Tracker Training

Having the ability to interpret facets of the environment and determine the presence or behaviour of certain animals via the use of tracks and signs is a skill that will greatly enhance your ability to guide safely and effectively. Guides cannot rely solely upon their trackers to read these signs and are required to develop skills that pertain to these areas. During the process of tracking one is exposed to details that are often overlooked, and being able to decipher this information will develop a far greater understanding and knowledge of the animals that surround us. One week CyberTracker Tracker Training courses held in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (or on site at your own venue if available and suitable). The course will focus primarily on the recognition, differentiation and identification of Tracks & Signs. There will be a formal CyberTracker Track & Sign evaluation at the end of the course for certification purposes

Tracks & Signs

There are many different elements to the observation and interpretation of Tracks and Signs left by animals. They may be any of the following, or a combination thereof:
  • Ground spoor
  • Urine & Faeces
  • Territorial signs
  • Aerial or Vegetation spoor
  • Feeding signs
  • Skeletal signs
  • Shelters
  • Scent
  • Regurgitation (pellets)
  • Paths
  • Vocal and auditory signs
  • Visual signs
  • Incidental signs
  • Circumstantial (indirect or associated) signs


Trailing

In the context of the Tracking course, learning how to follow a trail left by an animal with the intention of finding the animal is not something that can be very easily taught from a set of notes or a short session of practical training. The variables are so great that it would not be possible to cover even a fraction of them. There are however a few useful guidelines that will be covered, that may help your progress, or at least to get you started.



You will be trained in the following:
  • Keep the trail between yourself and the sun
  • Build up a rhythm (“rhythm” should be that you pick up pace where the trail is easy and the terrain allows, but as it becomes more difficult or the bush gets denser, that you slow down as required).
  • Look around you at the terrain and path options, cover, “track-traps”, areas which you would like to avoid, etc. Try and plot the path.
  • Choose the MOST LIKELY ROUTE.
  • Remember that you might expect a change in direction once an animal reaches a specific destination (midden, water, etc), and you will then need to reevaluate the trail and establish the motivation for the next leg!!
  • Your aim should be to become PART of the bush. Try and remain undetected (not only by the specific animal/s that is your quarry or focus).
  • Do not remain glued to the trail, irrespective of the terrain.
  • KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!! Try and see the trail well ahead of you (signs of other animals, new path options, escape routes, dangerous areas, and MOST LIKELY ROUTE!!)
  • Place the animal in its environment and apply its typical habits then allow this to guide you when you have a difficult area of the trail.
  • Allow the gait or stride-length to provide you with relevant information
  • Wind

Trail-specific training courses may be arranged upon demand

For mor information please CLICK HERE

For any enquiries regarding CyberTracker Practical Assessments contact me.
Website: www.cybertracker.org