Tracking

**Jay** · 12-31-2007, 05:14 AM

Hi I'm back from the forest.

I'm assuming you guys have done some tracking of animals and people.
I teach some basic tracking courses inclucding "mantracking". I'd like to hear your thoughts on Tom Bron Jr's teachings about "pressure releases" . I can recognize the basic major PR's but am having some trouble with the finer points.
How accurate is he. I got his book ("the art and science of tracking") only about a year ago. very interesting but hard to put into practice. As all trackers know seeing the track is not enough. Interpretation is the key.
I d like to hear some of your thoughts, expriences and ideas.

**Rick** · 12-31-2007, 05:44 AM

Not much on tracking but wanted to welcome you back.

**Jay** · 12-31-2007, 10:04 AM

Thanks Rick, Good to be back. I'm due to go out again on the 2nd. I see you guys have been busy while I was away! I'm still trying to catch up.

All the best for 2008!

**Sarge47** · 12-31-2007, 10:20 AM

Seems like for all those "Huge" footprints no one can effectively track a Sasquatch!

Just saw a program recently on Discovery's "Monster Quest" about the "Skunk Ape". Seems his trail couldn't even be picked up with Bloodhounds! There was one logical explanation given though. Down in Florida when Hurricanes hit Florida, they lose some zoo animals to the Everglades. Various members of the ape family are known to have found their way there. That got me to thinking that when the trail of the "Skunk Monkey" runs out, maybe it has taken to the trees!?

**FVR** · 12-31-2007, 11:18 AM

Here is the link for those that do not know what pressure release is.

http://wildwoodtracking.com/trm/trm2-23pg06.html

I would find this hard unless you know approx. how big the critter is you are tracking. I think this would be more usefull for tracking men.

With animals, alot of times you can look at their gate and determine if they are meandering, trotting, or at a full out run.

**Jay** · 12-31-2007, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by remy

Tracking,

Successfully tracking man, implies a lot more than reading the imprints left by its movements on matter. It is in the anticipation of his next move that the science becomes art.

"HI I'm back from the forest"...is already a trace.
A trace you leave behind consciously or unconsciously in order for us to "see" and capture your direction.
This little sentence, is not only an indication of your physical presence, but emanates a certain simplicity that indicates a soft and gentle demeanor towards wilderness, or in this case...the forest.
I can sense you have a certain affinity with this forest...which in turns makes me think you feel much more comfortable within it than within a citified context. The reading, or "tracking" could go on as far as i would want to push it, since each "trace" exposes another one.
Even your "name" is a trace...

Of course, what i see could be in the end false, since art can be as subjective as our minds.

That is as good an explanation of tracking as I have eve got Remy! And yes I am more comfortable in the forest than in cities. I agree that tracking is not limited to footprints etc. I try to teach this to my students. but most people seem to have a preconcived idea that tracking is just following footprints. Anyone can follow a set of footprints, but interpreting the actions through the footprints seems to be a lost art. I find TBJ's book facinating because it seems to hint at a higher digeree of skill in interpreting tracks. I still havent mastered the art. so I was hoping I could connect with someone who had.
Thanks for the input.

**nell67** · 12-31-2007, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Jay

That is as good an explanation of tracking as I have eve got Remy! And yes I am more comfortable in the forest than in cities. I agree that tracking is not limited to footprints etc. I try to teach this to my students. but most people seem to have a preconcived idea that tracking is just following footprints. Anyone can follow a set of footprints, but interpreting the actions through the footprints seems to be a lost art. I find TBJ's book facinating because it seems to hint at a higher digeree of skill in interpreting tracks. I still havent mastered the art. so I was hoping I could connect with someone who had.
Thanks for the input.

You could talk to trax,whenever he gets back,I hear he is pretty good at it

**nell67** · 12-31-2007, 04:09 PM

sorry remy,didnt know you taught tracking

**tfisher** · 12-31-2007, 04:14 PM

You may concentrate on action indicators for awhile before to much on pressure releases. When you work on action indicators the pressure releases will come with practise and "Dirt Time'

**Jay** · 12-31-2007, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by tfisher

You may concentrate on action indicators for awhile before to much on pressure releases. When you work on action indicators the pressure releases will come with practise and "Dirt Time'

Tfisher, what exactly do you mean by action indicators? I can recognize acceleration, turns, stops, carrying a heavy weight etc...sometimes even head turns. These all indicate action. is there something that I have should concentrate on more? I agree that dirt time has no equal. but sometimes on gravel or forest litter I get confused.

Nell, thanks I'll ask Trax too.

**FVR** · 12-31-2007, 04:49 PM

Remy

When we write here, we leave behind a trace.

So true. Good post by the way. What ever track we leave here, now, on the net will be here, and we'll hear or read, forever. Every post; you make, compliment, insult, rude remark, challenging position is forever bound in a network, duhhh, the world wide web.

Ya'll need to try it. Google yourself, or a topic that you may have posted on a board somewhere................Surprise, you're published.

**tfisher** · 12-31-2007, 05:38 PM

Your on the right track (pun intended)

Let me see if I can illustrate.............

When I teach action indicators we set up a sand pit and have two teams. team A moves through the sand pit and performs or acts out a scenario. for example each team member walks to the center of the pit from diffrent directions, shakes hands and then walk out together. Team B does not see team A perform their scenario it is up to them to figure out the story by the sign in the pit.

The scenarios can and usually do get complicated and can be just about anything you can dream up. After practising in the pit you will pickup your Pressure Releases quickly at least on humans.........then you study animal tracks and their pressure releases will also be more evident.

something to keep in mind tracking animals, animals rarely waste any movement..........movement expends energy(food) each step or move they make has a reason. So your presure releases on animal tracks tell a better story than even humans. Humans are very sloppy when it comes to movement unless they are very comfortable in the terrain that you are tracking them in.

**wareagle69** · 12-31-2007, 07:25 PM

not good at tracking although i try to practice leave no trace when i am out somtimes and i look back at where i've been and my trail seems so simple to follow even though i have moved very slowly.

we have a feller named terry grant the mantracker i have learned tons about spores wathcing him..

**Rick** · 12-31-2007, 07:41 PM

I will relate my one and only tracking session. In AK along the Nenana River with a local guide. He's pointing out a set of bear tracks and giving me my first lesson in tracking. I should point out that this was on a day when we had 7 inches of rain and the track we were looking at had very little water in it. He was kind enough to point out the difference between the claws of a grizzly and a black bear but it didn't matter. As green as I was I knew that bear had been there just moments ago and I headed back in the direction from whence I came much to his delight I might add.

**Jabberwokki** · 08-28-2008, 01:13 PM

i know this is an old thread...sorry...but i stumbeled on this link www.totalprosperity.blogspot.com before i stumbeled here...i found it when i looked up 'tracking' on wikipedia...sounds kid of like what your talking about here...thanx