Where are all the trackers?

[drahcir]

I love looking back through the discussions in the tracking sections. It is nice to learn from others and share in their experiences.

I am sad to see that no one has posted anything on here since April of 2011. That is a long time. I know everyone is busy and gets focused on other things, but I would like to encourage people to keep posting.

Write about your outings and what you saw, or what made you think. It doesn't have to be anything huge, but I know it would help all of us (yes, I know. Tracking is a personal self motivated thing, and we shouldn't need others to motivate us . I, however, sure do enjoy seeing pictures and hearing about others getting out there.)

I have a two year old boy. It is so fun to see him walk on the ground and then for me to track him. It is neat to see how his feet move differently on the ground than an older child or an adult. Anyone have ideas on how to start teaching tracking to your kids, and when it should be done (age)?

Hope you are all well,
Richard

[LDS]

Yes, it is amazing how many "expert" trackers we have hosted here that seem to not have the ability to find their way back to the website once they enlighten us.

Their short attention span almost equils their vast knowledge of each and every subject they encounter. I have tracked many people from this wilderness survival spot to a history forum two weeks latter after they visit some histroic site on vacation, and then to a health food site or gardening advice column as they gain a few pounds or the season changes.

On all those forums they will post their first introduction and two weeks latter they are giving advice like a pro.

Sadly, it often seems that Dixie Angler and myself are the only two constants on this particular board. Others come and go, ask questions and leave when they do not find what they were searching for or simply because their question was answered and they have no others. Occasionally some grow up, get jobs and forget about us for a time. Hopefully they wll some day return, more mature and with vacation time to spend with their family, asking us for little snippets of advice as needed. I enjoy those return customers.

Some subjects have interest cycles too. A movie will trigger interest and a quick google search sends a flood of new members to websites and blogs all over the world. A month latter interest fades and so do the participants. That was what triggered many of our "tracking experts" that were on this board many moons ago. In one two or three year span there were several survival/adventure movies that included tracking as part of the skill set of either the hero or villian. A surge of 'expert trackers" swarmed out doors. I honestly did not realize their were so many people that had been raised by wolves and Apachies, or whose Cherokee grandmother donated the genetic material necessary for inherited tracking ability! Then suddenly the fair weather trackers became bored and forgot their dedication and lifelong comitment to tracking. I supose some that took it almost to the point of being a religious experience suddenly lost faith and became athiests.

At this point in time some of the archery forums are being swamped with new teenage members due to the release of The Hunger Games . A few will develop a lifetime hobby, but most will fade into the background after their first encounter with Poison Ivy or after they pull the first tick off their privates.

Such is life on the internet.

[drahcir]

Hahaha. That is so true. It does seem to go in waves. I will be the first to admit that I am just a begginer and am always open to advice. I am glad there are some people that have stuck around.

An update on what I have been doing: I have been trying to follow Jack Kearney's book Tracking: A Blue to Learning How. I have been recording my hours and going out almost daily. I set my own tracks and then follow them. Not much exciting breakthoughs, but I am trying to develop my trailing skills. I am also working on seeing tracks farther away from me. I have the habit of looking directly down at my feet (not the best place to look to utilize the sun's angle of light).

I am also attending onPoint Tactical's Combat Tracking 1 class in St. George Utah on 6/7/12-6/9/12. It will be three days of tracking people with the added fun of danger of getting shot at. I am looking forward to having people there who can help me get over my barriers and continue progressing. I wil try to post pictures when I return.

Regards,
Richard

[drahcir]

I have returned from onPoint tactical's Combat Tracking 1. It was superb. I had lots of fun focusing on mantracking and what they might do to make you lose the trail. We were in the desert so there were lots of easy areas to trail someone, but there were also tons of areas that weren't as easy. Some places were just big and little rocks. Cutting for sign was extremely difficult. The tracks you are looking for could be 10 feet in front of you or they could be a lot farther away. The only way to find them is to look closely. I also saw cool lizard tracks, Kangaroo rat tracks, jackrabbit tracks, deer, and coyote tracks. Aging tracks there are interesting, you basically have wind as the only major factor.

I can't seem to figure out how to post any pics. Sorry. If you can tell me then I will try later.
I'm still practicing almost daily. Usually I lay out my own trail over different landscapes and then try and follow it or backtrack it. Just trying to get my brain more familiar with tracks and sign and what it looks like.
Richard.