TRACKS AND SIGNS.
Old and experienced trappers can read the signs of the forest and
stream with a degree of accuracy that to the amateur is surprising.
In this way he can make a fair estimate of the number and kinds of
fur-bearing animals found in a locality, while the novice would see
nothing, or if he did see the tracks and signs he would not be able
to distinguish them, one from another.
To be able to read the signs accurately is essential for successful
hunting and trapping. The expert trapper will know instantly, on
seeing a track, just what animal it was that passed that way, and by
knowing its habits will know about when it is likely to return, and
how to place a trap for its capture. He can also tell with fair
accuracy at what time the animal passed that way, and frequently,
will know whether it was a male or female; whether it was looking for
food or a place of rest, whether it was on its regular route of
travel and where it was going. To the novice all of these signs are
unintelligible.
The art of sign reading can be learned only from experience. While
the writer can distinguish the signs and tracks of the fur-bearing
animals, to put this knowledge in print is exceedingly difficult.
However, I will endeavor here, to describe the tracks of the
fur-bearing and game animals, and believe that the description will
be of value to the amateur.
Before the coming of the tell-tale snow, and the myriads of tracks
which then appear, the stream with its muddy or sandy shores is per
haps the most promising place in which to look for signs. In the mud
alongside of a pool of water, the tracks of that busy little animal
the muskrat, can be seen.
The trail of this animal is accurately shown in the drawing. When
seen at the water's edge, and only a few tracks are visible, the
trail appears irregular, but if one can see where it has walked for
some distance, it will be noted that the animal has a regular step,
some five or six inches in length, and there is also the trail of the
dragging tail, most plainly seen in the soft muddy bottom of the
still, shallow water. In the snow the track will appear the same.
Only the prints of the hind feet are visible, the front feet being
very much smaller, and the print being obliterated by those of the
hind feet. When the animal is running the prints of all four feet are
readily discernible. The print of the hind foot will measure about
two and a fourth inches in length if the full impression of the foot
is to be seen.
[Illustration: Tracks of Furbearing Animals.]
In addition to the tracks other signs may be seen. Where the animals
are found in fair numbers they will have well defined trails leading
from the water. Where the bank is steep the trails are sometimes worn
an inch or more in depth, owing to the muskrat's habit of sliding
down the bank, which habit is not practiced in play, but for
convenience. Other signs are the droppings on the logs which extend
into the water; the dens with an accumulation of grass at the
entrance; also the scratch signs on the bank, the feed beds, houses,
etc.
All signs are plentiful in early fall, and at such times the novice
is likely to overestimate the number of animals, as the muskrat is
very active at that season.
The signs of the beaver are very similar to those of the muskrat, but
the tracks are much larger, and owing to the fact that the level of
the water in the vicinity of a beaver lodge, is raised far above the
muddy shores, by the dam the tracks are seldom seen. However, the
house and dam with the fresh cut wood, and well used trails are all
of the signs that are needed. Old houses and dams are found
frequently, but if there is no fresh cutting about, one may be
certain that the house is uninhabited.
One of the most puzzling things to the novice is to know the number
of inmates, that is, whether or not it is a full family, but methods
of determining this are given in the chapter dealing with this
animal. In the North the beavers are ice bound during the winter
months, but occasionally one may find them emerging from the water at
some springhole near the lodge or dam, and at such times the tracks
may be seen in the snow.
The trail of the otter is unmistakable, owing to its peculiar,
floundering, sliding mode of travel. It is seldom seen except in the
near vicinity of the water. In the snow, the track is well defined
and resembles the trail made by dragging a small log, the footprints
in the bottom of the trail being very distinct. The length of jump is
from four to eight feet, depending on the condition of the snow, and
the footprints will measure about two inches in diameter.
They travel under the ice whenever possible and one may see
frequently where the otter has bored into a snow bank at the water's
edge, trying to locate a weak spot in the ice. When they have been
working under the ice for some time one may find where they have been
entering at, and emerging from the spring holes near the shore. At
such places the snow will be packed down solidly and remains of fish
may be found.
When there is no snow, one may learn of the most frequented
localities by the number of slides and landing places. At the landing
places the droppings will be found, and they may be distinguished
from those of other animals from the large proportions of fish bones
and scales.
