print in the snow.

[LoonState]

I know this has probably been asked a hundred times but how do I add a pic from my phone onto the HSOforum. Or if I can send someone the pic and they know how to post it let me know please. I have a sprint android phone if that helps. I have a pic of some paw prints that we think are cougar prints but aren't sure. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Steve.

[demonjigger]

can you see any toe nails?

[LoonState]

Yes, and the two middle toes point in. Took a ton of pics and compared them to online pics of mt lion prints in snow and they are a 99‰ match I think. We talked to the local Co and he said he has had a few calls about sightings this week. One confirmed on camera 10 miles north. But didn't have time to come check them out which was surprising to me since I thought they wanted to check all good leads. But just wanted us to send pics.

[Dave S]

Yes, and the two middle toes point in.

Not a cat if you see evidence of toe nails. A cats claws are retracted in their toes when walking and most often don't extend them until they're trying to grasp something. I've seen many dog prints where the middle toes point inward.

Without seeing the pic, I'm guessing you have a print of a large dog.

[LoonState]

If its a dog it is a very very big dog. I wish I could share the pic. You can barely make out the claw. Once again if anyone can help me post a pic it would be greatly appreaciated. I have shown pics to people who have seen cougar tracks before and they are saying they are almost certain that is what it is. As in the dog has a 48 inch stride between back paw and Front paw

[Dave S]

pm sent

[Dave S]

OK, Here is the print in question.

[Dave S]

I'm still leaning towards a dog. It does appear the snow has melted since the print was made. A dogs print will also seem larger than normal in certain situations. My lab can leave a big print and she weighs 80 lbs.

One of the things missing here to accurately identify this as a cat or dog is the middle pad. The trailing edge of the middle pad for a cat will have 3 lobes visible whereas a dog will be more of an inward "U" shaped or two lobes.

[Gordie]

Looks like a dog in a older human foot print to me that washed out a bit

[swamptiger]

Dog or coyote.

[Ray1]

Its a coyote track that has grown a bit because of the sun hitting the middle of the print (the pad part that had grass showing) and making it bigger.

[gopher_nation]

LEP7MM nailed it. Without the middle pad you cannot positively identify it.

My question, did you find any more than the one? A running cat can show claws in its prints on soft ground.

Follow the tracks into some thick brushy woods where the sunlight doesn't penetrate and find some more!

[LoonState]

Yea I have more just don't know how to post from my phone. The CO got back to us today and said he can't tell for sure because they were melting into the snow but by the size of the print and the lenght of the strides that there is a good possibility they are cougar tracks. Especially with all the sightings in the area in the last week. He also said that they are to big to be coyote tracks and if they were a dogs that dog would be close to 200lbs.

[Dave S]

quackkills,

I flubbed up and didn't notice until it was too late that you sent me more than the one pic. If you still have my cell, send the others over and I'll get them posted up for ya.

My apologies.

[Dave S]

For comparison sake, I found this on the Michigan DNR page:

After looking at the photo of the print in relation to the boot, I just noticed what appears to be a print infront of the boot, possibly from a squirrel. I don't know for sure that's the source, but if so it offers something else to compare size to and possible distortion from snow melting.

[swamptiger]

Quote:

He also said that they are to big to be coyote tracks and if they were a dogs that dog would be close to 200lbs.

Comparing the fresh bootprint with the washed out canine track, the track looks too small to be a timber wolf.

[PurpleFloyd]

The Cheetah is the only large cat that doesn't retract it's claws but they don't do too well in Minnesota. I would say those are either a dog or a Coyote. Small wolf possibly too but not as likely.

[Dave S]

Here are the other pics that quakckill has:

[nofishfisherman]

For sure its not a cat. You wouldn't see the claws on a cat unless perhaps it was running. And if it were running you wouldn't have such a clean outline of the claws.

For comparison sake I found this image showing all 3 K9 tracks. Judging by size I think you have a large dog. When you factor in the melting snow that will make the print bigger then the size seems about right compared to the boot and also compared to the leaf in the last 2 pictures.

[IL Res]

Cougars tend to drag or bounce their tails along ground while walking if they are relaxed. Their tails are heavy and will leave a line in snow. Same for otters.

[Grayfox]

I more vote for FIDO.

Rob