This weeks Blog Post was written by Jacob D., a Brookies Alumni! He discusses animal tracking, and the different things you can learn from it.
Each winter I wait for the opportunity to track animals in the snow. Snow makes it easy to clearly see tracks even from a distance. I follow tracks to harvest a game animal, or simply find an elusive fox or bobcat I may not see too often. Tracks can tell me what species of animal left them, the direction it’s heading, and how recently it has passed. Tracks may also show me if the animal has been running, walking, or standing in place at a given time along its trail.
Rabbit hunting is much easier with a little snow.
I enjoy hunting in snow for many different reasons. Blood, urine, scat, and footprints are clearly visible. Snow makes it easier to walk quietly and animals are often easier to spot. Tracks often lead me right to the animal I’m hunting.
Even when I’m not hunting, I enjoy tracking in the snow. It’s a good opportunity to see animals that are rarely spotted. Bobcats, foxes, and coyotes are rarely seen during the day, but they leave trails in the snow as they hunt other animals. I’ve often seen fox tracks right beside rabbit tracks. So when cabin fever takes hold, go out and spend a wintry day following tracks. You may be surprised with all you encounter.
A deer track alongside the road
All photos in this blog post belong to the author.
Signs In The Snow
Posted: August 13, 2019 by Nina Walk
This weeks Blog Post was written by Jacob D., a Brookies Alumni! He discusses animal tracking, and the different things you can learn from it.
Each winter I wait for the opportunity to track animals in the snow. Snow makes it easy to clearly see tracks even from a distance. I follow tracks to harvest a game animal, or simply find an elusive fox or bobcat I may not see too often. Tracks can tell me what species of animal left them, the direction it’s heading, and how recently it has passed. Tracks may also show me if the animal has been running, walking, or standing in place at a given time along its trail.
I enjoy hunting in snow for many different reasons. Blood, urine, scat, and footprints are clearly visible. Snow makes it easier to walk quietly and animals are often easier to spot. Tracks often lead me right to the animal I’m hunting.
Even when I’m not hunting, I enjoy tracking in the snow. It’s a good opportunity to see animals that are rarely spotted. Bobcats, foxes, and coyotes are rarely seen during the day, but they leave trails in the snow as they hunt other animals. I’ve often seen fox tracks right beside rabbit tracks. So when cabin fever takes hold, go out and spend a wintry day following tracks. You may be surprised with all you encounter.
All photos in this blog post belong to the author.
Category: Youth Blog Tags: featured, hunting, Pennsylvania, snow, tracking, winter