Opening post by Lord Gawen Hunter · #1
kneel beside the track, not in it, and study the rim. fresh pressure leaves a sharp edge with loose grains still clinging inside; wind-softened prints look dull and collapsed. press one finger into untouched soil beside the mark. if the ground feels cooler and damp beneath a dry crust, rain is close...
look for the last clear print before following. a deer’s toe marks point with its travel, while the deeper hind print tells you whether it was moving quickly. use a twig to mark that spot, then check three more prints in the same line; one print alone can deceive you...
when clouds thicken, choose the sheltered side of the trail and note the track’s depth, direction, and nearby browse. return after the shower and compare the edges. rain fills hollows first, but a bent blade of grass or fresh mud on a stone may still show where the quarry went...