Evaluating tracks / scat, etc?

[Sytes]

Over time, for the rest of your life perhaps, you can practice, and you will still be learning. There will always be the opportunity to be challenged and even baffled. The more you know, the more you can read and interpret.

There is a learned science behind aging scat, tracks, etc... Always more to learn. Outside of life experience, I've not taken a public offered course specific to game though looking into it as I try to narrow my focus on wolves, specifically.

When you cross tracks, scat, twigs, shrubs - what are you looking at? For myself, I'm quickly assessing the setting and the decision to investigate further is based on that quick review. Simple example - shine on elk scat vs greyed scat. Quick assessment. However, tracks in snow are great as it amplifies the track though if the edges are solid glazed... the quick assessment evaluates when last snowfall occurred, temperatures, etc. Direction, speed, so many variables we assess.

A decent short article: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=636

What catches your attention - what are you looking for in tracks, scat, etc?

 

[BrentD]

This is an interesting topic that I would like to follow. I'm no expert however.

I do know that Wolf scat can kill you. Wolves carry a parasite that is a particularly nasty. I had a friend who studied mosses growing on wolf scat of all things. It was an occupational hazard for him.

 

[onpoint]

So maybe don't be sniffing, eating, nor playing with it.
People who "study" this kinda' stuff get what they deserve

 

[BrentD]

Why did he deserve anything? I was simply looking for a good model system, which it was. He managed to stay healthy.

 

[onpoint]

Why did he deserve anything? I was simply looking for a good model system, which it was. He managed to stay healthy.

As a practicing wildlife biologist/academic, surely you must understand the inherent risks involved in handling canid crap. We all assume the consequences of our choices, including voluntary exposure to e. Multilocularis - a splendid little critter The woofs are here, the sky is falling types in MT got some short lived perceived traction out of it

Back to scatology, sorry Sytes-don't touch the woof turds...............

 

[BrentD]

That was a bit odd.

 

[onpoint]

Trying to be oddly funny - fail.

 

[BrentD]

 

[Sytes]

Okay... As Drew Carey might say, "1000 points for both Brent and Onpoint".
Don't poke woof sheit.

 

[406LIFE]

I think tracking is a lost art. And learning to track is definitely easiest in snow.

When im out i look for anything out of place, mud in dry dirt, overturned leaves, scuff and drag marks. Etc. I enjoy trying to know the most i can of an area im in. I try to develop as a passive sense that alerts when something is rhere that shouldnt be, if that makes sense.

There are tracker classes out there for those who would want to know more or learn how to develop this skill from master trackers.

 

[LuketheDog]

An experienced elk hunting guide I know told once told me "The poop doesn't matter that much to me unless it's actually coming out of the animal at that moment."

That being said, when I'm out hunting the fresh scat is much more exciting than the old, dried-up stuff...

 

[wytex]

Always check for freshness of scat and which way tracks are travelling. No need to pick them up just a smear with a boot will tell.
Tracks can tell you if you may have spooked an animal, scuffs with still moist upturned soil. Have trailed elk to their beds following fresh scat and tracks.
If I find a trail where all the tracks are going one way I look for a return trail or assume they are travelling through.
Certainly doesn't work out all the time though on interpretation.

 

[idnative1948]

Bestest thing dad taught us is if you are into *fresh tracks* and can't immediately judge where they are going is to keep an eye on your back trail.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Nothing ups your sign reading game quite like Mcmanus' trick of chocolate covered peanuts in your pockets when your buddy asks how old the sign is. Not for woofs though.

 

[Sytes]

Guess Tommy Chong is SOL if a woof eats his stash...

1000 points to Gerald and heck, 1000 points to myself.