While archery hunting for mule deer in the Hoover Wilderness in 1991, I noticed that the well-warn trail leading into the hunting area was littered with animal tracks each morning only to be erased by human travelers during the day.
One morning I arose early and took a few minutes to observe, measure and sketch a beautiful and perfect pattern of black bear tracks in the deep dust of the trail. Carrying a notebook, pencil, tape measure and string is what one needs to make an accurate record of tracks. I keep these items in a ziplock bag when I’m in the tracking mode.
Note that when the black bear walks he moves one side of his body and then the other as is the case with other wide-bodied animals like porcupines, beavers, wolverines and raccoons. This is his primary mode of travel, but when he shifts into high gear, his gait will change to a lope or a gallop.
