What would tree a raccoon?

[texasjohn]

Those ARE coon tracks. And, yes, it is highly unusual for a coon to go to a smaller limb... they prefer to hug a larger branch if possible and one is available. I think it would actually go to a small limb only if force there because something else was pushing it there.. either another coon or a martin, as has been suggested.

Go out in your backyard with a weak light... not a STRONG search light... you will pick up eyes that way.. strong light makes stuff look the other way. Once having located a critter, you can shoot it between the eyes... or proceed with some other nocturnal activity.

 

[hitekcountry]

I found a web page that shows tracks of the various animals we've been discussing.
I've seen tracks on my property before that looked to be unusual but didn't paid much attention before, from now on I will.

Tracking Identification Guide from Wild Things Unlimited

 

[3RRL]

I don't think you generally have Fishers out in your area. You are not to far from me. Those prints are raccoon prints for sure.
The animal treeing the coon...
You say it was "in" the tree after the coon? It could have been another coon or a large Bobcat or a Lion. Although the cats generally avoid larger raccoons, since they are no push over. So I'm thinking it was probably another raccoon unless you find cat prints.
They are all over you area.

 

[dieselalles]

Could it have been a Jack Russell Terrorist? My sister's JRT was death on coons and possums, snakes, cats, etc. It even took down an Emu but my sister got to the dog before it applied the Coup de Gr稍e to the bird. How did that little dog do that? The JRT ran the bird into the ground. When the bird dropped from exhaustion, the little dog went for the neck. The only things it hasn't tackled, as far as I know are coyotes, skunks and bobcats. But it was a large copperhead that almost did her in. Luckily my sister got her to the vet before it killer her. Her little head was swelled up like a balloon.

But it the raccoons that puzzle me. The little JRT will show up with blood all over her (most of it not hers) and she will cheerfully lead you to the mangled corpse of a large coon she just killed. It's the darnedest thing I've ever seen.

 

[circlelake]

One night I heard the most God awful scream (like a young girls scream) outside my bedroom and it was two coon. Both of them out to the end of this limb that wasn't much biggerr than a pencil. The furthest one out was hanging on with one front paw and fighting with the other. Surprised it didn't break the limb.

 

[rox]

LMTC,
I actually saw a Fischer on our olive farm in Provence. I posted here a description of what I saw, which was lightining speed, I never saw another animal run that fast and the body shape and after looking over the research have concluded that I did see a Fischer. And I believe, correct me if I am wrong, not many people actually ever see a Fischer. One thing is for certain it really wiped out the rabit population. We used to have quite a number of rabbits, but no more.

 

[schmism]

the track in the center of the screen is likely a house cat.

most of the heal pad impression is missing (or lacking because of contrast)

but its of the cat family with a retractable claw. that would include both the bobcat and mountian lion but both of there tracks are consiberably larger. as you can easly see the size is on the same order of magnatude as the coon. (the long "fingery" tracks) which would fit a house cat as they are roughly the same size animal.

a seasoned housecat with claws could certianly give a yong coon a run for its money.

 

[N80]

I'd also bet it was two coons. They used to raid my birdfeeders here in the suburbs. Really didn't want them in my backyard with my pets but couldn't figure out what to do. Finally I just got my .22, ran outside and treed them, had my son or daughter shine them and shoot them right between the eyes. I must have killed a dozen and now I haven't seen one in a year or so. Used .22 shorts to avoid disturbing the neighbors. Never got a complaint.

Is this fisher people are talking about the same as a fisher martin? Related to weasels and wolverines? I have heard they are ferocious but I doubt one would mess with a full grown coon. But, we don't have them here so I might be wrong. Around here not much messes with coon. Dogs do, but sometimes even a big dog can come out on the losing end. I suspect a coyote could take a small one, but most predators do not eat things that they have to fight with, risk is too high.

 

[keving]

Fisher. This morning I didn't know it existed.

I was sitting in my tree stand this morning and saw this incredible animal in action. It was bouncing along the forest floor looking for something in the leaves. It would go completely under the leaves and come back out. It found what is was looking for - a squirrel!!!

It then proceeded to eat the head completely off - crunching and crunching!

It then ripped the body in half and ate and ate until it could pick it up and carry it through the woods. This episode took about an hour and I was amazed that I have never even seen or heard about this animal.... I need to be in the woods more!!!

 

[Richard]

I was beginning to think it was the much feared "ManBearPig"...