Wildlife tracking is one of those skills that is a simple and basic concept, simply follow the tracks left in the dirt right?
Alas, it is those simple concepts that are often most difficult and complicated to really master! Tracking it is no exception, it is far more nuanced and takes some serious focused practice in the field to become really proficient (like most traditional skills that are the focus of this podcast). . .
Casey McFarland, current president of Cyber Tracker North America, joins me for this episode to discuss tracking and some of his experience in a broad overview– I plan on doing much more specific tracking related episodes in the future, but this serves as a perfect introduction for anyone not already interested.
We discuss: getting started, where some of the best places to find tracks are, why you should be interested in tracking, the connection with place and nature that it will lead to, the Cyber Tracker organization and their evaluations process, and much more.
Thanks for listening! Join us next week as we discuss traditional winter camping and being out enjoying this season!
Resources Mentioned:
trackercertification.com — Cyber Tracker North America
Animals Don’t Cover Their Tracks Facebook Group
Books:
Mammal Tracks and Sign (2nd Edition) by Mark Elbroch
Tracking and the Art of Seeing— Paul Rezendez
Peterson Field Guide to Tracks by Olaus Murie
The Peterson Reference Guide to the Behavior of North American Mammals by Mark Elbroch & Kurt Rinehart
Bird Feathers: A Guide to North American Species by S. David Scott & Casey McFarland
Peterson Field Guide to Bird Nests of North America — Coming Fall 2020
I heard you speak as part of…For the Love of Birds. I plan to buy your feather book when it comes out. May I send you a picture of some recent feathers I found which no one I know can identify?
It may be better to contact Casey directly, but if you want to send a picture I’d love to take a look at it! Any additional information would be helpful, location and type of terrain it was found in, size, etc.