NYhunter325

i was just snoopin around about the cougar thingon the new york dec website and there have been sitings but not confirmed evidence so if a cougar that was say 7 - 9 feet long the stride would be fairly large so it would be distinct from any look alike track right?

haystack

The stride and the lack of toenails is the best indicator. However a large dog can easily be confused with it.

Their are several good sites to check out. One is "How did the couger get to Chicago"

NYhunter325

cause i kno with large dogs you can plainly see the toenails and with cats the nails are retractable but i will keep looking around and hopefully get a picture of the cat or see it in person but do you think it would it be a good idea to put maybe a carcass of a dead like rabbit or something in front of the camera to maybe lure the animal in front of the camera cause i kno that there are a large amount of deer that move along this trail and in the area so what do you think i should do?

haystack

I'd say your best bet would be to put your camera on the same trail it was using. They prefer fresh kills, so i would'nt bother trying any bait. Its likely they are on the prowl for a mate, covering unbelievable miles.

NYhunter325

ok thanks for your help i will post up the pictures if i get them and any new tracks that i find

bowhuntn87

its hard to tell without something beside for a size reference... but it looks like a frozen yote track to me.

mnprohunter

Coyote tracks aren't usually that long. Cougar tracks can be over 4" and then 4 defined toes with the rounded pad are indicative of a cougar. I think it certainly could be, its hard to tell in the pic. Its also more pointed then a wolf track...looks like you could have one hangin' around.

buffhntr

The track looks like it is melted out. A for sure way to tell is if there are toe nails in the track If there a nails it isnt a cat also a cat track is round. I live in Illinois and found a track this winter but I am not sure because it was a little melted out and I am having trouble believing that there are cats in Illinois. However a male will travel a very big range

buffhntr

here is the track that is a 3 1/4"long 25-06 shell in the track

haystack

buffhntr,
I was unable to view your photo, my computer I think. I always doubted mountain lions existed anywhere other than out west. That is until I experienced undeniable evidence that one definitely visited my area.It involved cattle and it is still being pieced together. One thing I have learned is they are travelers, more than any other animal I know of. And they are rarely seen even in areas that have a good population. Alot of people will not tolerate this subject, and I understand that fully, I was of the same opinion until it was evidence that proved me wrong.

Thanks for sharing what you found