Help me identify an animal

[Pro2A]

I was out turkey hunting today when at about 1630 or so I thought I saw a turkey roosting in a tree. I slowly got up and walked over. I called a few times and got nothing. I heard some turkeys down over the hill previously.

I wasn't sure if what I was seeing was a turkey yet, so I held my shot. Slowly the animal started climbing down the tree in a sloth like manner. It was black and about the size of a turkey... but obviously it wasn't a turkey since it was climbing down the tree. I am hunting at my father in laws property in Northern PA in Bradford County near the NY state line... what animal could it have been?

My assumption was a porcupine... but I cant say I've known them to climb trees.

[jaron3]

Porcupines most definitely climb trees. Could have been one. Other things that are about the same size as a turkey and climb trees are raccoons and possibly fishers. Hope this helps.

[Story]

Is a friend of his, Senor.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unle...-in-texas.html

[Pro2A]

Originally Posted by jaron3

Porcupines most definitely climb trees. Could have been one. Other things that are about the same size as a turkey and climb trees are raccoons and possibly fishers. Hope this helps.

You nailed it. It looked exactly like a fisher. What the heck are they? I've never even heard of one, let alone seen one until today.

It most certainly was not a raccoon, i've seen plenty of them. Plus this was one solid color.



It was about 100 yards out so it wasn't crystal clear, but it was the same color and shape.

[Searcher67]

Well, when you say "sloth like" My first impression was/is a porky! I'll bet dollars to donuts thats what you saw.

[Xringshooter]

Porcs sure can climb trees. One year I was going up into my tree stand (on private land) to see if it needed any repairs before the season started and came nose to nose with one when my head came level with the floor of the stand. Scared the hell out of me. I backed down rather quickly and he went farther up the tree. If it was moving "sloth" like, it was probably a porker, fishers move pretty sleekly.

[WCO,R.W.J]

Link to wildlife note on Fishers.

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/v...a=458&q=150804

Link to all wildlife notes.

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/v...a=458&q=160464

[larrymeyer]

I've seen groundhogs climb trees when the dogs chased them

[fingers80002]

Originally Posted by larrymeyer

I've seen groundhogs climb trees when the dogs chased them

We were discussing this, tonight at the fun store.......