Animal Tracking and Bird Language

Just as you would read a novel to make the characters and story come alive in your mind, trackers learn to "read" the stories behind animal tracks and signs, using tracking techniques and bird language. Trackers call this "getting inside the mind of the animal." Using traditional lore from the Lipan Apaches, the San Bushmen, and the African Shangaan traditions, as well as biology and the contemporary cognitive sciences; you will learn to track most of the local animals, as well as birds, insects, and humans. Native tackers treat tracking as a "spiritual" practice. We will look at how that tradition is still evolving. The best way to learn tracking has always been to go tracking with experienced trackers. This course is taught in the field by internationally certified local tracker Jim Sullivan, a 4th generation Sonoma County native who has been roaming local landscapes for over 75 years, exploring and learning from others in the tracking community.

This course will meet at a different outdoor location for each session, to be announced by the instructor prior to each meeting. The first meeting will include an orientation, and the location will be provided to students upon registration.

Minors 15 years old or above are welcome with parent permission and typically do well in tracking classes.