Racoons?
If so it would be first. Never seen one within 4 miles of the ranch; not even roadkill. Over the hill, in town, though.... Maybe moving in. :-(
The case of the Mystery Marauder is solved.
I walked around this afternoon to check the asparagus patch, and that’s where I found the large pile of not so fresh elk manure.
No wonder the top of the anti-deer fence was torn loose in a few spots, which did later allow a couple of deer get in...since repaired.