In interviews, or in books they write, most African PHs pay tribute to their trackers, but often refer to them by nickname or first name only. Very, very few of the trackers probably want fame themselves, so its probably moot. At the end of the day, the hunt's success goes to the PH.

We also read accounts of how trackers go ahead of the column basically unarmed and unprotected, and how charging animals scatter the trackers and bearers in all directions, always with "the PH saving the day" with one (or two) charge-stopping shots. We also read about trackers getting bitten and clawed and gored and stomped to death. But we seldom read whether their families were compensated.

As a fellow tracker with forty some years experience (none in Africa though) I must say it is nice to see something about the science of that technique. Will have to better reading than stuff about food plots, bait dispensers, and scent blocking. Interesting that this would come up today. I just got home from taking a Texas fella deer hunting. We checked out two different places and I found deer for him on both counts. He wanted a whitetail doe to fill his second tag (only good for WT doe) and eventually he did get a shot. We have snow here so I gave him a lesson on tracking. Weather has been holding at just under freezing or less for several days. I challenged him to tell me which tracks in the draw were fresh. He thought they were all fresh. Then I showed him the difference. Even in situations where the snow is not changing significantly during a day it's still possible to discern a fresh track. Tracks left standing overnight during these conditions will have tiny ice crystals on the edges. In another instance I pointed out that we had been following a trophy antelope buck, not a respectable deer as we thought. "How do you know?" I pointed to the fence in front of us and sure enough the animal had clearly gone through the fence rather than jumping it. As proof I pulled the tuft of hair off the lowest wire. The color was clearly too light for a deer.

Well if Mr. Petzal and Happy Myles give it the thumbs up it sounds like my stocking will have to fit one.

Yet another good-sounding book to add to my wishlist. Can't wait!

Have always been fascinated with African Trackers. Ordered.

Done. DEP and Mr Myles is a good enough recommendation for me.

Thanks buckhunter. I usually let spikes walk, but my friend just got a meat slicer and dehydrator this year and we are practicing making deer jerky. We need all the meat we can get, the stuff is really good.

Called Barnes & Noble and found out that the book would not be available until 1/15/13; however, the cost was $21.69 soft cover and 33.01 for hardcover.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE SKYLINE AND THE WIND IN YOUR FACE.