Stalking

F

f#cked up

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Sep 26, 2004
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Anyone feel like sharing some advice on wilderness stalking? I've done some forum searching and there's almost nothing on plain silent walking(Except for the freak chance of seeing a thread about 'quiet shoes' way back when) and staying hidden in general.

I'm big on using the fox walk for getting around(Tom Brown style), but if you've got a different kind, cough it up. I wanna hear. Stories are a big plus, and I've always kinda wondered what stalking methods they've taught in the military if you've got the backround.(I'm a video game junkie. Blame it on that)

Thanks.
 
I really enjoyed Tom Brown Jr's book The Tracker, I would love to take some of his courses and learn tracking/stalking.
 
I found out about him 10 or 12 years ago when he was on the cover of Backpacker magazine. since then I've read most of his biographical and informative books (excluding the urban survival stuff, not why I got interested in his philosophy you know?). I'd also love to take all of his courses even if (as I've heard lately) he has a waiting list monthes long and no longer teaches all his courses himself.

anyways, I agree with you on the fox walk but in my (admittedly, non expert) experience where and how quietly you plant your feet and your ability to quickly freeze motionless even in midstride are more important than anything else. with this in mind I have stalked close enough to a doe and fawn to pet the doe's rump before they took off away from me. and I did that while walking relatively upright and normally except that I froze every time either of the deer looked up from feeding.

that was a 100 foot walk that took just about an hour to complete.

by the way myakka.... your namesake state park is one of my favorites in all of florida. the canoeing is some of the best around, especially if you dont mind swamping it. and driving the main road itself is well worth the trip as I'm sure you know. I see that you live nearby there too... can you tell me how the park faired the hurrican season please?
 
I havent been to the park since the hurricane hit, I'm too busy cleaning up and repairing the damage of Hurricane Charley.
 
Myakka said:
I havent been to the park since the hurricane hit, I'm too busy cleaning up and repairing the damage of Hurricane Charley.
Click to expand...

I hear you there... Im just now getting everything back together here from frances and jeanne myself. today they started picking up the debris piles that line my street like walls. it was a cause for minor celebration.

I hope you and yours came through the storm as unscathed as possible.
 
roughedges,
Where are you located?

I'm planning on taking a Tom Brown coarse in Feb, he is starting to hold some of his coarses down here in Florida now, some where aroun Fort Myers.
 
Myakka said:
roughedges,
Where are you located?

I'm planning on taking a Tom Brown coarse in Feb, he is starting to hold some of his coarses down here in Florida now, some where aroun Fort Myers.
Click to expand...

I live and grew up in loxahatchee, florida in between a bunch of sugar cane and west palm beach. I grew up in the swamps and now its a suburb. actually, reminescing reminds me... I tracked a 3 legged florida panther through the woods a couple times back 10 or 15 years ago. I never caught a sight of it though unfortunately.

and that would be great if Tom Brown starting a school down here. I'd be there for sure- ft. myers is about 2 hours away taking SR80. do you have any more info on that Myakka?
 
hey "...ed up"...

You've been banned after first post. First time I ever see that LOL

They apparently didn't like your nickname huh...

Stalking... It's very hard, especially in thick brush. Stalking up straight, the main thing is patience. Stalking crouched, the main thing is quadriceps resistance ;)

Just put the outside of the tip of your landing foot on the ground, then roll it inwards making sure you don't crush anything. Then, once your whole foot has landed, gradually and slowly put some weight on it... Depending on the terrain, a step can take over a minute to complete. Sometimes you just have to make some noise, but going slowly you can "decompose" it, so it doesn't sound like a step, and it's harder to recognize.

Kids are super good at this. Pick any kid you know around you, explain the basics, make it a challenge, and let him/her teach you.

Cheers,

David
 
The country where I hunt and hike is typically dry... and in a REALLY dry year it sounds like you're walking on Rice Crispies no matter WHAT you do or HOW you do it.

Something to remember: Man is the only animal that walks with regular steps, in a straight line, at a steady pace. With the wind in my face I've put many a successful stalk on wild animals by stepping *slowly*, varying the pace at which I'm walking, and - when I step on something that makes a noise - stopping for 20 - 60 seconds. Just like the critters I'm stalking.

Movement kills.
 
Tom Brown's classes are great I've been to a couple. The instruction is top notch. All his instructors know their stuff. I've seen people teach at some schools where they didn't always have the skill but Tom's people know it and you can bet if they are teaching it they can do it. And from what I could see even if Tom wasn't teaching he was close by. So I would have to say the Tracker School is a good experience, good instruction and a lot of fun.

As for stalking, it looks like it's already been said. Just take your time the faster you move the more noise you make. Place your feet then transfer your weight. Keep your knees bent and stay relaxed and focus your mind on something other then what you are stalking or better yet don't focus at all or the animal will hear your thoughts. Tom talks about splatter vision or wide angle vision if you use this when stalking it helps to keep you from zeroing your mind on your stalk. Be aware but don't focus you thoughts.

From what I understand if you are able to stalk and touch a deer at your first Standard class at the Tracker School your next class is free. At least thats what they said when I went several years ago. So if you go ask about it I would think they are still doing it.

.......................................................................................................
Tom Brown's statement from his web page.

Dear Students & Friends of the Tracker School,
No doubt by now you have heard through the Tracker rumor mill, which incidentally is usually wrong, that I and the Tracker School are moving to Florida. Well, it's partially right. I am moving to Florida with my family and part of the Tracker classes will go with me. As you probably noted on our 2005 schedule, the Florida classes will run from October to May in Florida and from May through September in New Jersey. My family and I will move with the classes which will be 7 months in Florida, 4 months in New Jersey and 1 in California.

Certainly there will be Standard Classes at both locations, but the Scout series, the Advanced Tracking & Awareness, the Advanced Standard, and all of those classes that are usually run in the Primitive Camp will still be held there. The Philosophy Classes as well as many of the more spiritually oriented classes will be held in the Florida area. Moving these classes to Florida for the winter will allow me to take the classes outside much more than has been possible during the winter months in New Jersey.

Where is the Florida Tracker School going to be located? We have found a great wilderness area about a 30 minute ride from the Fort Myers Airport. The land is lush, consisting of Florida live oak, slash pine, palm, and a huge assortment of other plants. It has a great swim area, trails, camping areas, and we are in the process of putting up a building to house the lecture area. The animal population is abundant and the tracking terrain is one of the best. All of the instructor staff, except for the office staff, will move to the Florida area for the winter classes, while the office will remain in Asbury New Jersey. We hope to see you all there for a winter class.

All Good Medicine,


HELP !!! EVERYTHING MUST GO !!! INCLUDING US !!!

After 18 years of being here in the farm town of Asbury, New Jersey,
the home base of the Tracker School is now moving to Florida.
 
In order to stalk, first you find out the person's address and phone number. Make repeated phone calls late at night - don't say anything, but pant heavily into the mouthpeice. Start hanging around the house in a filthy tattered coat. It help to smell like cheap wine and pot.
 
How come Will was the only that got it? Psht. And whatever you think, it's not me under your porch. Honest. :D

Anyway, thanks ya'll for the help, it means alot. And yeah, they burned the old screen name(it was too 'risque') and now I'm stuck with one that cries out 'teen angst kid' even more. But I can't complain too much, yanno? And in some small way I messed with authority. Woo. Go me. :cool: <--SO cool now.
 
my advise is SLOW....and wait..and know the terrain and even where the suns at to hopefully have the sun in your preys eyes.
 
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