From The Field: The Elusive Canada Lynx

Wildlife and Conservation Photographer Danny Coyne shares his insight on how to find Canada Lynx in the back country.

The Canada Lynx is considered one of the most difficult animals to find due to its elusive behaviours, specific habitat and prey needs.

In British Columbia, snowshoe hares are the primary prey of Canada lynx, so where hares are active, lynx are often nearby. Look for dense regenerating forests bordered with willows and large spruce or fir trees at elevations between 4000-6000ft. These areas are optimal for snowshoe hares as they provide a low level canopy with fresh browse. By learning to read snowshoe hare signs, especially concentrated trail networks you increase your chances of finding lynx travelling, hunting, or resting in the same areas, often just downwind or along the edges of that activity.

By learning to read snowshoe hare signs, especially concentrated trail networks you increase your chances of finding lynx traveling, hunting, or resting in the same areas, often just downwind or along the edges of that activity

If you find Lynx tracks zig-zagging throughout the trees or on and off the forest service road, this is a good area to concentrate on as it’s a Lynx’s hunting ground. If there is plenty of snowshoe hares available, the Lynx usually won’t travel that far from the available food source. Find the snowshoe hare tracks, and you’ll usually find Lynx tracks. As you follow the tracks, keep looking up because you’ll never know when Canada’s Grey Ghost of the boreal forest will be looking back at you!

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Follow Danny Coyne on Instagram for updates on his back-country adventures in British Columbia