Cougar, to0 close for comfort...

[Tuc]

Last night was the first time I was able to get out deer hunting this year. Been too busy and was sick for awhile. No deer spotted but near my blind I noticed a peculiar large track in the snow and lots of them. I've seen cougar tracks in Alberta but it's been awhile. Anyhow this track looked like a large wolf track and for the most part walked a straight line. Every now and again you could see where the tail touched the snow off to one side. I automatically thought cougar but, what threw me off was the claw marks. I didn't think kitties left claw marks because they retrack their claws into their pads and only use them for climbing and pouncing on prey. After studying up on cougar and wolf tracks online and watching a video I am now convinced I have a cougar very close to my back yard.

Every year I set out rabbit snares in the same area, an estimated 1/2 km from my cabin. Today I took a ride on the skidoo around the loop to look at my old rabbit sets. Cougar tracks again and hardly a bunny track....Whow, this is too close for comfort and I don't like it. I have dogs and chickens here so me thinks me better be on high alert. I was even thinking about calling DNR and see what they think about the situation.
I hope this kitty moves along real soon....

[AxeMan]

Could it be a big Lynx, Tuc? 
They love rabbits too.
We saw at least a dozen Lynx when we were out lately.

Could be cougar too though.
I'll bet a few of your dogs might take a bite out of most kitties.....

[walleyes]

S.S.S.

[Tuc]

Axe, I don't think it's a lynx, the track is too big. I'm going to keep my camera ready when I'm up in the stand.
If the sun hasn't faded the tracks (suppose to be +2 here tomorrow)  I'll take a picture of them tomorrow evening. I'll be busy until 3 but hope to get hunting for an hour or two.

Walleyes, I'll have to check the season here on cougar. I don't have a problem with the big cats, I just don't want them too close to the acreage. My dogs run loose throughout the day and my wife and I are not always home.
BTW, did  you decide on a dog yet?