Big Foot print

[Magnum]

Hoping someone can tell what to expect ideas based on the pictures? I actually took pictures awhile back,  but I still keep seeing these tracks from time to time.. I have seen regular deer but never anything that would belong to this foot print.  Looks like a big heavy deer to me?

[tunaboat]

I would agree with you Tony.  Looks like it could be from a big deer.  Hog tracks are similar but more rounded in the toe area.

[airiscool]

Looks like a good sized Buck to me.

Paul.

[dk1677]

Bigfoot? ;-)  I agree with Paul, but I am no expert

[Magnum]

Ya, I am thinking a good size Buck too:) the pen next to the print is 5 1/2" long and its allot bigger than other tracks I see.. He must be very sly deer, due to the fact  I only ever see tracks in odd places and  to the side of trail !! I am going to be sly too and camo my game camera on the side.  I have had one down there on and off now for 2 years but nothing that would match up this print:)  The neighbors kids like 8-9 years old told me last year to be careful down by the lake because as there was a "Moose down there" I smiled and  recall thinking stuff like that, black panthers escaped from the zoo etc... ( I did not bother to tell them that moose do not live in NC, hate to spoil there excitement an all ).... I am now  starting to think/dream  maybe a viscous 16 pointer and the hoof splay is due to antler weight.  LOL.

[ray1377]

Its a big buck for sure.
Tracks are splayed out in front because of the heavy weight over the front feet.
I've seen tracks like this when a deer has jumped over a fence and his front feet hit the ground first.
Do you have any tracks that are not splayed out?
Also during the pre-rut the front toes will be rounded off more because of scraping  the ground.
What ever it is, you better have something bigger than an air gun with you when you see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray

[Magnum]

Ray,  
        Thanks for the ID. There were no truly un splayed tracks that I saw and no fences or obstacles in the way,  the picture I took were best example. I did follow them down to creek but stopped when I got to the thick stuff going up the other side, it is only the second time I have seen these tracks out in the open like this so I believe it is a sly beast and does not venture out of cover much! Otherwise I feel sure I would definitely have seen him before, I see tons of deer with normal hooves and they all know when I have an AG  lol:)
           I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to deer..  Is there anyway of estimating a weight/size/age  based on hoof length? I am also trying to get a game camera shot, but no luck yet other than does, raccoons and squirrels, is it possible that this big foot is suspicious of a camera?  Thanks, Tony.

[jake]

i would agree with others, big buck

[Wingman115]

I was watching a show on the discovery channel about feral pigs and the problems they cause. They say the population is booming in america. With that said it looks like the big buck tracks I used to see in Northern Maine as a boy hunting back in the day...

[bodiej]

EL Chupacabra!!!

[airiscool]

Splayed toe points of a walking Buck generally means it's very heavy and not a young Buck either.

But looking at the distance from toe tips to the round punch hole of the dew claws compared to your felt tipped pen, it's not quit as long as some of the bigger bucks we get up here that can go 180 - 190 lbs. I don't know how your Souther Deer average out for size, age, points, etc, but if I saw those tracks up here and had to  make a wild guess, by the length of the toes to dew claw, I'd guess  a 150-160 lbs, and 4 to 6 pointer ?  

Paul.