Need help identifying this track

[crumy]

I put this in field photos too but thought I would put here too...

I believe it canine and not feline. The part is I am hoping it is coyote and not the bigger cousin. Some thing to note, I found a dead elk calf on Saturday. I went back into the area today (Tuesday). The entire calf was gone. No blood, hear or anything. Like it carried off and I found this track in the mud near where the calf was.

This was taken in South Eastern Wyoming near Arlington

 

[BobT]

Looks canine to me. How big is it?

 

[tdub24]

I think canine as well. If you remember, next time put a pen or something next to the track to give reference to the size.

 

[crumy]

From the outside edge of far left and far right toes it was just wider than my four fingers. That is 3 1/4 inches. I didn't think about taking a picture with my fingers because I was kicking myself for not putting my game camera up near the calf. But you are totally right, I should have.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

It is canine. Probably a domestic/feral dog.

 

[Drhorsepower]

You have to remember, it is in the mud so it makes the track bigger too. Especially an old track like that. I'm with the others on identification.

 

[crumy]

I hope it is a dog. But it would have to be feral because or it was lost. This was taken 2 miles from a dead-end FS road in the middle of Medicine Bow Forest.

 

[hvfd21walker]

I would also say canine.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

Certainly canine, but much too large for a coyote, even spread out in the mud. Dog or wolf. More than likely a young wolf that has dispersed from its pack.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Looks like a bear front paw print to me not canine and cats don't leave claw marks that I've ever seen ????

 

[xtreme]

What does a Wolverine track look like?

 

[ivorytip]

i think what we have hear is the elusive el chupacobra, ask pedro

 

[ssliger]

Looks like a bear front paw print to me not canine and cats don't leave claw marks that I've ever seen ????

I agree, looks like a bear track. Also area 11 has a large bear population. I have a friend who wounded an elk and found it the next day and it had been eaten by a couple of bears, they walked up to the elk and the bear was still feeding.

 

[Drhorsepower]

I agree, looks like a bear track. Also area 11 has a large bear population. I have a friend who wounded an elk and found it the next day and it had been eaten by a couple of bears, they walked up to the elk and the bear was still feeding.

Ummm I count 4 toes which rules out the possibility of a bear. Correct?

 

[Elkoholic307]

Definitely not a bear track. Canine for sure... most likely someone's dog.

 

[Murdy]

+1 on canine. I also think it's a dog. Someone mentioned cats don't leave claw marks. I think this is usually true since they have retractable claws, but it's possible for a cat to have extended its claws for some reason. So if there's a single track with claw marks, I wouldn't automatically rule out cat. That said, if there are multiple tracks and all have claws, I'd rule out a cat because I don't think they walk with their claws out.

 

[HuntWYODon]

4 toe'd bear. pad is wide for a dog. maybe a big bad wolf ?

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Dog of some kind. Bow wow

 

[N.Y.ArcheryMadMan]

I would say if it was a 4" by 4" or Bigger I would go with bear also. If it is smaller I would definitly say Canine .... Maybe a Good Spot to put up a Trail Camera too get some Pic.s... If you do and capture what it is on a Pic.. And Then Post it.... That would be Cool....

 

[Deer Hurs]

I agree with CrimsonArrow. Canine tracks are somewhat diamond shaped (as this one is) and they leave claw marks (as this one did). Cat tracks are more oblong-shaped and rarely leave claw marks in their tracks because they are retractable and cats don't have them out when moving.

If I was a betting man, it is a young wolf that has dispersed to set up its own territory, just as CrimsonArrow stated.