A new feature for this issue
Here is additional information for the 2024-25 issue of the Ely Winter Times including a video of a lynx kitten, books about tracking mammals and birds (some by local authors) and online tracking resources.
Online Resources
Website for CyberTracker North America. Find out about track and sign certification events happening around the country. Locate certified trackers in your area. Attend Tracker Tuesdays – free monthly online presentations. Join Certified Wildlife Trackers Association and more.
The Minnesota Tracking Club Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/minnesotatrackingclub
Readers submit photos and questions in search of answers from the community. It is well moderated by volunteers. They also lead monthly field trips open to the public and sponsor CyberTracker Evaluations several times a year.
Animals Don’t Cover Their Tracks is a Facebook page with excellent information, moderated by experienced tracker, Kim Caberra. She welcomes questions and photos and other readers offer their insights on them.
YouTube Videos
There is a lot of incomplete, misleading, and just plain wrong information being presented online about animal tracks. This is one I can highly recommend: Animal Tracks and Sign: The Secret Language of Nature. This is a quick, well organized, and accurate introduction to animal track identification by Jonah Evans, State Mammalogist for Texas Parks and Wildlife. View below.
Recommended Reading
Mammal Tracks and Sign
Mammal Tracks and Sign, Mark Elbroch with Casey McFarland
Tracking & the Art of Seeing
Tracking & the Art of Seeing, Paul Rezendes
Mammals of the North Woods
Mammals of the North Woods, Roger & Consie Powell
Bird Tracks & Sign
Bird Tracks & Sign, Mark Elbroch with Eleanor Marks
animal-tracks-midwest-book
Animal Tracks of the Midwest, Poppele