The SAS Guide to Tracking [Paperback]

Bob Carss (Author)

Book Description

Series: SAS | Publication Date: March 1, 2000

The ultimate guide to tracking man or animal, from the SAS.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Anyone who has spent even a little time outdoors has come across strange tracks left by animals or people and wondered "what was here?" In this practical guide, ex-SAS member Bob Carss shows how to track any moving thing, in any environment, and under nearly any circumstance. He begins by explaining common terms, such as a "top sign," markings left above ankle height; "pointers," signs that tell the general direction of the quarry; and a "conclusive sign," markings that confirm the quarry's presence. The difference between tracks left by a quarry and false tracks are described, as well as how a pattern of signs builds into the tracking picture - the overall movement, direction, and motivation of the quarry. Included are tips on: tracking in desert, forest, jungle, marsh, and grassy areas; interpreting animal, human, and vehicle signs, how to preserve night vision; using time frames to eliminate misleading signs; detecting quarry when they backtrack or circle around; how time and weather affect signs; how to spot intentionally misleading signs. The SAS Guide to Tracking is a remarkable guide to developing a new awareness of the outdoors and is the perfect companion for naturalists, outdoorspeople, hunters, wildlife photographers, search-and-rescue teams, and law enforcement. (71/2 X 91/2, 272 pages, illustrations, diagrams, charts)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585740314
• ISBN-13: 978-1585740314
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #767,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Tracking book I've seen to date, June 15, 2001

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The SAS Guide to Tracking (Paperback)

The SAS Guide to Tracking is one of the more thorough guides to tracking available today. It is a thick volume in comparison to similar books but is filled with useful information. It details the more common tracking techniques and gives very informative descriptions not only of what you are looking for but why you should look for particular signs and what they mean. It covers various techniques for various terrain types, surface vegetations and track aging. All in all one of the best books on tracking that you could purchase today. I will warn you that while it covers technique and sign reading it does not cover the tracks of various animals to any significant extent, but then again it would be a much larger book if it did and given the thoroughness of the text perhaps a separate book on animal tracks would be warranted. Unlike most tracking books, it does cover tracking people very well.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book to start tracking with, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The SAS Guide to Tracking (Paperback)

The SAS Guide to Tracking, written by Bob Carss is an extremely informative book on the subject of tracking. It does a good job of defining what tracking is and also of explaining its' practical applications in todays world. One of the many highlights of the book is its' cosmopolitan nature, lending itself to be of interest to the hunter, military personnel, law enforcement agent, or casual nature observer. In addition to finding and following sign, there are several chapters that discuss at length skills that are indirectly related to tracking. Chapter 8 explains with the help of many illustrations the importance of observation of individuals. Chapters 10 and 11 discuss stalking techniques and night movement, respectively. One of the most interesting chapters to me was chapter 13 discussing deception tactics and how to counter them. Carss obviously knows what he is talking about and gives very helpful tips on following a trail when the person is jumping from rock to rock, walking backwards, or walking in water to hide their trail. I also enjoyed the chapter dedicated to tracking dogs and their employment with a visual tracker. One critique of this book is the fact that several quality photographs would be better than many of the drawings found. But in general, this book is a good guide for someone wanting to learn to track. Several exercises are outlined to help develop this skill...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Reference for Tracking, August 20, 2002

By 

Ted Fisher (Danville, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The SAS Guide to Tracking (Paperback)

This is a very good reference for tracking. I would suggest this book if you are going to do any type of tracking. I use it as a reference for our Search and Rescue Team.

Ted Fisher
Vermilion County Search and Rescue