Comments on: What is a Fisher Cat and What Does It Look Like

By: Suburban Central NJ Resident

Suburban Central NJ Resident — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:40:40 +0000

By the way, does anyone know what odor fisher cats give off? Because once it became nighttime, the area smelt like someone was roasting/grilling stale garlic with rubber kind of musk, which lasted from around 8 PM until 2PM (where the scent became undetectable like an hour after hearing that sound from the fisher cat).

By: Suburban Central NJ Resident

Suburban Central NJ Resident — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:37:24 +0000

I want to say that I heard a fisher cat tonight. It was on a tree branch outside of my bedroom and was making this eerie crying/screaming/squealing sound. I’m not sure how to describe it but it sounded like it was something being attacked, while also mating, while also sounding like a guinea pig squealing. At some points it did sound like some of the sound clippings that were posted on this site. It did leave the tree… it walked down the trunk of the tree, kind of like how a squirrel would, but this thing had an outlining similar to that of a cat– it’s body was maybe 18″-24″ long and had a bushy tail to it and it had short legs. It left the tree trotting, so it wasn’t running or limping– it was just walking away normally. I have heard their call before, but this was the first time that it sounded like a guinea pig squeaking/squealing, and also seeing the outline of it’s body. It was a really creepy experience.
Aside from being a bit more cautious of neighbors with their outdoor cats/pets and the feral cats that live in the neighborhood, should there be any precautions or actions that should be done? Are they even something to worry about, or should they be just disregarded unless they show unusual behavior where animal control should be alerted?

By: B. Couch

B. Couch — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:47:03 +0000

I hunt at a cabin here in central Pennsylvania, and in early April, 2012, a trail camera strapped to a tree caught a strange little creature perched on a stump. Its back was to the camera, but the thing was sitting next to one of my salt blocks. My estimates are that it was at the very least 24″ long, probably closer to three feet. The tail was long and bushy, and the fur was dark brown, nearly black. My first guess was a fisher, but I was a little skeptical, considering I have never heard of one in the area. A quick Google search lead me to a clear picture of a fisher from behind, and upon comparing the internet photo to my own, I’ve come to the conclusion that there’re one in the same. I haven’t had any more sightings besides some strange tracks in the mud nearby that also match that of a fisher. I’m curious as to where the little bugger might have come from, if he’s common in PA, and if there is a chance he’ll stick around. Thanks!

By: scott sensenig

scott sensenig — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:57:19 +0000

friend in northern Chester County, Pa told me today about Fisher cats around her property She called DEP ans was told 190 were dropped in the past 10 years.
Coyotes and now these…

By: Emmett R.

Emmett R. — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:57:22 +0000

People have to keep their pets inside and only let them out when they accompany them. Fishers and other animals are predators and they do get hungry. It’s the circle of life and you can’t really blame them. So, just be careful.

By: Rich Jones

Rich Jones — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:45:56 +0000

We live in Bedford, NY (not far from the Croton Reservoir) and have heard the screeching for years. Last night (February 6, 2012) I saw a Fisher Cat on a stone wall next to my driveway eating peanuts that I had put out for the birds. Healthy looking specimen, somewhere between 15-20 lbs. We have a large indoor/outdoor cat (once feral but now a wonderful pet) that seems to not be bothered by it because she sat about 8 ft away and just watched it eat.

By: Joe F.

Joe F. — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:22:29 +0000

Have started hearing a noise the past few nights that you all seem to be describing, something I never heard before in my life. The first time I heard it, I felt inclined to call the police because it sounded like it was a scream from a women being attacked. I have read a few articles about fisher cats tonight and all of them make it seem that where I live is not fisher cat territory (Westchester County, NY). Anyone else in my area has heard this recently?

By: Holly B

Holly B — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:04:02 +0000

We have fisher cats in the woods of our back yard. We didnt know that we were actually looking at fisher cats until I saw this site and the pics are exactly what we saw. They were dark brown with long tails. I thought they were weasels. It was about 2 in the afternoon and they were in the trees. We live in Bedford NH

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:20:32 +0000

heres an idea, keep your animals inside? but na that be to easy.

By: Animal Lover

Animal Lover — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:13:24 +0000

Was in Indian Lake. NY and one night I heard the most chilling sounds out back off camp one was a cat and the other I wasn’t sure of but it was chilling. Got my husband to come listen and it was obvious a cat was being killed. Husband went out with gun and animal was under camp he could only see eyes and it was making weird growly noises. came inside and went to bed , next morning heard neighbor calling her cat finally went over and told her what I heard it was August 11, 2011. Now there is a terrible odor coming from under camp. Listenend to video on fisher cat and I know that that was what I heard. Neighbor cat never found. Then in Fort Edward , NY went to a friends house and saw a fisher cat in her backyard the neighboring farmer is missing 6 chickens. This was daytime and the previous experience was about 9:30P.M. Just thought someone might be interested.