Tracking

Cowboys need good tracking skills to find stray cattle, hunt down predators, and keep an eye out for signs of rustlers. If you can't find tracks straightaway, walk in large sweeping circle until you pick up a trail, then read it carefully. Fresh tracks are clear and sharp - the deeper the print, the larger the animal.

If there is water in the tracks, did it seep in through the ground or was it rain-filled? Has the imprint gone hard or is it still soft? Can you see leaves with rotting sides face up? Are there any fresh breaks in twigs or tall grasses?

Never track alone and never track dangerously animals too closely. If you come face to face with a large animal, back off very slowly, speaking or singing softly.