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interstate or using crossing structures to travel under the interstate.
Documenting Tracks and Signs
See appendix for diagrams and further instructions.
Stop your companion(s) and bring tracks to their attention. Stop walking to prevent destroying tracks.
Determine if you believe the tracks or sign in question could possibly be one of our target species. If so,
proceed to documenting them. If not, carry on with your other activities.
Select the clearest tracks for photographs (and measurements). Consider photographing tracks in a
variety of locations if possible. When ambiguous or unidentifiable tracks are found, the first step is to
search the area for better tracks of the same animal. If there is a trail you can follow, this is one way you
may discover clearer tracks for that individual. In general, look for where the creature has entered more
sheltered areas away from direct sunlight, wind, further snowfall, or whatever has likely obscured the
tracks.
If clearer identifiable tracks cannot be found, then ambiguous tracks, which could be one of our target
species, should be documented with care. Unclear tracks that are clearly NOT the target species do not
need to be documented. Photograph tracks, trail patterns, and other signs as per photo-documentation
procedures below.
General consideration
Take multiple photographs to ensure you get a quality shot. Take at least one picture of the track that
includes a card in the picture with:
o Date
o Location name
o Observer name
o GPS coordinates and map datum
Individual tracks
Take photo looking directly down on track to reduce distortion. Include two scales, preferably rulers, one
running lengthwise, the second widthwise (Collapsible ski poles with cm calibrations showing also work).
Track patterns, trails, and other signs
Include a scale of some sort. Often this may be leaving the scale you used for an individual track on the
ground by that track (thus also giving a reference for where the individual track sits in the pattern). Try to
take picture looking straight down on trail to reduce distortion. If this is impossible due to size of trail,
include scales both near and far to account for distortion. Including a person in a photo can help with
scale for larger frames. Also consider taking photographs of people looking at the tracks or sign, or
pictures, which show the tracks in the context of the location they are found to accompany the detail
