OT: Debo: cat track

[KimL]

Debo, you were looking for cat tracks for the wildlife newsletter. On the Big Creek Natural Area trail to the creek (the longer section), there is a human-handsized cat track--four widespread toes with a clear three-lobed paw pad and absolutely no claws. My dad was with me and got an excellent look too and agrees on comparison with track examples online about what it was. It's either the panther that has been roaming this area for years or a mountain lion. I'm sorry, but we didn't have a camera with us. If the snowfall keeps people off the trail tomorrow, you might still be able to find it after the melt. It was on the left side of the trail as you descend, maybe halfway down, on a sandy ridge of the trail. I hope this helps!

[DeBo]

Thanks Kim for the information! If anyone else has had mountain lion sightings let me know. I will be doing some stories about them in Arkansas Out of Doors this spring.

[Richard]

Bob Stout had a picture of a 2003 mountain lion in Perry Co. that I think at one time was linked to the message board.

Cougar (Mountain Lion) track identification
http://www.cougarsanctuary.org/tracks.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is some more information specific to Arkansas
1996-2000 Scientific survey
http://www.carnivoreconservation.org/fi ... kansas.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.easterncougarnet.org/clarkark.doc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2003 photo in Perry Co.
http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wil ... ansas.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2009: Commissioner addresses concerns over sightings of mountain lions
http://www.ardeerhunting.com/News%20and%20Events.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I believe there have been racoon sightings in Arkansas as well. . .

[KimL]

Ha, ha about the coons, Richard!

[c8mb]

I believe there have been racoon sightings in Arkansas as well. . .

and they're all at Spring Creek campground at Buffalo River

[Richard]

and they're all at Spring Creek campground at Buffalo River

And a mile in either direction. My avatar was taken on the gravel bar opposite Spring Creek which is 3/4 mile upstream from the campground and my tent has a new door . . . compliments of you know what . . . that was created 1/2 mile downstream. Spring Creek campground is a favorite for locals and they don't always practice Leave No Trace.

[dwilson]

Last year early spring me and my wife was over hiking trails. We just pulled onto the highway from off the gravel road that leds to Kings River Falls Trail. A big black cat leaped across the road about 50 yards in front of us. No time for picture but did get a good look. We have them in Oklahoma too. Have run across them while out coon hunting in my younger days.

[Richard]

A big black cat leaped across the road about 50 yards in front of us

From http://www.easterncougarnet.org/clarkark.doc
". . .we classified our reports in 1 of 4 reliability classes according to standards set by the Florida Panther Conference (Pritchard 1976) and used by the AGFC in the 1980’s. Class I evidence includes a photograph of an animal, scat, track, or a cast of a track. Class II evidence are sightings made by an observer of known reliability (i.e., a biologist). Class III observations are made by an unqualified observer, but are accompanied by convincing descriptions or details and Class IV sightings are highly questionable. . . . We omitted reports referring to black animals. "
Uh Oh . . .

[dwilson]

Okay okay i'll tell the truth it walked upright human like was brown hairy and stunk real bad.

[fryingsquirrel]

Okay okay i'll tell the truth it walked upright human like was brown hairy and stunk real bad.

Sasquatch? Or do you mean Richard?

[Clif]

I never thought of Richard as ...hairy.