Wildlife Tracking Evaluation

Last weekend, Casey McFarland, of Wildlife Tracking Southwest and CyberTracker Conservation, came out to hold a wildlife tracking evaluation. Ten participants joined in, and we spent two days immersing ourselves in tracks, sign and animal behavior. At first, the "evaluation" aspect is daunting, and a little stressful, but we all found it to be the best tool to learn wildlife tracking. I was amazed at the diversity of sign we encountered: pigeon, deer, raccoon, mink, swallow, bear, dog, coyote, domestic cat, woodrat, wild turkey, beaver, downy woodpecker, sapsucker, cottontail, squirrel, prairie dog and deer mouse. It was a great experience, and I am grateful to all of the participants for the enthusiasm and friendships that developed over the course. In these evaluations, which are standardized internationally, it is possible to get a score based on your ability. In this evaluation, Levels One, Two or Three in Track and Sign were possible. We had two Level 1, four Level 2, and three Level 3. We plan to hold these events yearly, so we hope you can join us!

~Neal

Looking close

Getting a better angle

Raccoon

Bear

My first mink tracks!

A raccoon latrine

Can you see the "thumb" on this left, front deer mouse track?

Casey finding questions to ask

The group

Rabbitstick 2014

This year we attended Rabbitstick, a primitive skills gathering in Rexburg, Idaho. This is one of the oldest gatherings, and we had a fantastic time. Gelsey focused on fibers, learning backstrap loom weaving, starting a water-tight basket, and learning twining. I made ghillies (European-style moccasins), used a pole lathe, processed a duck for lunch, and made small split-willow deer. It was a camp full of friends, supporting one another in a quest to live simply, learn the ways of our ancestors, or follow some intangible call that led them to that moment. I would recommend attending one of these fine events! Rabbitstick and Winter Count are hosted by Backtracks, www.backtracks.net.

~Neal

A limber pine we passed in Utah

Our camp

The Gypsy-camper

Gypsy wagon

Two more gypsy wagons

The goats of the Winter Moon Tribe herd

A shelter in the woods

A herd of willow deer

Backstrap loom class

Our friend and co-conspirator Gone Feral's popular pack basket class

Duck ready for processing

Porcupine track by the river

Two skin on frame kayaks

Morning circle

Ghillies class

Completed ghillies, and a pair to be made

Pole lathe

Mick at his gypsy wagon

Working the pole lathe

The bowl taking shape

Twined basket

Completed twined basket, as an awl case

Crafts and skills learned and finished over the week

Overnight Camps

I love overnight camps. These are the moments over the course of the summer where we go deep with youth and teens. Over the camp we hit skills hard, living, breathing and working together as a small clan. This summer was particularly great, focused around the fire, but also covering fiber arts, and sleeping outside. At these camps, anything is possible, adventures appear, and a bond is created in the camp that lends itself to all participants having transformative experiences.

~Neal

Billy can cooking

Eating utensils

Starting a cattail basket

Working on bowdrill

Two burn bowls

Gourd canteen, burn bowl, carved spoon

Cattail basket in progress

Bowdrill

Three peas in a duff-bed pod

Cattail basket

Scouting

Throughout the year, we work on "Scouting", the art of invisibility, awareness, stealth and observation. In our world of routine, scouting adds intensity, breaks us out of our comfort zone, and unleashes our inner predator (and prey, when being scouted). Covering ourselves in mud, ignoring the annoyance of mosquitoes, and open our awareness while narrowing our focus is magic.

~Neal

How many people do you see?

Lion in the grass

Some spots take some preparation...

Setting up...

Covering....

Covering...

Covering...

Covered!

Sometimes a simple "blind spot" is enough

Earth camoflage