The Tracking Club

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Books

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These books are recommended by club members.

Book cover The Tracker by Tom Brown, Jr. This is the book that has motivated many people to become trackers. After being mentored by Grandfather in the ways of an Apache scout, Tom Brown, Jr. has become a legendary tracker and founder of the Tracker wilderness school. A great true-life story. Jay R. Webber
Book cover Tom Brown's Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking is a great guide for anyone who wants to see more during their time in the wild. Tom Brown, Jr. shares his skills and methods. Try any of the exercises and you will learn more about the natural world. Jay R. Webber
Tom Brown's new book is called The Science and Art of Tracking. I would say this is not a beginning tracking book. This is "the" book about pressure releases in tracks. I appreciate Tom Brown's style in this book as it reflects the controversy some of his claims have generated. Personally I think this book is going to be lots of fun as it is a workbook for time spent in a sandbox or on a beach looking at the way feet impact with the earth. To me any time spent tracking, whether Tom Brown's style or someone else's will make me a better tracker in the long run. I can't imagine any tracker not having this book on their shelf, even if they don't agree with Tom Brown. Linda Hunter
A Field Guide to Mammal Tracking in North America
The famous Halfpenny book which addresses gaits. If you want to track animals in difficult spots where the whole track does not show, you need this book. Sometimes on my front porch there are just round mud spots . . . with this book, I have been able to identify them by the gait. Linda Hunter
New!! Regional Falcon Guides by James Halfpenny. Scats and Tracks of the Pacific Coast is pocket-sized and contains a lot of info for a small book. Average track dimensions are cleverly displayed by gray bars at the edge of the species description page. Perfect for beginners and a great reference for all trackers. Jay R. Webber
For many years the only guide available, Animal Tracks of the Peterson Field Guide series by Olaus J. Murie is still considered the "Bible" of animal tracking. Murie dedicated his life studying animals and put together this field guide that is a "bridge between the art of identification and the science of ecology." Jay R. Webber
GOOD NEWS!
Tracking & the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks & Sign by Paul Rezendes is back in print. It is now in hardcover but Amazon.com is giving it for a good discount. This book is as good as its title, with outstanding illustrations and stories in it as well as a wealth of track information. Linda Hunter
Animal Tracking and Behavior by Donald and Lillian Stokes not only teaches us about animal tracks, but takes the reader into the daily life of the animal. A great way to learn more about the "Why?" that the stories of the tracks have to offer. Jay R. Webber
Animal Tracks of Washington and Oregon by Ian Sheldon. This book covers 50 mammals (including Sasquatch), 8 birds, and 2 amphibians.   Kudos for including several species with restricted ranges in WA and OR, Ringtail, Wolverine, Spotted Skunk, and the seldom encountered Mountain Beaver. The Mink, however, is inexplicably absent. Too bad, for their tracks are common in wetland areas, which also make for some of the best tracking grounds. At $5.95, this little book is an excellent addition to your tracking library or a great gift to a friend who is looking for a more intimate experience in nature. Steve Engel
American Marten, Fisher, Lynx, and Wolverine: Survey Methods for Their Detection, General Technical Report # PSW-GTR-157. This book contains lots of Halfpenny and mammal survey materials. A must for Tracking Club surveys.
Call 970-498-1392 and ask them to send you a copy.
FREE! (gov't pub)
American Marten, Fisher, Lynx, and Wolverine in the Western United States, General Technical Report # RM-254, A great resource on the habits and habitat of these animals.
Call 970-498-1392 and ask them to send you a copy.
FREE! (gov't pub)
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