Taking tracking to the next level doesn't require a lot of time or effort. We once had a very exciting cross-country ski in which we tracked a moose. The tracks looked fresh, and scat had been newly laid — a good sign that the creature wasn't too far away — so we followed what we could. In the end, we never encountered that moose, but we felt as though we might at any moment.

Can you identify this print?

Whenever your family heads into the outdoors keep an eye out for tracks. They can add a lot of excitement to outings. Even if you don't see any actual wildlife, the tracks let your kids know that wild animals have been in the area, and familiarize your kids with the wildlife native to different areas. Here are a few ways to integrate tracking into your excursions:

Teach your kids to recognize a few common, easy-to-spot tracks likely to be found in your area. Dogs, squirrels, birds and deer tracks are common and easy to identify.

Bring along a pocket field guide to help identify any tracks (see Tracking References below).

Take a small ruler or measuring tape with you. It can be useful if you get serious about identifying tracks, and it's also a great little math exercise for your kids.

Record your findings. Take along a camera and a journal so you can continue the research when you get home. Use journal entries and photos when you consult references at home or in the library.

If you want to take tracking one step further, check out one of our favorite tracking references below, or inquire at a local nature center for classes. An excursion with an expert can be a near magical experience.

Tracking References

Books

Familiar Animal Tracks, by John Ferrand, National Audubon Society. Keep this handy pocket guide in your backpack for quick reference.

Tom Brown's Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking, by Tom Brown, Berkley Books. Known as the Tracker, Tom Brown has written a detailed"bible" on the subject. Adults and older kids may also enjoy his autobiography, The Tracker, which discusses Brown's technique and how has used it over the years — think missing person searches and unsolved mysteries.

Tracking & the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks & Signs, by Paul Rezendes, Harper. It's an info-packed guide, as well as a great picture book from tracker and photographer Paul Rezendes.

"Who's Been Here?" tracking series, by Lindsay Barrett George. Check out Around the Pond, In the Snow, or In the Woods (Greenwillow Books) for books designed to teach young children how animals leave signs of their presence.

Additional Aids

Back to Introduction

Return to Top

Wildlife and Birding Vacations Top Picks - From far flung to close-to-home, some of our favorites. Birding Trips - For those who want to focus on the avian. Eco Cruises - Combine the relaxation of life on board with the thrill of seeing wildlife.

RELATED GORP LINKS
Learn to Identify Animal Tracks
Guide to Tracking
Tracking 101
GORP Wildlife