News & Updates:

Like the website?
Recommend Us To a Friend

TRAILING ANIMALS - Part 1

When following the tracks of game, step lightly and learn how to walk silently on twigs and dried leaves.

Never look an animal in the eye, or it will run away.

Dress inconspicuously so that you do not stand out from the background and make your presence obvious.

Always be careful to sneak up on an animal against the wind. Even when you observe this precaution, don't come too close to an animal if you are sweating a lot. Animals have a very keen sense of smell when it comes to human perspiration. Bathe before going scouting and rub yourself with sorrel leaves to minimize the human scent.

We have talked about animal tracks, but this term is not strictly accurate.

Woodsmen distinguish among traces, tracks and footprints, and only when they have made the distinction do they start to interpret the signs. Tracks are the marks left by big game such as a moose, boar, antelope or a deer, whereas traces are the prints of a small game animal such as a fox or a bird.

You may not always be lucky enough to find traces or tracks immediately. Often you will have to be content just to recognize a set of prints, as sportsmen call the imprint of all four feet of an animal. A set of prints calls for careful interpretation. Only occasionally do you have such a clear footprint in front of you that from the single impression you can tell with certainty what animal made it. When you are interpreting tracks, first take in the whole picture, looking at them in their entirety, before con­centrating on the details.

Related terms include camping ideas and family camping magazine.