Tracking is like putting on magic glasses and having a super power... you can see what was formerly "invisible"

The ability to read animal tracks and sign is like putting on magic glasses that grant you a superpower: suddenly you see things you never saw before—things most people walk right past without a clue.

In desert sands, wind reveals crisp paw prints of a kit fox or the sinuous trail of a sidewinder; in forest mud or snow, you spot the quiet tread of a deer or the stealthy prowl of a coyote. What was invisible becomes a vivid story of movement, intent, and survival right underfoot.

With these glasses, you begin to understand the wild—sensing animals’ caution, curiosity, hunger or fear, predicting their next move. It’s a rare, almost magical connection to nature that transforms the outdoors forever.

Wildlife tracking: fun, collaborative, and exciting

These images provide you with a glimpse of the dedication of our participants, the excitement of discovery, and the beauty of nature through the lens of wildlife tracking. From practical skills development to celebrating milestones, these images showcase the vibrant spirit of our community and the profound connection we foster with the natural world.

Tracking subtleties...

By understanding the patterns of tracks left behind by animals moving in their baseline gaits, you will gain the skills to use gait to help discern between different species when the tracks themselves are difficult or impossible to ID.  With that knowledge, you’ll be able to apply your understanding of baseline gaits to intuit how changes in track patterns help interpret changes in animal behavior—such as hunting, feeding, bedding, evasion, communication and territorial marking.