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When tracking animals there are various skills you can learn to heighten awareness and success of understanding the animal's behaviour; from one set of prints or a short section of trail you can see how the animal is moving, it's speed and pick up on any changes in it's stride. This is called pressure release tracking, though more easily seen on softer ground where dirt or sand is kicked up, it is noticeable on hard packed soil as well.

Notice how the ground is displaced; with a slow walk the earth is moved from the back to the front in a wave like action, the highest building of dirt will be at the centre of the print.

If a double wave is present the animal is moving faster; a smaller wave will be followed by a larger wave. An animal at a gallop will break the tip of the wave (a wave crumble) as it kicks it's feet off the ground.

Any speed change can be seen with a disk shaped print, distinct shapes may be moulded together where the front of the paw has pushed off the ground into a run. This may also be visible as a series of ridges.

Acceleration impacts the dirt like an explosion or heavy object dropped into sand; the particles will be spread out from the centre of the print.

Pressure release tracking shows us the direction the animal is travelling. Forwards momentum sees a dominance on the front of the print; backwards movement will show a deeper imprint over the heel area. The number of toe or pad impressions visible can indicate a change in direction.

You will be able to find the animal's rest spots and for how long it stopped to sleep or eat or why the animal is going to it's destination. It will be possible to figure out if the animal has been in the area before by the confidence of their stride and direction; hesitation will be noticeable with the print.

Pressure release can tell you about the position of the animal's head; a tilted upright head can be seen in a print angled diagonally upwards in the direction of movement. A head positioned lower to the ground will create a downwards angle within the print.

You will be able to ignore the distortions left by wind and rain and see what is underneath; you will pick out one trail from a series of tracks made from other animals and know how old they all are. Over time pressure release tracking will allow you to understand the animal's movements at a glance, experience will nurture your natural awareness and teach you about the animal's behaviour.

Learn more about this author, Vicky Ann Smith.
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