Join the Tracking Team!
search for tracks and sign of wildlife in the Mt. Hood snow!
Winter Tracking Surveys
Tracking surveys are conducted by snowshoe in Mt Hood National Forest.
Season: December through March
Training Sessions: November
Season: December through March
Training Sessions: November
Most wild animals are difficult to observe, even though they are all around us. By interpreting the footprints and other signs wildlife leave behind, tracking provides a way to unravel their mystery. These surveys tell us not only about the presence of animals but also how they are using and interacting with an environment, which in turn can inform us about the health of the ecosystem.
These surveys provide a place for new and experienced trackers alike to strengthen their skills, get together with like-minded people, and participate in a long-term survey to detect signs of rare forest carnivores. Even if you are new to tracking, your observations are valuable, providing more eyes and brain-power to help find tracks.
Read more about the Wolverine Tracking Project.
These surveys provide a place for new and experienced trackers alike to strengthen their skills, get together with like-minded people, and participate in a long-term survey to detect signs of rare forest carnivores. Even if you are new to tracking, your observations are valuable, providing more eyes and brain-power to help find tracks.
Read more about the Wolverine Tracking Project.
Survey goals
Measuring coyote tracks
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Our winter snow tracking surveys have two goals:
Tracking is a skill you can spend your whole lifetime learning and still not know everything. We want to be able to share this ancient art with you, to help you either start or continue down that long road of knowledge. It encompasses knowledge of animal behavior, awareness, ecology, and more. The more you study tracking, the more you realize that everything, in fact, leaves a track of some sort. |
Winter 2022-23 Tracking Season
Group Trackers
A group survey inspects hare tracks
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New and Experienced Trackers
Group Tracking Surveys are conducted in teams of up to 10 Trackers and 1-2 experienced Cascadia Wild Tracking Leaders for a total group size of 3-12 people total. Tracking in a group allows for a better survey - the more eyes on the ground and the more hands to help document tracks improves the data quality and our knowledge of local wildlife. Group Tracking Surveys are an excellent opportunity to gain experience tracking and to learn from Tracking Leaders, Apprentices, and each other all winter long! Surveys are typically day-long excursions that arrive to the mountain around 9:00 am, allowing for plenty of time to search for hare, bobcat, coyote, many other wildlife, and - if we are lucky - the tracks of some of our Target Species. Most surveys are on Saturdays and Sundays, however we try to schedule at least one weekday trip as well. |
Self-organized Trackers
Trackers follow a ridge as they search for tracks
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Experienced and Returning Trackers
Self-Organized tracking surveys are conducted by experienced Trackers who want to get out and cover some snowy trails in smaller groups and on their own schedule. Self-Organized Trackers have attended Tracker Training and at least two Group Tracking Surveys and feel confident in their winter tracking abilities. Self-Organized Trackers are welcome to go out tracking whenever they like, although we have certain transects that must be surveyed. We also ask that these trackers do not survey alone - you must be accompanied by at least one other person - another Tracker, or even just a friend who wants to tag along! |
Tracking Apprenticeship
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Returning Trackers
The Tracking Apprenticeship is designed for Trackers looking to further develop their tracking and leadership skills under the mentorship of Tracking Leaders. Tracking Apprentices are returning Trackers who:
Tracking Apprentices help Tracking Leaders on Group Tracking Surveys and are encouraged to use their time in the apprenticeship to their fullest benefit, taking tracking classes and participating in as many surveys as they would like and are able. Learn more about the Tracking Apprenticeship, and let us know if you are interested! |
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Training
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Volunteer Training
Before attending a survey, participants need to attend the online training. This training covers background information on the surveys and survey protocols. The training for returning volunteers differs in that it will focus on what has changed from previous years and will go into more depth on tracks. If you are not able to attend the training, the sessions will be recorded; you will need to watch this at your earliest convenience and prior to helping on a survey.
These trainings are online, and will be recorded for those who can't attend. |
Introduction to Wildlife Tracking course
In addition, trackers are required to attend the Introduction to Wildlife Tracking course, to learn to identify the tracks and trail patterns of the animals we expect to see during the surveys. We would like even experienced trackers to take this course as well, as it will cover a lot of tracking information specific to tracking in snow around Mt Hood. The class is offered as a sliding scale - pay what you can ($35 recommended). Introduction to Wildlife Tracking - Online class: November 10, 6:30-8:30 pm An optional in-person Field Training will also be offered that will provide additional instruction in identifying tracks and trail patterns in real life. If you are new to tracking, this hands-on training will especially be very helpful. It will be held along the Sandy River floodplain in Oxbow Park. There will be three sessions to choose from. There is no additional charge for the field session, however, there is a $5 entry fee to Oxbow Park. Introduction to Wildlife Tracking - Optional field class:
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Survey dates
Group Survey Trips happen most weekends from December through mid March. Here are the surveys dates for the 2022-21 season:
December: Sat Dec 3, Sat Dec 10 (for Tracking Leaders and Apprentices), Tue Dec 13, Sun Dec 18, Sat Dec 31
January: Sat Jan 7, Tue Jan 10, Sun Jan 15, Sat Jan 28
February: Sat-Sun Feb 4-5(Overnight snow camping trip), Mon Feb 6, Sat Feb 18, Sat Feb 25, Sun Feb 27
March: Sun Mar 5
Trip sign ups will begin after the online training.
December: Sat Dec 3, Sat Dec 10 (for Tracking Leaders and Apprentices), Tue Dec 13, Sun Dec 18, Sat Dec 31
January: Sat Jan 7, Tue Jan 10, Sun Jan 15, Sat Jan 28
February: Sat-Sun Feb 4-5(Overnight snow camping trip), Mon Feb 6, Sat Feb 18, Sat Feb 25, Sun Feb 27
March: Sun Mar 5
Trip sign ups will begin after the online training.
Requirements
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Group Tracker Requirements:
Everyone is welcome to apply, no experience is necessary! However, you must meet the following qualifications:
*Children under 18 years of age are welcome as long as they can meet the physical requirements and are accompanied by a Parent/Guardian. |
Self-Organized Trackers - Additional Requirements:
*The person(s) accompanying the Tracker on surveys does not need to meet the above qualifications and does not need to apply, but does need to sign a liability waiver. For the requirements of the Tracking Apprentice, see the Tracking Apprenticeship page. |
All volunteers have the option to receive the Cascadia Wildlife Weekly Newsletter - which includes all the week's best wildlife photos and news - and have access to all of the season's wildlife camera photos.
Volunteers also have access to the data collected throughout the season and receive discounts on select classes, events, and workshops.
Volunteers also have access to the data collected throughout the season and receive discounts on select classes, events, and workshops.
Equipment required
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All Trackers
Items marked with an *asterisk can be requested from Cascadia Wild. Equipment is reserved on a first-come basis and is subject to availability.
Trackers can borrow snowshoes from Cascadia Wild this season!
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Self-Organized Trackers must also supply...
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Not sure what personal gear to bring? See our packing list for some recommendations!
REady to start tracking?
Group and Self-Organized Tracking Surveys
Register by November 3!
Register by November 3!
Note: Based on the number of group survey trips we can offer, we may need to cap registration for group surveys.
Introduction to Wildlife Tracking Course
Register by November 10!
Register by November 10!
Tracking Apprenticeship
If you're interested in becoming a Tracking Apprentice, we would love to hear from you.
If you're interested in becoming a Tracking Apprentice, we would love to hear from you.
Looking at Mt Hood from Surveyor's Ridge. Photo by Käthe Steck
