Animal Tracking: Definition, Useful Skills & Techniques

Animal tracking is a crucial skill for anyone interested in wildlife. It's vital for hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and researchers. Mastering animal tracking can enhance your ability to observe animals in the wild.

Having the right hunting gear can make tracking easier and more effective. This comprehensive guide will explore various traditional and modern methods of tracking animals. We'll also discuss associated skills and how to apply these techniques in context. We offer a deeper understanding of wildlife tracking and how hunters can effectively use these skills in the field.

What is Animal Tracking?

Animal tracking means watching and understanding the signs animals leave behind. These signs can show their movements, behavior, and habits. Hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and researchers use these skills, which they have developed over many years, to find and study animals in their natural habitats.

There are two main ways to track animals: traditional and technological. Traditional tracking involves looking for physical signs, such as footprints, droppings, and marks on plants. Technological tracking uses advanced tools, such as GPS devices and radio collars, to follow animals over large areas and in real time.

Learning about animal tracking helps people better understand wildlife. It improves hunting techniques and supports conservation efforts. By using both old and new methods, trackers can collect important information. They can use this data to help protect and study different animal species.

Traditional Tracking Methods

Traditional tracking methods rely on the tracker's senses. Keen observation and interpretation of various signs left by animals are hallmarks. These centuries-old methods require practice and patience to master.

Observing and Interpreting Signs

Trackers must learn to look for clues that animals leave behind as they move through an area. These signs can tell a lot about the animal's behavior and movements.

Tracks

Tracks are one of the most common signs used in traditional animal tracking. Different animals leave distinct tracks, making it possible to distinguish between species. By studying footprints, trackers can identify the type of animal and its size. Experienced trackers can even tell its speed and direction of travel.

Spoor

Spoor refers to any physical evidence animals leave as they move through an area. There are several types of signs:

• Scat: Animal droppings provide clues about an animal's diet, health, and recent locations.
• Disturbed vegetation: A tracker can see an animal’s path in dense vegetation. Broken branches, trampled grass, and other plant damage can show an animal's movements.
• Feeding signs: Trackers look for signs that animals have fed in an area. Chewed leaves, gnawed bark, or leftover food can show where an animal has been feeding.

Spoor provides trackers with a wealth of information. It helps them understand the recent activities of animals in the area.

Territory Markings

Many animals mark their territory to communicate with others of their species. These markings can include scratched trees, scent markings, or piles of dirt. By recognizing these signs, trackers can identify territorial boundaries and locate animals within them.

Trailing Techniques

Trailing techniques are used to follow an animal's path. They require a thorough understanding of the environment and attention to detail.

Head Up Approach

The head up approach involves keeping your head up rather than focusing solely on the ground. This method helps trackers spot signs from a distance. They can observe animal behavior without disturbing the area too much.

Reading the Terrain

Understanding the terrain is crucial in tracking. Different landscapes can influence how animals move and leave signs. For example, soft soil might show clear tracks. Meanwhile, rocky ground might only reveal subtle clues.

Using Your Senses

Successful tracking involves using all your senses. Look for visual signs and listen for animal calls or movement. A good tracker can even use their sense of smell to detect nearby animals. Combining these sensory inputs can provide a fuller picture of animal activity.

Technological Tracking Methods

Technological tracking methods have revolutionized the way we study and track wildlife. They use advanced tools to gather precise data on animal movements and behaviors.

VHF Radio Tracking

VHF stands for Very High Frequency. VHF radio tracking is one of the oldest technological tracking methods. It uses radio signals to locate animals fitted with a small radio transmitter. The animal's transmitter emits a signal that is detected by a receiver. Trackers use the receiver to follow the signal and locate the animal.

This method is cost-effective and works well in dense vegetation and varied terrains. The transmitters also have a long battery life. However, VHF radio tracking has a limited range compared to other methods. It also requires manual tracking, which can be labor-intensive. Additionally, data collection is less precise and not in real time.

Satellite Tracking

Satellite tracking monitors animal movements over large distances using satellite technology. Once again, animals are equipped with small transmitters. These devices send location data to satellites orbiting the Earth. This data is then transmitted to researchers.

Satellite tracking can track animals over vast distances. It can provide accurate, real-time data with minimal human intervention. However, it comes with high costs for equipment and data transmission. The transmitters also potentially have a shorter battery life than VHF transmitters. Finally, the availability of satellite coverage limits it.

GPS Tracking

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. GPS tracking determines the precise location of animals using satellites. Animals are fitted with GPS collars or tags. These devices communicate with satellites to provide location data, which is then sent to researchers via satellite or cellular networks.

This method offers highly accurate location data and real-time tracking capabilities. It can store large amounts of data for later analysis. However, GPS tracking is expensive, with costly equipment and data plans. The battery life can be shorter, requiring open skies for optimal satellite connection. These factors make it less effective in dense forests or urban areas.

Light-Level Geolocation

Geolocation is another method for tracking animals, especially birds. It uses light-level data to determine location based on the times of sunrise and sunset.

