Name that predator track!

[DoeAndGander]

Yeah, looking again, you're right, probably not squirrel. I didn't notice the boot prints in the first picture until now, the tracks look pretty small and close together compared to them. Maybe it is a small rodent OP. Did you notice where they come from or go to? Or are they just passing through?

They’re definitely bigger than a mouse - I’m going with rat or vole. I’ll be keeping my eye out for more too! They made a teardrop track around the went to coop step and back under open coop. Thinking about possibly closing in with 1/4 HC in the spring

Here is a pic of a Norway rat bounding in snow... from the book shown
View attachment 1646948
View attachment 1646950

We have rats so that could very well be. Thanks!

if it looks to be bigger than a mouse...being it's tunneling under the snow i vote vole.. https://www.google.com/search?q=vole+tracks+in+snow&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=QIjMypD50tDPaM%3A%2C6t6pVFJ70sfCNM%2C_&usg=AI4_-kQYPSDWfCgjWMQdZZTBkuOK4t6FYw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT7Pv3kvvfAhVK2oMKHW8gBOwQ9QEwCXoECAAQFg#imgrc=QIjMypD50tDPaM:

my dog caught a meadow vole today

I caught a few in the garage recently! I’ve never seen so many until moving to the country. Thanks!

 

[sourland]

I believe that you are correct on thinking rat.

 

[DoeAndGander]

And the same tracks leading from one coop to the other! Setting out bait station today

 

[cmom]

I would put up your game camera.

 

[MROO]

If you have cats or a dog that go outside, be careful with the bait station. Make sure the entry point is way too small for a cat to get in and the station is pup-chew-proof. My neighbors learned that the hard way with a barn cat.

 

[DoeAndGander]

I would put up your game camera.

I just might! Wrap it in insulation and hope it lasts a few hours at least?!

 

[Molpet]

I would put up your game camera.

might be too small to set off the game cam

 

[DoeAndGander]

If you have cats or a dog that go outside, be careful with the bait station. Make sure the entry point is way too small for a cat to get in and the station is pup-chew-proof. My neighbors learned that the hard way with a barn cat.

Good call! I have the Tom Cat child and dog safe stations. I’m assuming they’re cat safe as the actual bait is inside the plastic maze wall.. if that even makes sense

 

[Grits&Eggs]

might be too small to set off the game cam

I catch rats running through my yard with my Arlo, no sure if the trail cam has sensitivity settings but I have mine on high sensitivity. If it is a rat, you will never see it, except on camera!!

 

[cmom]

I have moths and flying insects that sometimes set my cameras off. I'm not sure about how the temperature affects the game cameras. I live in North Florida and sometimes in the winter we get some cold nights below freezing and my cameras work fine.