Tracks and Tracking

Brunner, JosefProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.5

Word count: 143K words
Chapters: 15

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Tracks and Tracking by Josef BrunnerAuthor: Brunner, Josef,Language: English, Class: SK: Agriculture: Hunting sports, Release Date: May 4, 2014

Editor's review

Joseph B. Brenner's Tracks and Tracking is a practical guide to reading signs in the field, made freely available as an ebook by Project Gutenberg. Its core value lies in breaking down "reading tracks" into a set of trainable observation methods: starting from the shape and direction of marks left on the ground and the surrounding environmental clues, the reader infers the species and activity of animals. The content belongs to the traditional body of knowledge on hunting and field skills; the language is direct and leans heavily on experiential description, making it suitable as an introductory reference for field observation. Readers need not try to memorize everything at once; instead, they should compare the book's classifications with the tracks they encounter outdoors and gradually build up their own habits of judgment. It should be noted that parts of the book reflect a hunting context that differs from contemporary nature education, which emphasizes observation and protection; readers should apply its identification methods with a critical eye rather than copying all its practices wholesale. For nature writers, the book's descriptions of track details can also serve as models for observation notes.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Outdoor enthusiasts interested in identifying wildlife tracks
Beginners in nature observation and field skills activities
Nature writers and recorders seeking material on track description
Instructors teaching outdoor observation courses who need reference reading

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a systematic study of modern wildlife ecology
Pet owners looking for urban pet behavior training methods
Readers averse to hunting content who only want to read nature essays

Reading tips

First read through the track classification section to build a basic framework of judgment, then return to the specific cases.
Take the book outdoors and compare its descriptions with real tracks on the ground, recording each one.
Distinguish identification methods from hunting practices while reading, using only the former for observation practice.
Sketch simple track diagrams in a notebook alongside the reading to build your own reference manual.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Can I read this book without outdoor experience?

Yes, but with limited effect. The book emphasizes experiential judgment; without a foundation in field observation, it is easy to remain at the level of memorizing terms. It is advisable to read the classification framework first, then find opportunities to observe real tracks in mud, snow, or sand, comparing as you go—understanding will come much faster.

How does this book differ from modern wildlife identification manuals?

This book belongs to the traditional body of hunting knowledge, focusing on descriptions of track forms and tracking experience, with classifications and terminology characteristic of its era; modern identification manuals typically combine ecology, photographic records, and conservation concepts, offering more systematic information. Treat this book as a historical reference and a supplement to observation methods, not as the sole authority.

Will the hunting content in the book affect my reading?

The book does carry a hunting context, and some practices differ from contemporary nature education, which emphasizes observation and protection. Readers can take only the track identification and observation methods, maintaining a critical attitude toward the hunting-related content, rather than abandoning the whole book because of contextual differences.

What should I keep in mind when reading the electronic edition?

This edition is released by Project Gutenberg as a free electronic text, primarily in plain text, so illustrations and layout may be less intuitive than a paper copy. When reading track-related content, it is advisable to supplement with your own field photographs or hand-drawn sketches to make up for the electronic edition's limitations in image presentation.

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About the author

Brunner, Josef Author

Josef Brunner is an author about whom relatively little is publicly known; his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly documented. What can be confirmed is that he wrote Tracks and Tracking, the only work by him held in this collection. Judging from the title and subject matter, the book deals with the identification and following of tracks and belongs to the practical literature on outdoor skills, field observation, or nature study, likely intended for hunters, hikers, nature enthusiasts, or learners in related fields. Works of this kind generally focus on teaching observation methods and summarizing experience, emphasizing careful identification of ground signs, animal trails, and environmental details, and offering strong hands-on guidance for use in the field. Although further verification of Brunner's other writings and personal history is still needed, this work remains a useful reference text for the transmission of tracking skills and retains practical value for interested readers.