driving late at night in a remote ranch area. Pulled over to respond to a text.
Across the road on a hill a dark colored animal with a long tail and a long low profile appeared. Stopped, looked at me and then sped off at an incredible speed. It was a large male.

They are very secretive and allusive. They are pretty vicious as well. Feel fortunate to have witnessed one in the wild.

I also saw a marten recently

It could have been a chupacabra. Were you anywhere near Cuero , TX?

Nope, it was a Fisher. I am sure.

I had one that would visit on a past bear hunt. He was a very strong animal, breaking into the bait cache moving big rocks and logs. I didn't have the heart to frustrate his efforts.

they are impressive animals and like you mentioned...lightning quick especially when going after a squirrel in a tree...the squirrel doesn't stand a chance! I used to see them on a regular basis at my house...but it was weird, as my chicken population diminished to nothing, he stopped coming by....hmmmmmmm

Whereabouts are you old rugged cross?

I used to see fishers, and martens quite a bit when I hunted in Michigan’s UP.

Just last week on the way to my parents for thanksgiving we had one cross the road in front of us. Near Saginaw, MI.

They often appear here in upstate ny.
The ones I've seen have very dark fur and are the size of a mink or large ferret.
Neat looking critters.

Yes, seen them in Da U.P. of MI.

Where about are you? State? The other animal that may look similar, from a distance is an otter. The otter does travel over land a bit, but does have more slicked fur, not as fluffy.

I wonder how you know it was a male? Is that just by size or did you get up close & personal? They do often smell bad should you ever handle one. You may think you have a skunk.

It was a large male. No doubt that is was a Fisher

Behind my townhouse is a wooded area with a bowl shaped depression in it. When it is snow covered and there is moonlight, I watch this area from my second story window for night time wildlife. A couple of years ago I saw a Fisher working the area in search of food. Only saw him one night.

We saw a pair cross the road to attack a couple of Sandhill Cranes near Seney Wildlife Refuge in the Upper Peninsula. One of them brought a crane down, but ran when we approached.