Advanced Tracker Training Program

DSC00206.jpgThe advanced program goes into greater depth regarding track morphology, animal physiology, habitat utilization, gait analysis, and a holistic study of tracking in the context of the ecosystem. Students will learn to identify tracks and sign in a variety of substrates in different seasons, and to understand each animal’s role in the ecosystem; what it eats, where it sleeps, who eats it, how it moves, how it evades predators, and each predators hunting strategy. All of these factors are essential in understanding what you are seeing in the tracks and sign, and in becoming proficient in predicting where animals are located. We will also teach and practice trailing with the goal of following an animal to its location and seeing it before it sees you.

At the end of this course the student will be able to:

  • Accurately identify the tracks of local animals
  • Identify the gait the animal was using and describe what it was doing
  • Age the tracks relative to recent events and other tracks nearby
  • Identify browse patterns
  • Identify scats
  • Identify burrows, runs, dust baths, beds, and scrapes
  • Predict where animals will be found
  • Trail an animal with reasonable proficiency
  • Display an understanding of the behaviors and habits of local species
  • Move through the environment in a non-invasive way

We will schedule two full days in the field each month in different parts of Central Oregon for what is called “dirt time” in tracking circles, and one classroom session. Initially we will focus on track and sign identification with an introduction to gaits and movement. We will add ecosystem context with each session to build awareness of the usage patterns of different animals. In addition to this, advanced students can attend any of the tracking walks for no charge, and will have the opportunity to assist in our wolf tracking expeditions. One of our goals is preparing students to become certified trackers upon completion of this course. With that in mind, we will hold practice evaluations to prepare students for CyberTracker field evaluations, which will be held once a year. CyberTracker is the internationally recognized standard for evaluating the proficiency of trackers worldwide.

Instructor: David Stowe