EVERYBODY KNOWS TRACKS

Everyone knows that there are sasquatch tracks. Just as with any other being or creature out in the wilds, there may be tracks left behind. It is your responsibility as a researcher to learn about tracks.   

Know the animals in your area. Be aware of what may be out in those woods and fields. Learn their habits, their calls, other sounds, and their tracks. A good tracking guide is useful here and should be included in your pack.


After you have examined the track(s), and you have determined it may be a human-shaped footprint, take a second closer look.


If there are multiple footprints, check each on for variations on toe postitions, shapes, and if they are partial or full prints. If it is made by a real being, the foot will not make exact same prints each time. Fake feet will probably look much the same in each impression.




You will want to check the print for compression lines. These are the tiny cracks in the inner top-most part of the track. These will indicate if the track has been made by a flexible foot.

You will also want to check the track for impact ridges. These cracks will form on the outside of a track. They are caused when something hard and rigid, like a fake foot, a wooden one, is stamped down hard on the ground.


You also need to check the print for tampering. Has dirt or leaves or twigs been removed to clear the track? Are there marks showing that the track may have been shaped? Does it look like the soil has been pushed or formed around or in the track?

Know about the area. Have people been through there? Is the print placed where it would be very noticeable if someone walked by? Is it near a picnic area or a hiking trail? Is this an area that someone might choose to do a hoax or trick you? Who might know where you were going that might think this a good joke to play on you? Or even to hoax you in order to call you out and discredit you?


Is the area of the track a likely place for a sasquatch to have passed through. Has there been reported activity? Are there other signs that point towards a possible sasquatch being in that area.


A hoaxed or misidentified track can be very convincing. And it may not be evident at first. That's another reason to properly document the track. (The first being that when you document all your "evidence" you have a clear record of all your research. You may feel that you will remember every investigation that you participate in. Trust me, time and repeated research will dull your memory. Dates will blur and time lines become confused. A research diary and proper documentation will help you remember things a little more clearly.) Proper documentation will help you examine your evidence more closely and help you present it to others for their consideration. In the end, you will make a much more informed decision.

Documentation includes, photographs, measurements, field notes. Include the day, the time, location, weather, what drew your attention to the evidence. What you may consider "too much" information will not happen. There is NEVER too much information when documenting your field research.

Sometimes we are lucky and find multiple tracks, a "trackway". A trackway can extend for miles, or it can be a length of a few as three or four tracks. If you should be lucky enough to find a trackway, it would be wise to have your documentation and research habits well set by then so that it becomes automatic to you.

I cannot emphasis enough the need to MEASURE the tracks. In a pinch, yes, a dollar bill or cigarette lighter or a driver's license or water bottle could work. But if you can carry any of those items with you, you can just as well include a measuring tape and a small notebook and pen or pencil along with a camera of some sort.

Measure the track (s). Measure the width, the length and how deep it is. Measure the width at the toes and at the heels. If more than one track, measure the distance between them. That will give you the stride.

Photograph the track (s). Take a shot from all directions, including straight down. If a trackway, you want to include photos of the entire trackway. Use something (small marker flags are good) to mark the location of each track in the photos.

You'll want to look for and make notes of obstacles that might cause a change of direction of a trackway. Record the direction the track (s) are going. 

Cast the track (s). If more than one, cast both right and left tracks when possible. Cast as many tracks as you can of both feet.  This will allow you to later examine them further to note the differences as the walker advanced.

Nancy

"I'll spark the thought; what you do with it is up to you."

Tomorrow : How to cast a track

Thanks to : bigfootfieldguide.blogspot.com; octrackers.com; bigfoothunting.com