Tracking is more than just following footprints. It is the ability to interpret the landscape, understand animal behavior, and spot the subtle disturbances that reveal who—or what—has passed before you.
Observation: The Tracker's Mindset
Most modern humans are "sign blind." We look at the general scenery, not the details. Tracking requires a shift in focus. You track not with your eyes, but with your mind.
- Shine: Look for light reflecting off compressed grass or disturbed soil.
- Shadow: Depressions create shadows. Tracking is best done with the sun at a low angle (early morning or late afternoon).
- Texture: A smooth patch of sand that is now rough indicates disturbance.
Identifying Tracks
Look for the pattern of toes and pads. Canines (dogs, coyotes, wolves) show claw marks and have a negative space that forms an 'X'. Felines (cats, mountain lions) generally retract their claws and have a larger heel pad.
Aging Signs
Determining how fresh a track is can be as important as identifying it.
- Edges: Are the edges of the print sharp and crisp (fresh) or rounded and crumbling (old)?
- Debris: Has wind blown seeds or leaves into the track?
- Moisture: Is the soil in the track darker (wetter) than the surface soil?
Track Traps
To practice, find a "track trap"—an area of soft sand or mud along a game trail. Smooth it out, leave it overnight, and return in the morning to see exactly what passed through.