As strange as it may seem, much of my time spent outdoors is spent looking down at the ground.

With a trapping background, I learned the importance of discovering animal tracks early on. If one can find where animals step, one can begin to learn their habits and patterns, increasing the odds of harvesting the target.

When still-hunting, I often have to remind myself to scan ahead for game and a possible shot opportunity rather than the sign on the ground. While making a deer drive during archery season this fall, as I crawled through brush I nearly put my hand down into a fresh bear track print in the mud. Such discoveries fuel the primitive spirit, and despite never seeing the bear, it felt good to be aware of it.

Full story here.