ALERT- Big Cat Tracks Found Near Logan

guns-n-painthorses

OK, So my neighbor stops me and asks me to look at some tracks in the snow. They look like a big dog, but, each toe has a very large claw impresion into the snow. Would a large cat retract it's claws like a domestic cat while walking? He says he seen some that were even bigger than these the other day. What should I be looking for? He says "they ain't dog tracks" but I remain skeptical(sp?). We have had sightings around here (as you all know) and this location fits right in with the rest of the sightings. About 1.2 miles from me. All said, I know nothing about tracks unless trains run on them so what should I do?

s.gun

Where is Logan ?

guns-n-painthorses

Logan is in Iowa and about 40 miles northeast of Omaha NE. on US hiway 30.

guns-n-painthorses

Logan is in Iowa and about 40 miles northeast of Omaha NE. on US hiway 30.Now I know I didn't hit send twice..........[This message has been edited by guns-n-painthorses (edited 02-06-2002).]

gunpaq

This past deer season in Potter County I heard a story about the Dumb Guy from Coatesville who found some big cat tracks near the East Fork several days before. There had been a series of cougar sightings in the area around that time. Apparently the Dum Guy from Coatesville, who was up for another ill-fated hunting adventure, had discovered some big cat tracks along a logging trail. Anticipating a sighting of a big cat he followed the tracks for several hours and missed meeting his buddies for lunch and their planned afternoon deer drive. Fearing another misadventure his buddies notified the authorities that he was probably lost again and a search was initiated in hopes of finding him before dark. The Dumb Guy, with dogged determination, continued following the tracks until almost dark when he came to an ominous looking clearing. Cautiously entering the clearing he was unexpectantly surprised by the menacing source of the big cat tracks. Only yards away, the big cat with two glaring shining eyes and raised bladed teeth let out a frightening roar as it readied to pounce on it's pitiful prey. Stumbling backwards over some rocks he raised his rifle in defense of his life and fired a deadly volley. Dropped in it's tracks, the mighty beast let out a loud hiss and growl as the 180 grain 30-06 rounds ripped into it's center mass. In the throws of death the big cat groaned and dropped it's bladed teeth to ground as steam rose in the air from it's last gasping breaths of life. This traumatic experience was too much for his frail nerves and the Dumb Guy collapsed in shock after firing his last round. Although in fear of his life, the Dumb Guy from Coatesville, again, had made another illegal kill by destroying this rare big cat. Moments later the his buddie's search party along with the distraught D-9 dozer operator arrived on the scene. This was the story as it was told to me, a true story that never happened.

---

Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.[This message has been edited by gunpaq (edited 02-06-2002).]

He Dog

Large cats have protractile claws like domestic cats do, and the claws do not show on tracks. Often coyote, wolf and dog claws do not show either, but if claws do show it is most likely a canid. In your area dog or coyote are the most likely candidates. There is also a subtle difference in the arrangement of toes on the paws of cats and dogs. Generally dogs have two center toes a bit forward with the outter toes set back just a bit giving the appearance of a stepped pyramid. Cat tracks have a very similar shape, but with more of a tendency for the toe prints to show as an arc with less set back on the outter toes.

Miss. Creant

MEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW