Does anyone have any good websites or know of any good books on tracking? I always wanted to learn about it, but it seems not much is written on the subject. Most of it seems to be taught through expensive courses or by learning from someone that already has tracking experence. I thought it would be good to learn for both survival hunting and in searching for lost campers/children/ect.

I can't answer your question, but I CAN say that if you want to learn to track/hunt, the only way to learn is practically. As with so many things, the theory is important, but actually getting out there and DOING it is how you will learn.

My 2c

Yes, WOFT is right. But, If your like me, a good book can be indespencable. I recommend "Exploring the Woods With Indian Secrets." It's not all tracking, but there is alot of tips and a chapter on it. Catch me later on the author <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The two books I have are:

The Complete Tracker by Len McDougall (ISBN 1-56731-326-4) and A Field Gyide to Tracking in North America by James Hlafpenny (ISBN 0-933472-98-6).

Both are ok and give a technical background on tracking. They are a good start to getting into the field and doing hands on learning.

Chris

For the easiest tracking, try and stay around muddy, unvegetated areas or fresh snow. Once you get really good you can move too harder areas. You need to start infering where they are going. When you can pat yourself on the back 7 out of 10 times, your a good tracker. When you can pat your prey on the back, your the ultimate tracker. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The book you want is "The Science and Art of Tracking" by Tom Brown Jr.

You wouldn't believe what he can do (and what the book shows).

-NIM

Fundamentals of Mantracking: The Step-By-Step Method
By Albert ''Ab'' Taylor and Donald C. Cooper

Tracking in Perspective, History of Tracking, When and Where to Use Tracking, Sign Cutting Stick and the Step-By-Step Method, Labeling Tracks, Signcutting, Track Aging, Handling Evidence, and much more!

1993, photographs, loose-leaf, 121 pgs., ISBN 09137243782

Ab is the recognized leader in Mantracking. I read the book before I took the class. The biggest thing is practicing. You got to practice tracking.

This works for animals and people. This is what we use when tracking people for SAR. It works, we have found people using these techniques.

Available from NASAR.ORG

Not sure what type of tracking you want, I have been tracking for over 10 years for animals, humans and vehicles. I have attended some of those classes you mentioned. The most recent with David Scott Donelan. I prefer tactical tracking.(must be the rush) Here are a couple of suggestions. You can learn a lot from books but I still suggest the classes.

Tactical Tracking Operations
by David Scott-Donelan

The SAS Guide to Tracking
by Bob Carss

Fundamentals of Mantracking
by Donald Cooper

Thanks
Ted Fisher
Vermilion County Search and Rescue
Tactical Tracker

Were any of you who replied to the original posting on tracking @ the K-9 Cadaver-Disaster Dog training this past week in Fairfield,CT? I happened to spend a day there with a lady friend, and man are those folks SERIOUS! 80-90'f temps, and high humidity, yet they spent 10 hours in the field! Gene

No, I was not there but as a member of a SAR team, I do hang around with tracking dogs and handlers.

Most dog handlers take the task very seriously. Training of at least twice a week is their goal but often more than that. It becomes an all consuming hobby for the handlers. Handlers that only train a couple of times a month or less, usually do not have dogs that track well.

Depending on who you talk to, some people believe that poor tracking dogs are caused by bad handlers or handlers that do not train often enough. I have heard it said that the dog was trying to do the correct tracking behavior but the handler did not recognize the dogs signals and forced the dog to do something incorrect.

At an event where dogs are being tested or evaluated, you are likely to find very dedicated dog handlers. Urban SAR dogs need to train in concrete rubble piles with sharp metal and other hazards. Those handlers spend a lot of time to meet the National FEMA USAR standard. I would agree that those people are truely serious about dog handling.

Hope you had fun and learned something.