I pranked my aunt and uncle in high school. Cut out feet in wood shop and secured boots to them.
I walked down to their garden. Strapped them on and made a loop. Mangled some corn to sell it.
My aunt called my mom freaked out and was calling the Sheriff when my mom busted out laughing.
Soft dirt was pretty easy. Deep snow would be impossible to walk cleanly in. At some point? Your physical limitations come in to play.
And my wooden stompers wouldn’t fool someone like Meldrum. Nor did I want to, the gag was only for my family. I didn’t want any problems with the law.
As for natural explanations? Stotting mule deer, bounding foxes, etc. If tracked any distance? The hooves or paws will be present somewhere in that trackway.
I really sit up and take notice with deep snow tracks or the tracks crossing fences or logs,etc. Or track ways that are super long.