Fisher cat

[30Cal]

I was out deer hunting (bow season) in a steep woodlot here in Albany. Sitting by a tiny creek. 2 deer ticks, but no deer spotted. The leaves were wet from last nights rain, and I left my stump a little early and still hunted my way back to the jeep.

About half way back, I ran into a critter I've never seen in all my time in the woods--a fisher cat!! Radiant, almost black; dark chocolate forward of the shoulders. Wasn't sure what it was at the time, but I knew it wasn't a mink--it was almost 3ft long from tip to end, brawney, and had the most luxurious looking pelt I've ever seen in my life. He was only 15yds away, sniffing the spot where I'd taken a leak on the way in for a good 2-3 minutes. He finally wandered off without realizing I was standing right there on open ground.

Had my 20yd pin buried in him, but couldn't bring myself to spoil such a gorgeous pelt with a broadhead--I need all the hunting karma I can get. But I wish I'd had my camera handy. It would have shamed any pictures you can find on google. I have to say, it was right up there with an October brook trout as far as beauty goes.

Good day!

 

[Rusty Spinner]

On my way home a year ago from the WBD, I watched one walk across the road in NY on route 42 between Monticello and Port Jervis. Saw two in Vermont back in the 70s, both while deer hunting. Trappers are now seeing them as far as NJ. As porcupines expand and as trapping has ceased, the fishers have been making a quiet come back to our area. Great to see one!

 

[Oliver10]

On my way home a year ago from the WBD, I watched one walk across the road in NY on route 42 between Monticello and Port Jervis. Saw two in Vermont back in the 70s, both while deer hunting. Trappers are now seeing them as far as NJ. As porcupines expand and as trapping has ceased, the fishers have been making a quiet come back to our area. Great to see one!

Jealous, I have always wanted to see one.

 

[Trout Nazi]

They can get pretty nasty and territorial. One came after a friend of mine in his tree stand up in VT.

 

[BrownChickenBrownTrout]

I swear I saw one on the SBR but thought it was out if it's range. Maybe I did.

 

[JeffK]

Watched one at a glacial lake in Rocky Mountain Park a few years ago. One guy was fishing the lake and when he caught a fish he laid in on the shoreline snow pack. The fisher was in the talus and as soon as the guy was fishing he would come out, snatch the fish, and go back into the rocks in a flash. The fisher got three fish before the guy caught on. It was pretty funny since the guy had no idea where his fish were going.

 

[Trout Fever]

wait till trappig season i believe nov 10 in new york that pelt is worth between 175 and 100 bucks if taken care of correctly

 

[moosekid]

My dachshund killed one in northern MN, but he was a tremendous hunting dog.

They can get pretty nasty and territorial. One came after a friend of mine in his tree stand up in VT.