Another animal which will be found frequenting the waterways is the
mink. The track of this little animal may be found along the muddy
shore, where the steep bank crowds it down to the water's edge. At
other times it will travel several rods from the water, and after he
ice forms, will run on the ice, seldom going far from the shore. Its
method of travel is an easy lope, and the footprints are nearly
always in pairs about three inches apart one somewhat in advance of
the other, and separated by a distance of from one to two feet. The
footprints measure from one to one and three-fourths inches in
length. They are sometimes found entering the water at spring holes
in the ice, and at open places in the rapids.
About the outlets or inlets of lakes and ponds, and at the log-jams
or drifts on the stream one may sometimes find small, slender pointed
droppings on the stones or logs. These sign will show unmistakably
that the route is regularly used by at least one mink.
The track of the weasel is similar to that of the mink, but is
smaller, but as the weasel is not a water animal, its tracks are more
likely to be seen along the fences and where logs and rocks are
plentiful. Here the trail will be found leading here and there in an
aimless sort of way, and entering every nook and corner, where the
persistent little hunter thinks it may find a sleepy "bunny" or some
other animal or bird. The length of jump is from sixteen to twenty
inches and the footprints measure about one or one and a fourth
inches in length.
The marten has a similar method of travel and makes a track like
those of the mink and weasel, being a little larger than the track of
the mink and the footprint is broader and more rounded; the foot
being heavily furred the toes do not show so distinctly. The trail
will be found leading through the gullies and depressions of the
heavily timbered places, and occasionally they also travel on the
ridges.
Few signs are seen when the ground is bare but in the dark, sheltered
ravines, the droppings may sometimes be seen on the logs, resembling
those of the mink, but somewhat larger. Sometimes one may also find
where they have killed a bird or rabbit.
[Illustration: Tracks of Furbearing Animals.]
There is practically no difference between the track of the fisher
and that of the marten except in size. The footprints of the fisher
are perhaps a trifle more distinct, and will measure from two to two
and a half inches in length, the distance between each set of tracks
being from two and a half to four feet. The tracks of both the marten
and the fisher are found in the same kind of places, but the fisher
is more of a rambler and more given to rambling in the open country.
When the ground is bare one may see occasionally where they have
killed and eaten rabbits, in which case very little will remain
except the fur and toes of the victim.
Although the skunk is a member of the great weasel family, its method
of travel is decidedly different from that of the weasel, for it
seldom lopes, but has a slow, measured walk. The length of step is
about five or six inches, and the footprints are from one to one and
three-fourths inches in length. The trail is rather broad, and if the
snow is deep and soft the animal sinks deeply, so as to make a trail
with its body; however, the skunk seldom travels when the snow is in
that condition.
Signs of the skunk may be noted also in summer and early fall.
Occasionally one will find in the field, small excavations varying
from an inch and a half to four or five inches in depth, nicely
rounded and funnel shaped. This is the work of the skunk, and it was
hunting for insects or grubs.
The most conspicuous signs, however, are the dens, which may be found
along the steep, gravelly hillsides. Although the woodchuck makes a
similar den, one may be able to distinguish them, as a rule. If the
den is inhabited by skunks one will usually find black and white
hairs clinging to the mouth of the den, also will be likely to find a
pile of droppings somewhere near, and to one side of the entrance.
The walk of the opossum is similar to that of the skunk, but the
trail is broader, the footprints more spreading and the toes turned
outward. The feet being naked, the toes show very plainly. Their
tracks are only seen after a warm night, when the snow is melting,
and the dens are seldom found unless one can follow the trail. The
footprints will measure from one and a fourth to two and a half
inches in diameter.
The tracks made by the animals of the dog family, the fox, coyote and
wolf, are all similar, practically the only difference being in size.
The foxes make the smallest tracks, that of the red fox being about
two or two and a fourth inches in length and the length of step is
about fourteen inches. The female makes a narrower track than the
male, the same being true of many animals. There is no difference in
the tracks of the silver, cross and red foxes, they being all of the
same variety, but the gray fox makes a shorter and rounder track,
easily distinguished from that of the red fox.
In early fall one may see the droppings of the fox along the old wood
roads and stock paths, and they may be distinguished from those of
the dog by the remains of apples and other fruits which are found
there. Occasionally one may see the tracks in the mud or dust of the
old roads in the woods, and sometimes the dens are to be found.
