Bobcat?

[cooperhill]

I was hiking on Mt. Crawford this afternoon. While hiking down from the summit around 12:30pm, I saw what I initially thought was a dog/golden retriever. It came from the woods from the opposite side of the trail. It was about 40 feet downhill from me. Upon further inspection (a quick look because it didn't stay around for long) it looked definitely cat-like with pointy ears and a smooched cat-like face. It was about the size of my small Labrador retriever (16 inches tall - 2 ft or a bit less long). It looked brownish but it could have been the light. I was at Pinkham later and the person there said that Bobcats are usually grayish in color.

My question is could this have been a bobcat if it was reddish in color - again this could have been the light. Are bobcats know to be out during midday? It was a quick look but it definitely DID NOT have (read Coyote -fox) features.

Needless to say it was an awesome encounter.

Thanks.

 

[Mattl]

Yes it probably was a bobcat. If it was more gray and seemed large it could have been a Lynx as well. Too bad you didn't get a picture. -Mattl

 

[nietzschescat]

bobcat

I saw a bobcat crossing the road (Northern Dutchess County/NYS) and my first thought was dog specifically labrador retriever. The color and size was about the same, but it was obviously a cat without a tail once I kind of absorbed what I was seeing.

My dad was lucky enough to see one carrying it's kitten in it's mouth in the same part of the state.

 

[sardog1]

It looked brownish but it could have been the light. I was at Pinkham later and the person there said that Bobcats are usually grayish in color.

My question is could this have been a bobcat if it was reddish in color - again this could have been the light.

Tain't called "Lynx rufus" fer nuttin'. Yer Pinkham contact needs to see more bobcats.

 

[mookie]

very possible

very possible,
several confirmed bobcat sightings here in vermont.
this article was from march of 08

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?s=7971527

 

[bikehikeskifish]

N.H. Fish And Game: Bobcat Population On The Rise

http://www.wmur.com/news/18621310/detail.html

(A brief story, but it confirms some recent discussions about the population increase.)

Tim

 

[Jazzbo]

Lynx rufus rufus -- Northeast and Central USA

Sardog1's link indicates sub-species in northeast is called Lynx rufus rufus -- Northeast and Central USA . So red fur would appear to be stronger indicator. What elevation did you see it at? Was in neighborhood of the summit? We found pawprint recently in high altituce spruce just below Mendon Peak (~3800'). There were lots of snowshoe hare tracks nearby so I expect it hunts for hare! Har Har!

 

[kevinmac]

Nice article and photos from NHFG about the Bobcat:

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife_Journal/WJ_sample_stories/WJ_f08_Bobcats.pdf

 

[stu]

Lots of

bobcats down here in the "flat-lands" of CT/MA as well. On a hike over Mt. Race this past weekend there were bobcat tracks all over the place, as well as rabbit/hare tracks, their favorite snack. They are definitly on the increase. I've seen many (at least 12) in the past few years, several from my kitchen window! Very cool.

cheers, Stu

 

[Snowflea]

TWELVE??!! Wow. In all my years of hiking/running trails, I've seen only two bobcats: one on the AT in the Shenandoahs (Virginia), the other during my run of the Ouachita Trail in Arkansas just a couple of weeks ago. (Saw an armadillo, too!) Always a special treat to witness the less commonly seen wildlife on the trails.

 

[Jay H]

Saw on the news tonight that somebody just caught a 45lb bobcat in Staten island, NY and turned it over to animal control... Had a picture of the cute guy in a cage...

Jay