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:: BASIC-ADVANCED TRACKER TRAINING ::
James Bruchac is co-author of Scats & Tracks of The Northeast and Scats & Tracks of The Southeast. His forthcoming book Jim Bruchac's Guide To Woodland Survival (due out Winter 2008).
Basic Animal Tracks Lecture.
Through the use of a power point presentation and Jim's large collection of plaster track casts students will learn to identify common and not so common North American mammals from rabbits and foxes to mountain lions and grizzly bears.
Although this class is most popular in the winter it runs throughout the year. Class consists of instruction, basic footprint identification, and a fieldtrip to the woods to look for tracks.
Participants will learn how to both identify and collect the tracks of numerous forest mammals. Consists of a two hour hands-on workshop focusing on track identification and track casting followed by a two hour field study. Participants will go into the woods with the skills needed to make plaster casts of any tracks they may find.
Drawing on Jim Bruchac's popular field guides co-authored with Dr. Halfpenny (Scats & Tracks Of The Northeast and Scats & Tracks of The Southeast), this class consists of basic to advanced footprint and scat (animal droppings) identification, field measurements, plaster casting of tracks and a two hour tracking field trip.
This class was originally designed by Jim Bruchac as a quick overview for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) species surveys. It consists of basic-advanced footprint identification, basic-advanced animal gaits, basic scatology, tracking data collection & CyberTracker database as well as a two hour tracking field study and intro to snow casting.
Also originally designed by Jim Bruchac for the NYS DEC to aid with various winter species surveys. While such training still continues this class is now open to the general public. Course involves basic-advanced print identification, basic-advanced gaits, basic scatology and hair ID, tracking data collection and CyberTracker database, snow casting, as well as 4 to 5 hours of tracking field studies. Note: Extended Tracking Internships and Apprentice Programs available upon request.
SURVIVAL SKILLS: (photos to come soon)
A great introduction for those who do not have the time or ability to venture into the wild. Utilizing dozens of hands-on skills related objects, video clips and digitized photos, such presentations can focus on any number of wilderness skills and survival related topics from fite, shelter and animal tracking to an overview of wilderness survival essentials.
Recommended for anyone who spends time in the woods this full day class will focuses on such key wilderness skills as emergency shelter and fire making (match and spark based), group bow drill, natural insulation, finding safe drinking water, wilderness navigation and making a personal survival kit. Guaranteed to increase your confidence in the wilderness.
Starting with the learning of such basic skills as mentioned in Wilderness Survival Basics, participants will also learn to make their own backwoods bow drill kit followed by a personal survival hut providing their only shelter for the night ( If you can make a fire you can have one ).Although a limited amount of personal food will be permitted, participants will have a chance to sample a variety of wild edibles as well as some time tested Native survival foods. Class available any time of year.
Designed for such outdoor professionals as wilderness guides, wildlife officials, military forces, law enforcement and search and rescuer crews this intensive course covers all the skills needed to survive in the wild for an extended period of time under the worst conditions. With skills tailored for specific professional's needs, from individual to group based skills. Participants will not only be expected to learn but demonstrate proficiency in a variety of survival skills from fire making, natural insulation, shelter construction, water pacurement, wild edibles and wilderness navigation to wilderness first aid and evacuation, rescue signaling, hazard avoidance and basic survival protocols. Single to multiple day courses available. Length dependent on size of group and number of skills required.
INDIVIDUAL SKILLS CLASSES:
SPARK BASED FIRE MAKING
Focusing on both ancient and modern spark based fire making
methods (flint and steel to modern magnesium strikers) participants will learn proper spark producing techniques as well as how to utilize,
collect and create a variety of natural and modern tinders. During class
participants will also collect and apply all materials required to make
and maintain a safe an effective fire in the wild.
FIRE BY FRICTION:
Participants in this workshops learn two of the most ancient ways of making fire. Within the first part of the workshop participants learn to make their own bow drill, fire by friction kit. In the second class participants make their own, slightly more challenging, hand-drill kit. By the end of both classes participants will not only know how to make and use their kit but have a much better chance of making one from scratch in a wilderness setting.
WILD EDIBLES & MEDICINAL PLANTS:
Throughout the year we offer a variety of basic wild edible and
medicinal plant classes. Many run by guest instructors classes can
focus on very basic and safe trail side nibbles to full out wilderness
meals and healing plants.
MAP & COMPASS (Basic-Advanced Skills)
Despite the wide spread use of GPS, a knowledge of map and
compass is still a critical skill for anyone spending time in the outdoors.
From basic map and compass use to full-out orienteering challenges
our map and compass classes can help you get there and back with
the utmost skill and confidence.
NATURAL NAVIGATION
Focusing on some of the most ancient ways of navigation participants will learn to use the sun, stars, moon, clouds, plants, trees and animals to help them find their way. A great addition to anyone's wilderness bag of tricks.
