Most wild animals are secretive, nocturnal, or simply difficult to observe in the wild. Wildlife tracking skills can provide us an incredible window in the secret lives of Texas’ animal species. A skilled observer can not only determine what animals are inhabiting an area through the tracks that they are leaving behind but can also establish track and sign pattern interpretations that give us a much greater understanding of animal behavior. 

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This 8 month intensive course, meeting one weekend a month from October-May, will provide you with an incredible amount of experience in the field identifying the tracks and sign of Central Texas animal species. 

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In this course you will follow black bear trails through the Chisos Mountains, observe mountain lion tracks and sign along the Rio Grande, unlock unknown stories in the lives of river otters and beavers along the banks of the Colorado river, watch and track shore birds and alligators along the gulf coast, and follow coyote and badger trails as they snake through the Monahans Sandhills. All of this under the close watch and guidance of our accomplished and passionate wildlife tracking instructors.

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This is one of the most comprehensive wildlife tracking courses in the country and even students with no prior tracking experience coming into the course will leave with an incredible amount of skill and experience in the art and science of tracking wildlife. Whether you are a professional wildlife biologist or simply someone who wants to establish a greater understanding of and connection to the animals of Texas, this course is an excellent choice. 

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Program topics will include:

• Identification of animal track and sign 

• Interpretation of animal movement and behavior through track and sign patterns

• Aging tracks and sign found in the field

• Animal trailing techniques

• Ecological Tracking that will enable you to predict animal movement and activity on a given landscape

• Animal behavior

• Animal behavioral patterns and observation techniques that will help you locate and view more wildlife

• Bird Feather and kill site identification

• Mammal Skull identification

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INSTRUCTORS: MARCIA KARR, CHARLIE SERRA  & MARK MCDERMOTT  read bios