Tracking stick

B

Bearbait

Joined
Feb 10, 2003
Messages
32
Anyone know how to build a tracking stick?; I,ve heard of them being used, but what they look like and how they are used still eludes me.
I would appreciate it if there is anyone who understands these things, if they could drop me a line.

P.s.: Thank-you in advance!



I need an original end caption too ! ( I'll think of one)
 
Tracking sticks are used to measure footprint and stride to aid in tracking. They can be made of almost any long stick. We mostly use a broom stick. You will need 4 rubber o-rings. The o-rings are placed to measure the distance from the back of the print to the front of the heel,end of the print and end of the stride.If you are improvising in the field, you can make cuts in the stick with a knife in lieu of the o-rings.The o-rings just make the stick reusable.
To use,
Hold the stick parallel to the ground a few inchs above the track.
Place the first o-ring at the rear of the footprint.
Slide the second o-ring to the front of the heelprint.
Slide the third o-ring to the toe of the print.
Slide the last o-ring to the rear of the healprint of the next track.
When you lose the track place the stick in position over the last visable print. Sweep the stick in an arc over the path the stide mark should show you where the next print can be found.
Keep in mind stride varies with terrian and fatique etc.
The tracking stick measurements also help you ID one set of tracks from another.
Good Hunting!
 
What SurviveAl said. I use an old ski pole (the basket is gone and its missing its partner). It makes a good walking stick too.

Additionally I attach a spool of yellow ribbon/tape (the kind used to fence off construction sites). You can tear off small pieces and use them to mark the better prints. That way you can back track easily and it warns others on the Searh and Rescue team (thats where I learned this) not to step on the print.
 
We give instructions for the tracking stick in our tracking video. There are a variety of ways to implement the stick.

Ron
 
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