Geolocation devices are small and lightweight. They're ideal for tracking small animals and birds over long migrations. These devices record light levels and time. Researchers can estimate the animal's position by comparing this data with known light patterns.

However, light-level geolocation has its limitations. The data can be less accurate than GPS tracking. Also, retrieving the data requires recapturing the animal, which can be challenging.

Bio-logging

Bio-logging involves attaching small data loggers to animals to record data. These devices track heart rate, body temperature, and movement, and they can even track environmental conditions like water temperature and depth.

Bio-logging provides detailed insights into the animal's behavior and physiology. It offers a comprehensive view of their interactions with the environment. This method is handy for studying marine animals and birds.

However, bio-logging devices can be expensive. If not properly designed and attached, they may also affect the animal's behavior. Additionally, data retrieval may require recapturing the animal, which can be difficult and stressful for the animal.

Banding or Ringing

Banding, or ringing, is a method where a small, uniquely numbered band is placed around a bird's leg. This method is primarily used for studying bird migration, population dynamics, and lifespan.

The process is simple and inexpensive. It can provide valuable long-term data when banded birds are recaptured or found. Banding has contributed significantly to our understanding of bird migration patterns and behavior.

However, banding has its limitations. It relies on the recapture or sighting of the banded bird, which can be infrequent. Additionally, the band must be correctly fitted to avoid harming the bird. Finally, it provides no real-time tracking data.

Applications of Animal Tracking 

Animal tracking has many applications. It's used in hunting, animal behavior studies, conservation efforts, and scientific research. Each application leverages different tracking methods to achieve its specific goals.

Hunting

Tracking is an essential skill for hunters, enhancing their ability to locate and follow game. Different hunting strategies require distinct tracking techniques.

Tracking for Different Hunting Strategies

• Still Hunting: This strategy involves moving slowly and quietly through an area. The hunter frequently stops to observe and listen for signs of animals. Trackers must understand animal signs and behaviors. They also need to move stealthily and avoid detection.
• Stalking: Stalking requires following fresh tracks and other signs. It allows the hunter to get close to an animal without being noticed. This method demands patience and acute observation skills. The tracker must stay downwind, out of sight, and wear the appropriate camo clothing and gear.
• Posting: Posting involves finding or creating a good vantage point. Then, the hunter patiently waits for animals to come into view. These trackers need an understanding of animal movements and habits. This knowledge helps them choose strategic locations where game is likely to pass. Some hunters erect tree stands that they will then use again and again.

For more detailed information on these strategies, visit Texas Parks and Wildlife's Hunting Skills page.

Understanding Animal Behavior

Tracking provides valuable insights into animal behavior. It helps researchers understand feeding habits, mating rituals, migration patterns, and social structures. Tracking analyzes tracks and other signs to observe animals. Researchers can then study how animals interact with their environment and each other.

Conservation Efforts

Animal tracking is vital for conservation efforts. It helps monitor endangered species, track migration routes, and identify critical habitats. Conservationists use tracking data to implement protection measures and manage wildlife populations effectively.

Scientific Research

In scientific research, trackers gather data on animal movements, behaviors, and interactions. This information is crucial for ecology, biology, and environmental science studies. Researchers can track disease spread, study climate change impacts, and develop conservation strategies.

Best Techniques for Tracking in Different Terrains

Different terrains offer unique challenges and require specific tracking techniques.

Forests

Tracking in forests involves looking for signs on the ground and vegetation. Soft soil may show clear tracks, while broken branches and disturbed leaves can show an animal's path. Trackers need to be aware of subtle signs and changes in the environment.

Hillsides

Animals often move along contours on hillsides to conserve energy. Trackers should look for tracks and signs along these natural pathways. Loose soil, rocks, and vegetation can explain an animal's movement.

Open Terrain

Tracks are often more visible in open terrain, but animals can see trackers from afar. Binoculars or hunting optics and scopes can help spot signs from afar. Trackers should move cautiously and use natural cover to avoid detection.

Water

Tracking in or near water sources can be challenging. It requires attention to muddy banks, wet footprints, and signs of feeding or drinking. Animals often visit water sources regularly, making these areas prime spots for tracking. The direction of tracks leading to and from water can help determine an animal's route.

Mastering Animal Tracking

Tracking animals is invaluable for hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and researchers. Understanding and applying both traditional and technological tracking methods is beneficial.  Doing so enhances your ability to observe and study animals in their natural habitats.

For hunters, having the right deer hunting gear is crucial. Effective tracking techniques and top-quality gear can make your hunt successful. Ensuring you have the best hunting gear for 2024 will keep you prepared and efficient in the field.

Incorporating modern technology, such as cellular game cameras, can further improve your capabilities. Advanced tools provide real-time data and insights, allowing you to track animal movements and behaviors more accurately.

Combining traditional skills and modern tools can help you become a more effective tracker and better contribute to the conservation and understanding of wildlife.