5 Animal Tracks Every Outdoorsman Should Recognize

Reading the Story in the Mud

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Tracks are a record of what passed through before you arrived, and learning to read them is one of the oldest outdoor skills. State wildlife agencies, hunting magazines and nature organizations publish track guides, and they agree on the basics: look at the shape of the print, the number of toes, the presence of claw marks and the pattern the animal leaves as it moves, called its gait. The five below are common across much of North America. A single track rarely identifies an animal on its own, so look at several consecutive prints and the surrounding terrain. Tracks show best in fresh mud, wet sand and snow. Take photos with a coin or pen for scale, and compare with a field guide. With practice, you will begin to see more of what lives around you.

Deer

Deer tracks are among the easiest to learn. The prints are heart-shaped, formed by two pointed toes, and they usually appear in pairs. Deer walk diagonally, with front and hind legs on opposite sides lifting together, so the tracks look staggered in a neat line. Dewclaws may show in deep mud or snow, especially when the animal runs or jumps. Fresh prints have crisp edges and may hold moisture. Deer trails often lead between feeding and bedding areas, and are well worn through brush. Hunters and hikers can use tracks to learn where animals move. A larger print with a long stride often means a buck, though size alone can be misleading. Move quietly and look for rubs and droppings nearby.

Coyote

Coyote tracks resemble a dog's but are narrower and more oval. They have four toes and may show visible claw marks. A good clue is the gait: coyotes usually travel in a direct register, so the hind feet land in or near the tracks of the front feet, which can make the prints overlap in a tidy line. That efficient walk conserves energy over long distances. Compared with a pet dog, the trail is straighter and more purposeful. Fox tracks are smaller, and in snow they sit on top, while coyote tracks go deeper. Look for scat full of fur or seeds, which marks territory. Coyotes are adaptable and appear in forests, deserts and suburbs, so tracks may appear almost anywhere.

Raccoon

Raccoon prints look like tiny human hands, with five long toes on both the front and hind feet. They are most often found near streams, ponds and campsites, where the animal forages. The front prints are small and slender, while the hind prints are longer and look like a baby's foot. The gait is a pace, with the legs on one side moving together, which creates a waddling trail. One source notes that raccoons are pacers alongside bears, which helps with cross-checking. Look for tracks at the edge of water, where mud holds a clear impression. If you find hand-like prints near your cooler, secure your food. Raccoons are clever and can open latches, and a night visit leaves a trail.

Black Bear

Black bear tracks are large and look something like a human footprint, with five toes and a wide pad. Sources say bear tracks look fairly similar to human tracks, and that bears tend to amble with the back foot falling close to the front. The rear track typically measures about four to six inches long. Claw marks may appear in front of the toes. Bears are pacers, like raccoons, and walk with a rolling gait. Tracks near water, berry patches, trash or a campsite should prompt caution. If you see fresh bear prints, make noise, keep food stored properly and carry bear spray where appropriate. Check regional wildlife advice, because the species and rules differ by area. A track is a quiet reminder that you share the woods.

Rabbit and Hare

Rabbit tracks are easy to recognize once you learn the pattern. Rabbits move in a gallop, so their larger hind feet land ahead of their front feet. The usual signature is a pair of long oval prints side by side, with two smaller round prints behind or between them. In snow, the pattern looks like a series of small exclamation marks. Rabbits often travel between cover and feeding areas, and tracks may lead to a brush pile or burrow. Look for nibbled twigs and small round droppings. The pattern can also help you identify other hoppers, such as squirrels, which leave a similar but smaller arrangement. Tracking rabbits is a good first exercise, since they are common and leave clear sign.

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