Mystery Predator

[Ole and Lena]

Sounds like fisher or pine marten, possibly mink if you live near water. VERY tough animals. They can fit through a rat hole, climb like a squirrel, fight like a dog and sneak like a cat. Look for paired tracks in the dirt. They bound when they run, front feet and hind feet bunching pairs 2-4" apart, look like elongated cat tracks. They tend to eat in place in small portions and will always defecate near their dinner. Looks like small greasy cat poop and will often contain small rodent bones. They cover a very large territory so predation will be sporadic.

They are quite people-shy. A leaving a radio on might be effective. Look for a local trapper this fall. Their pelts bring a good price and somebody will be happy to go after them for you in season. You might be able to live-trap one as they are prone to entering tunnels and enclosed spaces. Never tried it but they are very clever so best of luck if you do. A musk type lure specifically for mustelids (weasel family) from a trapping supplier will make effective bait.

 

[theFox]

This will give you an idea of the size areas traveled by an individual fisher and was taken from: http://www.nationaltrappers.com/fisher.html

Male territories are larger than female territories and the sizes of these regularly patrolled areas vary according to the availability of prey species. A 10 square mile territory is typical for a female fisher and males commonly hunt a 30 square mile area. Circuits are irregularly patrolled although fishers travel pretty much in a straight line when they have determined to go to a certain location. Males usually pass through a given area in their territory about once every two weeks. Female circuits in winter usually vary from 3 days to a week.

 

[Billfred97]

I am near a large stream, and I do know that there is a fisher cat around here, I've set a live trap with a piece of chicken as bait so I hope to catch it soon, I'll tell you guys what it is when I catch it and I'll try to post a picture of it as-well, thanks for all your help.