Cat track?
Contributors to this thread:cougar
From: straightshooter
09-Aug-10
I am a flat lander from NE. I was scouting for elk over the weekend in WY. Could this be as mountain lion track? There have been a number of sightings in NE and there was an article in the Nebraska Game and Parks magazine that showed that the four front toe pads could fit in the rear larger pad. There was also a much samller print that made me think female lion with kitten? Any thought? SS
From: Leadspreader
09-Aug-10
id say a large dog, or a wolf, but not a cat, last i heard cats have 5 toes
From: Shoots-Straight
10-Aug-10
K-9, and the only cats that have 5 toes are those exotic house cats.
From: JD1983
10-Aug-10
No, that is not a cat track. It is clearly from some sort of dog.
From: kota-man
10-Aug-10
No...Not a cat track.
From: bghunter
10-Aug-10
Ditto not a cat track.
From: Gerald Martin
10-Aug-10
Dog or wolf. Not cat
From: Bigdan
10-Aug-10
From: Bou'bound
10-Aug-10
a large dog who obviously has a case of chapped lips.
From: Busta'Ribs
10-Aug-10
Here's a simple trick to tell the difference; draw an imaginary X through the track, starting between the first and second toe, if the x crosses in the foot pad, it's a cat, if it crosses above the pad and between the toes and the pad, its a dog (or K-9).
Here's the cat track.
From: Busta'Ribs
10-Aug-10
And here's the dog.
From: miller1
10-Aug-10
I agree with bigdan, cats walk with there claws retracted, if it shows claw marks it a k9
From: REX
10-Aug-10
The shape of the interdigital pad and the fact that you have claw marks clearly indicate a canine track. Judging from the size (chapstick is 2-1/2" long) the track is roughly 4-1/4" wide by 5" long, you are looking at a wolf track.
From: Ziek
10-Aug-10
Everything about it - overall shape, pad shape, claw marks - indicates canine.
From: straightshooter
10-Aug-10
Well......... Guess its not a cat track. This is south of Elk Mountain near Laramie. Didn't know they would have wolves. That would be one big dog. Maybe I'll see it during my hunt. Thanks Guys!! SS
From: Vectrix80
12-Aug-10
maybe a coyote not a cat
From: fairchase
12-Aug-10
This is a coyote track (Vermont,8/12/2010)
From: Wages
12-Aug-10
wow, coyotes are richer in Vermont than they are here. Show Me state coyotes only ever leave behind $5 tops.
From: ElkkillinTut
12-Aug-10
I would spend ALOT more time hunting coyotes if there was a $20 next to every track.lol.
From: Shaft2Long
13-Aug-10
Don't cat track usually have a more distict heart shaped foot pad than in the pic indicated above?
From: FullCryHounds
13-Aug-10
Here ya go.
From: FullCryHounds
13-Aug-10
And in snow. Lion on LH side, Hound on RH side.
From: TONTO
13-Aug-10
Cat tracks are much more rounded than dog/wolf tracks, and like mentioned above, the only time you would see claws would be if it was a running track. I think Cheetah are the only cats that do not ever retract the claws?
From: Gold Miner
13-Aug-10
Kitty Track
From: HeadHunter®
13-Aug-10
"fairchase"....I think THAT is a endangered species in your photo (20$ bill).....lol
From: Kevsam
04-Sep-10
Most cat tracks you won't see any claw imprint at all. They should also have a noticeable round shape.
Canine tracks are a little more teardrop shaped and claw marks are evident in most tracks.
I looks like that track you posted was made in wet ground. I would guess wolf or large dog.
From: NEBucks
04-Sep-10
You can also use the "X" method of judging. An "X" starting between the first two toes on each side of the track will intersect in the center of the pad on a cat. On a canine, the pad will be in the bottom portion of the "X".
Also, the claw marks almost always indicate a canine since their claws are not retractable.
From: NEBucks
04-Sep-10
Need a faster connection. I didn't see the above post in time. Sorry.
From: Two Brothers
06-Sep-10
Heres a cat track a came across while scouting for elk last week in the blackhills of So.Dakota(the date on the pic is wrong)
From: FullCryHounds
07-Sep-10
TB, Thats a canine track. Use the 'X' method explained above and you'll see that works well with undefinded tracks like the one in your picture.
From: Jammer
07-Sep-10
Dog, TB also dog
From: SteveC123
27-Sep-10
TB, dog or cat, I'd still watch out. That lil' guy is packin heat!
