Fishercats

[numbskull]

I think I also saw a fishercat tonight in Falmouth. Just before dusk I rounded a point while out plugging with my dog and about 300 yds away saw a fast black cat-like animal dash off the beach. Hard to judge size from the distance away, but it looked bigger and faster than a cat. Found its tracks, clusters of four in a hoping pattern about 28-36" apart. The track looked too big to be a regular cat. It went up a well worn path through the beach grass that my dog has been taking an inordinate interest in all winter (I thought it was a coyote path). I also recall hearing godawful screams one night last summer. Maybe Joe can confirm the track? I don't want my dumbass golden to meet up with this creature.

[robc22]

Keep your cats and small dogs in if you think a fisher is living locally......

[numbskull]

My dog is not small......just dumb.

[Raven]

about certain things
especially their FEARS

they can be educated tho
and that requires patience
and ingenuity ....

i like dogs that can't fetch
or dogs that cannot sit up
those are the easiest to teach

try teachin them to roll over
thats a toughy....(for some)

our dog is smart and clever
to the point she's learned to
understand the words we spell
so she won't catch on to us
saying those certain words ...

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by numbskull

My dog is not small......just dumb.

Jesus George, give sauerkraut a break for gods sake. Just cause he loves eels doesn't make him dumb!!!

[otherscott]

I saw a fish and a cat in my back yard this weekend!

[WoodyCT]

Not a fur bearing critter, but I have added Rose Breasted Grosbeaks to my list of seen birds.

Had one of each at the feeder yesterday AM.

[Raven]

but you should have posted it
in the backyard bird watching thread

[WoodyCT]

Originally Posted by Raven

but you should have posted it
in the backyard bird watching thread

My bad. Didn't realize this is a mammaries only thread.

I also have Chipmunks out the wazoo. One has a gray back, not rusty brown, which is a bit unusual.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Raven]

Originally Posted by WoodyCT

My bad. Didn't realize this is a mammaries only thread.

I also have Chipmunks out the wazoo. One has a gray back, not rusty brown, which is a bit unusual.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

----------------------------------------------------------------------
you do whatever you like WoodyCT
but keep in mind that Fishers are known to
drop out of tree's and kill birds like RBG's
as well as all other smaller animals

thats all... a weasel is a weasel
no matter what you wanna call them
they are the biggest marauder of chicken coops
that ever came down the pike.

[JFigliuolo]

We have 2 pairs and a few other young males that frequent our feeders.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I don't want my dumbass golden to meet up with this creature.

it's not lethal like a badger is
a golden would make it run away
they are not bold

[Van]

Originally Posted by Raven

it's not lethal like a badger is
a golden would make it run away
they are not bold

My (I mean my wife's) little yorkie saw a squirrel in the yard the other day. I've never seen that little sheet run so fast.
Laughed my arse off !!!!!

7 pounds of PURE TERROR !!!!!!!

[Rockfish9]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I think I also saw a fishercat tonight in Falmouth. Just before dusk I rounded a point while out plugging with my dog and about 300 yds away saw a fast black cat-like animal dash off the beach. Hard to judge size from the distance away, but it looked bigger and faster than a cat. Found its tracks, clusters of four in a hoping pattern about 28-36" apart. The track looked too big to be a regular cat. It went up a well worn path through the beach grass that my dog has been taking an inordinate interest in all winter (I thought it was a coyote path). I also recall hearing godawful screams one night last summer. Maybe Joe can confirm the track? I don't want my dumbass golden to meet up with this creature.

Judging from the rear pad mark, it looks like a fisher, Fisher are not cats, but a member of the Weasel family, most resembeling large mink... females are smaller than the males, a large adult female only gets to about 6 lbs... a large male, can get to12-15lbs.. i got a large male once that was 18lbs and measured 40" from nose to tail.....normaly they prefer conifer forests boardering swamps.... they love to hunt stone walls for mice , chipmunks and love red squirrels... but also eat acorns and fruits when they are in bumper crop....their ankles are unique, and can rotate 90 degre either way from center... great for chasing grey and red squirrels in trees... like all members of the weasel family, they are highly nomadic, they make their circuit about every 7 to 10 days, except when denned up with young... when the run they bound with their backs arched...... theitr body motion kind of look like a seal with legs when the are running...

[numbskull]

Thanks. That sounds like what I saw. Sort of bounded off the beach and had a hunched shape as it did it. Pond/swamp behind the beach and some pines nearby. All fits.