What
Species:
Species Identification Confidence:
I'm very confident
Observation Method(s):
Observed Individual(s) in Hand or Close Range
Count:
2
Count Type:
Absolute
Sex:
Unknown
Life State:
Alive
Life Stage:
Unknown
Species Account:
Two different sightings in the past two years.
A couple years ago, while fishing on the Lochsa river in early spring, I observed a fisher about 30-40 yards away as it crossed a patch of snow on the far side of the river. It covered a distance of perhaps 20-30 yards at a moderate pace before it disappeared into the foliage. Dark brown color, low slung, approximate 3' long with a full tail.
The second sighting was also in the Lochsa drainage, last fall ( 2021 ) while headed to the Lochsa to fish. This one ran out onto the highway maybe 50 yards ahead of my vehicle from the right side, bounced around a couple times and then headed back into the foliage on the right side of the highway as I approached quite closely. Same basic description as above.
Note - I have been fishing on the upper 30 miles of the Lochsa river approximately 1000 days since the summer of 2009. During that time I have observed one wolverine ( April of 2016 ) and have researched a number of critters that I might expect to encounter in that drainage. I was already well informed about the appearance of a fisher before the first sighting and confirmed it after that sighting. I had no doubts at all about the second sighting.
A couple years ago, while fishing on the Lochsa river in early spring, I observed a fisher about 30-40 yards away as it crossed a patch of snow on the far side of the river. It covered a distance of perhaps 20-30 yards at a moderate pace before it disappeared into the foliage. Dark brown color, low slung, approximate 3' long with a full tail.
The second sighting was also in the Lochsa drainage, last fall ( 2021 ) while headed to the Lochsa to fish. This one ran out onto the highway maybe 50 yards ahead of my vehicle from the right side, bounced around a couple times and then headed back into the foliage on the right side of the highway as I approached quite closely. Same basic description as above.
Note - I have been fishing on the upper 30 miles of the Lochsa river approximately 1000 days since the summer of 2009. During that time I have observed one wolverine ( April of 2016 ) and have researched a number of critters that I might expect to encounter in that drainage. I was already well informed about the appearance of a fisher before the first sighting and confirmed it after that sighting. I had no doubts at all about the second sighting.
Where
Location:
Decimal Degrees: 46.4,-114.9
Location Precision:
±1000 meters
Location Resource:
Mile Marker used
Location Use:
Unknown
Region:
Game Management Unit:
County:
Highway:
US-12
Milepost:
150.00
When
Date Time:
March 26, 2022 (All day)
Date/Time Precision:
Day
Who
& How
Identification Tools:
Internet resources
Survey Method:
Incidental Observation
Location Unresolveable:
No
Source Type:
Animal Observation Report (Sightings)
Verification Status:
Possible
Identified By:
John Scott