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Post by zodiakgsps on Jan 3, 2009 21:35:24 GMT -4
While grouse hunting today in the Alleghenys, Tara started acting really weird, very spooky, tail tucked...coming back to me, scared(she has no fear of dogs, she's at my grooming shop daily & at shows with thousands of dogs). Shortly after came across these tracks. We were a LONG way from any houses and several miles into the mountains, there were no human tracks around, figure maybe it's a stray hound, but man it's a BIG one!!! I grew up with great danes & they didn't leave tracks this size!! Tracks were following deer tracks, at a walk, not running, definitely tracking the deer, whatcha think? ? I just thought it was weird that they freaked my normally unfearful dog out. Put my handprint next to it for comparison, for those who don't know me, I'm not a small person at over 6 foot.......
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Post by frankinthelaurels on Jan 4, 2009 8:17:56 GMT -4
The track seems awefully big for an eastem coyote...it does however have somewhat of that classic oval shape to it.. a dog would be wider usually...if it is a coyote, it's a god aweful big one to say the least...I don't see the classic heart shaped rear pad however... I've seen lots of coyotes tracks but I'd say this is somekind of dog...any of those wolves been sighted in this area It's not a bear, If it's a coyote, mark the spot and return for the Mosquito Creek hunt, he'll be over 40 pounds for sure.. strange track...it's unusual in that it's not wide for as long as it is...
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Post by zodiakgsps on Jan 4, 2009 9:32:20 GMT -4
Frank, never heard of a wolf sighting here in PA or in NY before. I'd say these tracks measure 5"-5 1/2" X 4", they were easily 3X bigger than any yote track I've ever seen. The guy I was hunting with, who is an avid hunter of over 40yrs, thought at first they were small bear tracks until he got close enough to identify them, that's how big they were. They were following a small deer at an easy pace and for quite a ways......that's not a dogs nature, dogs run 'em for the most part.(not saying a dog wouldn't track one at a walk, normally they don't). I'll admit wolf crossed my mind, maybe a pet that got to much & was released even?? There are yotes here, saw some tracks from them also, as well as a bobcat track. (and my favorite critter, porcupines!!) Another thought was coy-dog perhaps?? Probably just a huge old farm dog that got loose, but the way my dog reacted was strange, not normal.
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Post by tbass on Jan 4, 2009 9:58:31 GMT -4
I have heard periodic rumors since the 90's about wolves migrating down from New England and Canada into upstate NY. Maybe the rumors aren't so far fetched. Another option is, perhaps its a lone wolf making a journey. We have heard stories about elk traveling 100's of miles away from the heard in Yellowstone. I would love to see wolves back in PA so I'll hope it was a wolf.
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Post by pahillbilly on Jan 4, 2009 10:06:33 GMT -4
If it is a wolf. It probably came from one of those idiots that go to these wild animal auctions buy a wolf hybrid, then can't feed it, so they turn it loose.
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Post by guru on Jan 4, 2009 21:18:13 GMT -4
"Big dog track? " YES.
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Post by frankinthelaurels on Jan 4, 2009 21:39:19 GMT -4
YES... there are wolves, one was killed near Glendale lake two years ago...never heard much about it...if I had a scanner I'd post the picture... the PGC took it and I never heard much about it since then..... I know of no other animal that it could be.. just a big ole dog sounds about right to me...
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Post by zodiakgsps on Jan 4, 2009 21:51:22 GMT -4
I agree, it's probably just a big dog running loose, but the only reason I bothered with a pic is my dogs reaction & the fact it was so far from anything. I'm going back next week, probably same area. I'll be looking to see if I find anymore.
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Post by trophiesonly on Jan 5, 2009 3:36:26 GMT -4
I would have to say dog also.A coyote,if you look,at hte one Frank posted.You can make a imaginary x across there print,without hitting a pad.
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