Cougar Tracks? (w/pics)

N

nickmyron

New member
Rustydog and I were out hunting the west side today and had no luck (the rain was pouring and we just got soaked /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif )
But on our first set we found some tracks that we are sure were Cougar tracks, so we took a couple pictures and we wanted to find out if this was a big or normal size cat.

(the tracks measured 4 inches from top to bottom and we used the dollar bill is for size comparison)

33%3A3484323232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3B25%3D936%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3A%3B%3A953%3Aot1lsi


33%3A3484323232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3B25%3D936%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3A%3B%3A9543ot1lsi


What do you think?

Nick~
 
When the ground is real wet/muddy, it can deceive you. I'd quess, and it's only a quess as I'm no expert, that it is an average lion.
 
Agree with Weasel that what we see could be decieving. But I think that's a dog track, not a cat at all. The leading edge of the heel pad and the position of the outside toes is what I'm looking at that makes me think that.

- DAA
 
I'm no expert either, I'd tend to agree with Weasel-Ut about the mudd and the size of the cat tracks, probably average. I have seen lion tracks out here where I live and those look about what I've seen.
 
Well, I've only seen a couple of cougar tracks, including the one (live one) my dad & I called into our lap many years ago. Sooooo...

They do not look like cougar tracks to me. Way too small, unless from a small cat of course. lol But again, I'm lacking experience on this one.

How about a large bob cat? Their feet can get HUGE. The 30lb one I killed sure were.
 
I agree with DAA. The second photo is so vague, which is par for wet loose mud, that nothing can be determined. The first photo however is the track of a large dog, determined by toe and pad shape and position relative to each other, and the nail marks anterior to the toes.
 
Since I took the picture, I am very interested in the responses to Nick's post. I am CERTAINLY not an expert, but my thoughts lean towards a average size cougar. My main argument is the lack of "toenails" on any of the 20 or so tracks Nick and I found. A canine's toenails are clearly visible when one examines the print.

But.... Rich in AZ knows his cats so I'll just have to wait for more opinions. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Whatever the case, the track is a good 4" long and that's too big for any dog around this remore field. My $.02! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Keep the posts coming, I am hoping I can go to bed thinking I saw my first couger track! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Rustydog
 
One thing that i want to add in addition to what Rustydog said is that fact the there were many coyote tracks (of normal size) next to those "cougar" tracks.....in the same mud and were about half the size of the "cougar" tracks.

Nick~
 
Sorry to disappoint you, but those are not cat tracks, lion or bobcat. Forget the toenail marks. Cats can occasionally leave claw marks in tracks that are made in muddy ground. The shape of the heel pad and the placement of the toes tells the story. Those are dog tracks, plain and simple!
 
Well, fella's those pictures aren't the best and are hard to make out......NO offense mind you, however if I were you, I would get myself some plaster paris and do like the good ole boys on C.S.I. do and make yourself a cast of the footprint.

Then you can take it to someone who really knows, like your local zoo administrator etc. Or some real Lion hunters out around your way if any.

Now getting back to the dog print theory, if the dog in fact were to have had his nails clipped, are you sure they would show up in the soft ground?
 
I run hounds after cougar and see lion and dog tracks side by side on a regular basis. The tracks in the picture are without a doubt, no question in my mind, 100% guaranteed dog tracks. Kudus to the posters above that also identified them as such! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Here is a photo of a cougar track I took in New Mexico for you to compare with. I assume your photos are better quality than what is posted.

Bob
webliontrack.gif
 
Which picture are you talking about? As for the first picture, (original), I'd guess "dog" by the picture alone. With all the other info these guys give, it could be a cat. I'm no expert either. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
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