Description:  Did you ever watch a Saturday afternoon matinee and wonder how the Apache scout could look at a track and determine with certainty that it was two days old, that the rider was tired and out of ammo, and that the Cavalry troop should catch up with their quarry within a day or less? Or how the scout can look at an area with hundreds of footprints-and tell not only how many people passed by the spot but just how many consisted of his “enemy” or prey? Just a movie, you say? Think again. These skills are not only possible, they are still being used today in many parts of the world.

In spite of modern conveniences such as night vision goggles, thermograph technology, and global positioning systems, it often becomes necessary to track “the old fashioned way,” the way many hunters and warriors in third world countries still operate today. When the computer is down, the batteries have died, or replacement parts aren’t available, enemy soldiers must still be found and contained before they have an opportunity to kill or maim our own troops; dangerous criminals at large in wilderness areas must quickly be captured and brought to justice before they hurt innocent victims; and little Johnny can’t survive three days in sub-freezing temperatures while modern search tools are located and airlifted to rescuers.

This book fills the void in today’s military, law enforcement, and search and rescue training, teaching these professionals skills not normally taught as part of their man-hunting curriculum. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for those who might never learn them to discover centuries-old secrets normally tightly held and passed on from generation to generation.

Whether you are a military professional, law enforcement officer, search and rescue team member, or an average citizen wanting to fulfill the dream of a lifetime, you’ll discover the ancient secrets and "tricks of the trade" involved in modern tracking. Through real-life examples, photos, diagrams, and a realistic depiction of a tracking expedition as it unfolds, you, too, will learn what it takes to earn the title of "Tracker". Subjects covered in this book include:

--discovering how the experts gather and take advantage of information about their "Chase"

--turning your five senses into scientific evidence-gathering machines

--telling the difference between natural and unnatural movement, foliage, and sounds

--differentiating between unrelated or incidental signs and those left specifically by your Chase

--accurately interpreting the age of a sign

--determining the physical, mental, and emotional condition of your Chase

--transforming hindrances into advantages

--picking up the trail again once it has been lost

--protecting yourself against a dangerous and/or desperate foe

--working together as a team

--documenting the evidence so that others can pick up where you left off