Animal Tracks Identification

Identifying wildlife tracks in the field can be a difficult task depending on the type of game your tracking. For instance, can you tell the difference between a doe and mature buck track? 

From deer to elk, turkeys to squirrels, coyotes to foxes, and even bobcats and bear, correct animal tracks identification can make or break your scouting trips, not to mention add a lot to your overall hunting knowledge. 

This animal tracks identification chart will help make it a little easier to identify wildlife tracks of some of the most common foot, paw and hoof prints you'll see while hunting in Arkansas. 

Deer

Did you know in 1930, the state of Arkansas had less than 500 deer? That's pretty hard to imagine these days.

Today, most of us see so many deer tracks we don't think twice about them. However, a little examination can tell you a lot about the deer hanging out in your area. Is it a doe and fawn? Or are there a couple of big bucks hanging out in your neighborhood woods? Check out the chart below and start keeping tabs on your local whitetails.

Black Bear

Once known as the "Bear State," Arkansas's black bear population declined rapidly in the 19th century because of over-hunting and was nearly gone in the early decades of the 20th century. However, black bears have made a comeback over the last 50 years, and black bear hunting is becoming more and more popular. Front paw will be around 4 inches (ranging from 3.5 to 5.5) with the back paw around 5 to 6.5 inches on average.

Bobcat

Because bobcats are seldom seen by hunters due to their extremely nocturnal nature, you're much more likely to come across a bobcat track than an actual bobcat itself. Bobcat tracks show four toes on the front foot and four toes on the hind foot. Front tracks in soft mud are 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 inches long and 1 3/4 to 2 3/8 inches wide. The hind tracks in mud are 2 to 2 3/8 inches long and 1 1/2 to 1 7/8 inches wide.

Coyote

Before 1950, coyotes were found only in the most western portions of the state. However, today, coyotes are found in every county in Arkansas, 

The front paw prints average between two and one-quarter and two and three-quarter inches long. The width of the front paw print ranges from one and three-quarter to two and three-eights inches.

Elk

An estimated 450 to 500 elk are believed to now inhabit Arkansas thanks to a restocking by the Arkansas Game and Fish in the 1980's. Mostly located along the Buffalo River in Searcy and Newton counties, elk are some of the Natural State's most popular wildlife. 

Generally the length of an adult elk track is between 4 and 4 3/4 inches

Feral Hog 

Feral (wild) hogs are widespread in Arkansas, and hunters are free to harvest them year-round because of the devastation they cause. A hog track is much more rounded that a deer track, though close to the same size. The hog track as a whole has a square shape while the deer track appears heart-shaped. 

Gray Fox

Red Fox

Raccoon

Once one of the most popular game to hunt in Arkansas, raccoon hunting is not what it once was. However, with the right coon hound and the right habitat, treeing coons can be downright fun and a nice change of pace. Check out the raccoon tracks below:

Skunk

Tracking an animal can be an exhilarating experience. Finding a fresh track can lead you on hours-long adventures in the woods. However, there are some tracks that will make you turn the other way. Such is the case with a skunk. Unless you're into smellls you can't get rid of, take a hard look at this track, and the next time you come up on one in the woods, run the other way. 

Interesting fact: While striped skunks are still relatively common in the state, spotted skunks have actually been on the decline in Arkansas and are rarely seen anymore at all. While many folks like poultry farmers and turkey hunters will say "good riddance," spotted skunks actually only eat insects for the most part. Biologists are trying to figure out why spotted skunks are disappearing.

Squirrel

Wild Turkey

Before settlers came to Arkansas, the state was overrun with wild turkeys. While the number is not known, it's been speculated they numbered more than a million in the Natural State. However, with clearing of thick forests for farms and homesteads, wild turkey habitat was soon destroyed. Combined with over-hunting, Arkansas turkeys were near extinction at one point. In the 1940's, it's said that no more than 7,000 or 8,000 turkeys existed in Arkansas. However, thanks to a trap and transfer program started by the AGFC after WWII, wild turkey populations began to again return. Today, it's said that more than 200,000 turkeys inhabit the Natural State.