Name that critter
 

Can anyone tell me what the heck this thing is. I checked my camera yesterday and found a picture of this critter. Im not 100% sure what it is. It kinda looks like a badger but I have never seen one around west central Illinois before. What do you guys think?

Almost looks like a badger. Don't know if you have those there.

It really looks like a pug dog or a little pig. Not a badger though

Agree with the Badger.

My guess is badger

I'd say badger, or is that unheard of in your state?

Badger or Ground HOG

those are called groundhogs in my neighborhood..

That could well be a big azz groundhog.

That is a groudhog, they can look pretty big when they flatten out on the ground.

Shane

wood chuck?

It's a badger.

Looks just like the pit bull mix that lives next door to me...smooth coat and all makes it look like it isn't a dog in the pic, but that would be my guess. Head farther away in the picture looking off to the right causing you to not be able to get a good look at the head...looks like you can see an ear coming up on the left side of it though.

no doubt, groundhog

Badger for sure, heres the back side of a different breed of badger but its close. There are tons of different badgers. I beleive this one was carrying a dead skunk...

I dont think its a ground hog. Ive seen a couple of them around there and lots elsewhere, and they are mostly brown. i have never seen a gray one.

Tough call, probably a gound hog, although they are usually a touch browner. Maybe you have a rare color-phase whistle pig. Badgers are pretty uncommon around here, but it still could happen. Seen a couple back home (U.P.) in the last couple years, NEVER used to have them around, perhaps they are on the upswing.

I go with Wistle Pig (ground hog)

How about you shoot it so we can find out :s2:

I checked on the dnr website and they say badgers are all over the state, mainly in the upper half but still have some down in southern Illinois also.

I'm guessing woodchuck.

Groundhogs come in a variety of colors. I've killed Groundhogs from Blonde to Black to Red and every shade in between. Without seeing the face it is hard to tell, but it is surely either a Groundhog or Badger. As stated on the IDNR website, while not nearly as common as Groundhogs, I've seen several Badgers here in Illinois.

I change my hypothesis, I choose badger!

Its not a ground hog, they aren't that big.

When all else fails, Chupacabra.

I agree it must be a Chupacabra!

chupacabra or bigfoot...no doubt in my mind.

looks like a badger

the black legs convince me that that is a badger...
http://www.independent.co.uk/multime...ger_36502s.jpg

that would be a Badger but not the Wisconsin kind. This is the ste a dang good trap in Nov. and catch him kind. We have Badger's in Iowa and a friend of mine in IL says he sees them alot while running trap line's. Yes they are in his trap's and Usually pissed off in a hole they just dug. I must say they make wonderfully warm and interesting head wear when dead.
:fighting0007:

badger or dog...what about a dead goose??

Badger and they are found in Ohio so I would have to assume you may have them there in your neck of the woods.

ground hog for sure

Badger. Lots of them in Oklahoma.

Ditto if not the neighbor's dog.

otter... gotta be

It's your Mother In Law, checking up on you. LoL :biggrin:

Mother in laws are shape shifters, they can take the form of any Evil Creature.

Then eat you alive. :s4:

ITs a Beaver!

that there is a ground hog

It looks just a tad a bit higher off the ground than groundhogs normally are.

Badgers have been listed as furbearers that can be trapped in parts of Illinois for years, but i have never seen or heard of one in the southern part of the state.

I thought badger at first. But just like the song big brown beaver?