Geographical Index > United States > California > Trinity County > Report # 405
(Class A)
Submitted by witness Dale N. on Thursday, October 5, 2000.
Several tracks found by hunter near Lewiston Lake
(Show Printer-friendly Version)
YEAR: 2000
SEASON: Fall MONTH: October DATE: Sunday, 10/1 STATE: California COUNTY: Trinity County LOCATION DETAILS: Out by Lewiston Lake NEAREST TOWN: Lewiston NEAREST ROAD: Trinity Dam Blvd. OBSERVED: I was deer hunting last weekend when I noticed some tracks. I followed the tracks to a hidden waterhole in a very dry place where you would not normally find water. The tracks measure about 16 inches long and 10 inches wide. there are at least 50 oor more tracks leading up the hill.
I think I found some of his dung and it was very hard on the outside and still semi-soft on the inside, and it has a very one of a kind smell. It does not smell bad, it almost smells sweet. I have been hunting these woods for over 20 yrs, never have I seen anything like this. I do have some of the dung with me in a ziploc bag if someone would like to test it. The tracks look as if he is still using them over and over again because the area is very dry and when you step in the tracks it is real quiet. The water hole was a little murky but could have been other animals but I believe I might have just missed him!
OTHER WITNESSES: I brought my wife back to the area and we video taped the area and the footsteps and took pictures. Prior to the findings I was hunting. OTHER STORIES: Absolutely not TIME AND CONDITIONS: It was about 12:00 p.m. Very bright, sunny, hot day. ENVIRONMENT: deep in the woods, off the beaten path, up the hill towards the top of the moutain
Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Matthew Moneymaker:
I spoke with Dale about the tracks. He sounds credible and will assist an investigator.
According to Dale the tracks are distinct enough to distinguish from bear tracks. He said the trail appears to be repeatedly used. The watering hole mentioned is a spring on a hillside about a mile from Lewiston Lake. The surface area of the spring is about as big as a large table top.
The morning Dale found the tracks the spring water appeared murky, as if it had been disturbed. On subsequent visits to the site the water was clear.
I spoke with Dale's wife, who returned with Dale to the site with him the day he found the tracks. She confirmed his story.
We'd like to talk to a photographer in this area who has a Camtrakker. The watering hole sounds like a decent spot.
| 
