What are these tracks?

[ChuckN]

I know, poor photos, but should give an idea? Just curious what made the tracks in the snow on a pond. I couldn't get closer.

[rumeye]

Maybe an Otter?

[BuschPilot]

I would say Snow snakes, very lethal and deadly up here, only come out at night!! Got to watch where you step, they'll sneak up on ya too!

[SM1]

I would say either snow snake or a goose with an anchor tied to its feet!

[ChuckN]

I'll watch for the snow snake...

Never seen tracks with a deep rut down the center and paddle like tracks off to the sides... Sea Lion?

[BuschPilot]

have you've ever seen those monster millipedes that come out this time of year as well, they'll snack on all the dead fishies that peoples throws on the lakes, i have seen them come about 5' long and have big eyes and tentacles on there head as well.

[DonBo]

How big are they? I've seen otters slide through the snow like this for miles.

[leech~~]

Crop circles for sure! Or maybe a messed up Goose flapping it's wings? Or Drunk buddy draging his bibs going from hole to hole??

[kr8r.tom]

hard to tell i'd guess some sort of bird dragging something trying to get airborne. how far did they go?

[ChuckN]

I couldn't get close to the tracks. Guessing 2' wide? There was open water nearby and I couldn't see how far the tracks went...it looked like a long ways.

[DonBo]

I'll bet it was an otter if they are that big and near open water.

[fishermusk]

Wayward Loon?

[leechmann]

I would say it's a crippled bird. Maybe a duck or goose that was shot and can't walk anymore, so it is pulling itself through the snow with it's wings.

[tanman]

Wayward Loon?

sounds good to me

[forest]

Beaver with a big Northern in it's mouth!!!

[The Grebe]

If there was a picture of how it started, or how it ended, it might be a little easier to decipher...I would have to go with a raptor trying to make off with something that was just a bit to heavy.

Might have been that danged Pilated Woodpeck from awhile back, with a humongus frikken grub from inside that bored out tree?

Something else....maybe the wind was blowing something along? Those marks on the side look pretty danged uniform?

[sparcebag]

Off the wall guess---Bird propelling itself with its wings,Or your playin tricks with us?

[snoozebutton]

Penguin.

[123fish]

Good one forest.

[so haaad]

My vote is for an otter also. It's probably not the one in Fergus Falls though.

[Nightcrawler]

i say bird, not otter,..

[Dave S]

This is a tough call. If it was a wounded bird, there would almost certainly be some variation in the tracks that appear to have been created by wings. Also, I would think that a wounded bird woud be fatigured after somewhat of a struggle to get through the snow leaving a break in the consistency.

This may be off-the-wall, but maybe it's a MOJO Goose decoy being pulled through the snow. Doesn't necessarily need to be turned on to get the wings to spin and cause a track like this.

[Fish&Fowl]

This is a tough call. If it was a wounded bird, there would almost certainly be some variation in the tracks that appear to have been created by wings. Also, I would think that a wounded bird woud be fatigured after somewhat of a struggle to get through the snow leaving a break in the consistency.

This may be off-the-wall, but maybe it's a MOJO Goose decoy being pulled through the snow. Doesn't necessarily need to be turned on to get the wings to spin and cause a track like this.

Where are the person's tracks who was dragging it?

I am stumped.

[Dave S]

Maybe the person used fishing line? A lot of fishing line.

Honestly, it's probably not as big of a mystery as we're making it out to be.

[soldoncass]

I agree, too consistent to be an animal...no resting, no checking backtrack,etc. My guess is someone riding a unicycle with "cheater" wheels on the sides.... the center marks look quite deep, so that is where the weight was, the sides look "mechanical" though, because of consistency. Have to follow the trail aways, both ways, to figure that one out.

p.s.- how about a 3wheeler, with big "Floatation" tires on the back?

[USDA3]

How about a person riding a bike, tire track and pedal marks. The side marks actually look to be offset?

[Dave S]

I wouldn't rule that out either. The only problem is the frequency of the contact on the sides. Would have to be in first gear, peddling fast. But looking at the depth of the tracks, I'm not 100% sold on the fact that peddles would be touching in this shallow snow unless the person riding had a shoe size 44 EEEEEEEEEE.

[Trany]

A komodo dragon. It has a tail, mammal or dird. I have seen Pheasant tracks with a drag, but not a solid drag. Maybe a fisher or marten.

[Gissert]

I know where this happened. No person would be walking there unless they wanted a cold bath - current and open water.

[DonBo]

I'm still sticking to an otter. Sliding on his belly pushing himself with his hind feet. I've seen it.