What
Species:
Species Identification Confidence:
I'm very confident
Observation Method(s):
Individual(s) Observed (seen)
Count:
1
Count Type:
Absolute
Sex:
Unknown
Life State:
Alive
Life Stage:
Unknown
Species Account:
I was not able to get a photograph and did not think to look for tracks at the time. But I did text two friends within 5 minutes of seeing it and stopping my truck. I have cut and pasted my description to them that I sent immediately upon seeing it below:
"What did I just see? About a 40 lb animal, black with a long black tail kind of loping off of the road? Wasn't a badger or skunk. I have no idea. I backed up but it's off the road."
I never considered the idea it was a wolverine until I got home and spoke with my wife.
It had a strange gait where it's front shoulders seemed to roll forward as it walked. It was all black with long hair. It was low to the ground. I was not able to see it's face.
I went back the next day to look for tracks. But the road was so dry and firm that I saw nothing. The sides of the road were either loose sand or deep pine needles. So, I could not find anything with definition there either.
When I saw it I was driving down the road at 8:50 pm (the text was time stamped). As I came around a curve it was crossing in front of me and went into the bushes as I came to a stop. I was able to see it take 4-5 steps before it went off the side and down the hill.
The locTion I put in below is from the GPS in my iPhone. It looks right on the map.
"What did I just see? About a 40 lb animal, black with a long black tail kind of loping off of the road? Wasn't a badger or skunk. I have no idea. I backed up but it's off the road."
I never considered the idea it was a wolverine until I got home and spoke with my wife.
It had a strange gait where it's front shoulders seemed to roll forward as it walked. It was all black with long hair. It was low to the ground. I was not able to see it's face.
I went back the next day to look for tracks. But the road was so dry and firm that I saw nothing. The sides of the road were either loose sand or deep pine needles. So, I could not find anything with definition there either.
When I saw it I was driving down the road at 8:50 pm (the text was time stamped). As I came around a curve it was crossing in front of me and went into the bushes as I came to a stop. I was able to see it take 4-5 steps before it went off the side and down the hill.
The locTion I put in below is from the GPS in my iPhone. It looks right on the map.
Where
Location:
Decimal Degrees: 43.7,-115.7
Location Precision:
±50 meters
Location Resource:
Transformed Location
Location Use:
Unknown
Region:
Game Management Unit:
County:
When
Date Time:
September 30, 2016 (All day)
Date/Time Precision:
Minute
Who
& How
Identification Tools:
After discussing it with my wife I looked it up on the internet.
Survey Method:
Incidental Observation
SA code (IDFG Reference Code):
Location Unresolveable:
No
Source Type:
Animal Observation Report (Sightings)
Verification Status:
Possible