I am definitely a rudimentary tracker, and, furthermore, my skills have lapsed and I am rusty as all get out. But I started tracking on occasions when I was beginning to hike in fairly wild country just to recover my own tracks and find my way home, One thing led to another. Instruction by a competent tracker is surely the best way to learn, but you can certainly get started by simply getting out and watching and learning from experience.

One thing I found out. High noon is a bad time to track. The high angle, bright light washes everything out. It is actually easier to track at night with a good, medium power light source which can be held at varying angles, usually low,to make tracks and sign more evident.