felis the toe tips would not be pointed unless running.

Cats don't walk with claws extended, especially in soft dirt.

[starpuss]

naa i say it is bigfoot or maybe a Great Dane

[countertop]

Is it common for these guys to be so close to humans? The tracs were 10 feet from my back porch, and this is the second time we've found them? Just curious.

yes, it sees you as food.

[koja48]

4 toes, no claw indication = cat. I have no clue where you live, so could be a big lynx or a young cougar. Big cats are like little cats . . . opportunistic & sneaky . . . keep tabs on kids & pets.

[trueblue1776]

koja-
I see claws, toes are pointed. Also the track is longer than wide. Cats have a wider tack that doesn't sink that deep, even huge cats.

[koja48]

true,

you may be right; tough to tell from a photo. I'd still keep a keen look-out.

[ZeSpectre]

A little difficult to tell from the photo but the print in question appears to have...

-a pronounced "Arch" in the back of the heel pad (vs a "M" shape)
-has a distinct single lobe at the front of the heel pad (vs a double hump)
-is longer than wide
-shows evidence of clawmarks at the tips (this seems to be in dispute but to me the sharp "tips" of the prints indicate claws).
-the front toes appear to be side-by-side not staggered or "splayed".

My best estimate would be a big dog. (Oh and by the way I've SEEN both wolves and domestic dogs climb all sorts of fences, it's pretty amazing).

[koja48]

Come to think of it, I have a friend back home who has a German Shorthair . . . huge feet & last time he was out here, that dog literally "floated" over the 5-foot fence that has stymied several Labs.