ID the track?

[Guy Miner]

Was scouting for mule deer today here in central Washington, miles and miles from any residences. Came across just a few of these. These two photos are of the best print I could find. The orange knife is 4.25" folded as shown. I was about two hours walk from my truck when I found the prints in the trail. Hiked about six hours total today. This was pretty remote country.

Both photos are of the same track. I got rid of the small pine cone and put my knife next to the print for a better size comparison. What do you think? Coyote?

 

[JD338]

Guy,

I'm thinking a young wolf, too big for a coyote.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

But JD338, I don't want any wolves in my mule deer area...

Make it go away... :grin:

 

[Greg Nolan]

I can't see any nail marks at the end of the paw but I could be missing it in the loose soil. If there are claw marks you have wolves. Probably courtesy of Idaho. If there aren't it could be a mountain lion.
Greg

 

[JD338]

Greg,

Take another at the first picture, I think there are a couple nail prints.
That is why I was thinking a young wolf.

JD338

 

[Powerstroke]

Certianly too big for a yote and a little too fat as well it appears.

Have yet to see a wolf track, but certianly expect it anytime now.

Not sure where it / he / she is now, but had a wolverine sighting here in CO earlier in the summer.

 

[JDMAG]

I havn't seen a wolf track,yet, but I agree it seems to big for coyote. Unless they found some puppy chow when they were little.

 

[Teknys]

I've seen more than I would like (tracks) here in Idaho. It certainly has the size and shape with the proper distance between the pads. The loose soil could have made the nails marks hard to see. I figured it was only a matter of time until they moved more west. They have "new" packs here every year. At least we carry tags this year during hunting season. I believe they won't be as many taken as people think. Smart and wary animal.

 

[Guest]

I don't think that's a cat track. The toe pads appear to face forward and sit pushed together, where a cat track is more spread out. I can't see nail prints, which would be the deciding factor, but the track has been there a little while, based on the amount and type of debris in it. I'm betting wolf track, just offhand. It seems too large for a yote print. Any chance someone's large dog got out there at some point? It could be dog tracks, but it would have to be a big dog - larger than a lab or such. Even then, looking at it, the track appears to "compact" within itself to be a dog, I think. Sorry to be staunchly in the camp of "you now have a wolf in your area" Guy, but that's what it appears.

 

[str8meat]

ITS A WOLF they have several that size around where i am too, and i have seen them.

 

[Greg Nolan]

I agree the track looks more wolf than cat. It's not round enough. That size would be an awful big dog like a great dane or Pyreneese.

 

[C.Smith]

I think we have more wolves in Washington then the state is letting on.

Corey

 

[str8meat]

more wolves in wa. state than they think?????? they dont know how many elk or deer they have let alone wolves, cougars or bears. but they can count the revenue from the messed up seasons they have :wink:

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Thats a canine track (small wolf or large coyote or maybe a dog...but definitely a canine)...cat tracks are more rounded, no long toes in the middle like that track.