The first thing to learn about tracking is knowing where to look for animals. Always remember that you are only a visitor into their habitat. Escaping from a human prescence could rob them of enough energy that they can no longer sustain themselves. For example, in winter, many animals are severely stressed to gather enough energy to stay alive. Getting too close to animals can cause serious disturbances including: abandoning young, disturbing nesting grounds, damaging foraging areas, and may even cause the animal's death. You must treasure this gift and respect the animals by being non-intrusive. It gives you the ability to come into the center of the lives and homes of animals. Learning to track is a sacred responsibility. A dent in the forest floor may be the track of a fallen branch." Look at the ground as if it were a manuscript of the animal's life." "A track is a window to the past of an animal. Ultimately, with practice, you can read very difficult books with a great deal of hidden meaning." First you start with the ABC's then you work up to simple sentences, then to paragraphs and finally to books. The track itself is one such ring, so is the call of the blue jay that scolds you as you walk beneath his tree." From each passing there are a series of concentric rings than ripple out. A track is the earth's reaction to your passing over it. Gravity ultimately wants everything to be at the same level. The track/print/geology is made and then slowly worn down or built upon by the forces of natural erosion and gravity. The Pine Barrens are a geological track, the Mississippi River is a track, and so are the Rocky Mountains. "The earth is a manuscript, being written and unwritten every day. Summary of Classifications & Variations.Copyright © 1999 Outdoor Action Program, Princeton University. Commercial use of this material is prohibited without express written permission from the author. However, if included in publications, written or electronic, attributions must be made to the author.
This material may be freely distributed for nonprofit educational use. Princeton University and the author assume no liability for any individual's use of or reliance upon any material contained or referenced herein. The information provided here is designed for educational use and is not a substitute for specific training or experience. The information in this workshop is taken from my notes from a course at Tom Brown's Tracking School in New Jersey, in a course taught by John Stokes of The Tracking Project, and from my personal tracking experience. Outdoor Action Guide to Animal Tracking by Rick Curtis
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