SECOND CLASS SCOUT

TRACKING ANIMALS

Sneaking up close to animals without them knowing you are there is an ancient art. It allows you to find out what animals look like, where they go, and what they do. Tracking animals is an exciting challenge that will test your patience and skill. If you have a camera, it can also put you in position to photograph animals large and small.

Tracking by Waiting

Let the animals come to you. Hide long enough near a well-used animal trail and there's a good chance you'll see them coming by. Take cover in the brush, sit in a blind, or climb up into a tree and wait quietly for animals to appear.

Much of the animal world is active after dark. On a night with a full moon, wait in silence at the edge of a meadow or beside a lake or stream where you might see and hear lots of wildlife activity.

Tracking by Waiting

Let the animals come to you. Hide long enough near a well used animal trailand there's a good chance you'll see them coming by. Take cover in hte brush, sit in a blind, or climb up into a tree and wait quietly for animals to appear.

Much of the animal world activee after dark. On a night witha full moon, wait in silence at the edge of a meadow or beside a lake or stream where you might see and hear lots of wildlife activity.

Tracking by Moving

To move closer to animals make yourself invisible and silent. Hide behind trees. stumps and clumps of grass. Stay near the ground, looking around the sides of rocks and bushes, not over the top. Your shape will show against the sky, so stay low as you cross ridges.

Move only when animals are looking away, and freeze if they glance in your direction. Place your feet with care. stepping on twigs or dry leaves might make way to ,earn more about your world. enough noise to send animals running. Many animals be able to smell you from long distances. Try to stay desire to care for the environment. downwind as you are tracking. When the wind is coming toward you, it won't carry your scent to the animal.

Finally, be kind to wildlife. Respect their boundaries and their needs. If you can quietly move close to an animal, you can just as quietly slip away without disturbing it. Don't chase wild animals or touch nests or burrows. If you come upon a young animal, leave it alone; its parents are very likely hiding nearby, waiting for you to leave.