As before mentioned the track of the coyote is identical with that of
the red fox, except that it is larger. The length of step is about
sixteen inches and the track will measure about two and one-half
inches in length by two inches in width.
The track of the timber wolf is larger, that of a full grown specimen
measuring about three inches in width by four in length, the length
of step being about eighteen or twenty inches.
As the tracks of the dogs are similar so also are those of the cats,
the wild cat, lynx and cougar, or mountain lion, the only difference
being in size. The two first named are plainly shown in the drawings,
and as will be noted, that of the wild cat is the smallest, and will
measure about two inches in diameter with a step of about fourteen
inches.
[Illustration: Tracks of Furbearing Animals.]
The lynx makes a step of about the same length and the footprint of a
large one will be from three to three and a half inches in width.
The cougar makes a larger track than the lynx, otherwise there is no
difference.
Occasionally one may find where these animals have killed game; the
lynx will eat all but the feet of a rabbit. The droppings may also be
seen at times. They resemble somewhat those of the fox, but are
slightly larger, and never show remains of fruit, as the lynx never
eats vegetable food.
Along the streams and shores of the lakes and ponds one may see in
summer and early fall the tracks of the raccoon, where the animal has
traveled the strip of mud at the water's edge, looking for frogs and
fish. One may trace the animal along the stream and will find that at
times it has waded in the shallow water, and then again has gone the
lope along the water's edge, or, perhaps has made a side journey to
some cornfield. At such places if coons are plentiful, one may find a
trail leading through the fence into a field. In parts of the South
where these animals are abundant, trails may also be found along the
ponds and swamps.
The coon belongs to the bear family, and like the bear steps on
nearly the entire bottom of the foot, instead of the toes only, as do
the cats and some other animals, therefore, the footprint is usually
long and narrow, and the foot being bare on the bottom, the long,
slender toes show up distinctively. The animal has the loping method
of travel, like the mink and weasel, but shows the print of a hind
foot beside that of the front foot, the right and left alternating.
The prints of the hind foot will measure from three to four inches in
length, when the entire track is visible.
One is not likely to mistake the track of the bear, as it is the
largest of the furbearing animals. As far north as Pennsylvania, its
tracks will occasionally be seen in the snow, but north of that tier
of states, the bears seldom move about after the coming of snow. The
tracks may sometimes be seen in the mud and wet moss of the northern
swamps, also on the shores of the lakes and along the streams.
The bear has a shuffling mode of walking and turns its toes outward.
It is fond of walking on logs and will do so frequently, where fallen
timber is plentiful. The track of a large black bear will sometimes
measure eight inches in length, and that of the grizzly bear will be
much larger.
[Illustration: Tracks of Game Animals.]
Although the tracks are not often seen, other signs are to be found,
such as logs and stumps, torn open by the bear in its search for
ants, etc., small poplars broken down in order to secure the young
leaves, claw marks on chestnut and black gum trees, overturned rocks,
and those most noticeable signs, the marked trails, which are
mentioned in the chapter describing this animal.
While the deer are not classed among the fur-bearing animals, they
are interesting to all trappers, and I have shown drawings of the
footprints of the common deer, the moose, the caribou, and the three
most common species of rabbits, namely; the common cottontail, the
snowshoe rabbit, or varying hare, and the jack rabbit. The tracks
shown in one-fifth size are of the cottontail.
As will be noted in the drawings of the deer tracks, that of the hind
foot is narrower and more pointed than that of the front. The doe
also makes a smaller and more slender track. The average track will
measure about two and a fourth inches in length. The moose makes a
similar track, but it is much larger and will measure about four and
a half to five and a half inches. The track of the caribou will
average somewhat smaller than that of the moose and is of decidedly
different shape. It is not so pointed, and the hoof being split much
higher, it spreads out more, also the prints of the two small toes on
the back of the foot are to be seen in nearly all cases, while the
moose does not always show them.
Almost everybody is familiar with the track of the rabbit, but I have
shown those of the three species mentioned, mainly to show the
difference in size. The feet being furred heavily, the prints of the
toes seldom show, except on hard snow.
Some of these tracks were drawn from memory, but others were sketched
from the actual trails. On the whole, I think they will be found to
be accurate, at least near enough to enable anybody to distinguish
the trails of the various animals, and I think that the descriptions
and illustrations will be of value to the amateur trapper when
looking over his territory and locating the runways of the animals
that he proposes to catch.