Good day Finland Trackers! I have not forgotten you. Here is a start in a series of article that I will write reference Human Tracking and Anti-Tracking. I hope that you enjoyed the last article on Anti-Tracking. This coming year until April of 2015, I will be basically writing a series of article on the “How to of Tracking”. So, having said this, how is it that we can assess the approximate number of humans and animals in a given area?

1. Average Pace Count Method – The average adult human’s stride measures from left (right) to right (left) heel impression, approximately 76cm (30 inches). The pace of a human is the measured distance of two sequential steps, of the same foot. Since one stride, from a left (right) to right (left) foot heel will measure approximately 76cm (30 inches), you must multiply by 2 in order to measure two sequential steps of the same foot. Drawing two lines of two sequential steps will approximately measure a distance of 152cm (60 inches). If possible this should be the Most Visible Prominent Track(s) of the same footwear or bare foot impression. Say for example: the Chase’s left foot leaves a well preserved, discernible footwear impression. Draw your first line using the rear edge of that left heel impression as a point of reference. That line should be drawn cross the entire width of the footwear impressions in question. This line will be horizontally and perpendicular to where that person’s left heel came in contact with the surface. At this time measure the first stride of that person’s footwear impression, (heel-to-heel) which should lead to the right heel impression, then find the next stride and draw the second line crossing the entire width of the footwear impressions in question. Again, use the left foot’s rear edge of the heel impression as a point of reference. Now you can start calculate the number of persons in question. Count every footwear impression and partial impression within these two lines you drew; then divide the total sum by two. So, if you count 16 impressions, you divide by two; the results should be 8 personnel. The Average Pace Count Method is intended for 7 to 14 persons. In a heavy forested area, where no footwear impressions can be seen, one must count the number of Flattened are, Ground Signs, consisting of live or dead vegetation. These Flatten areas are areas where someone dwelled for a period of time. It can be a sleep, surveillance, hide site, temporary, extended, communication, or meal halt. If you see rope marks around the trees, indicating the use of hammocks, count the number of marks and divide by two. Hammocks usually utilize two trees, but do not forget that the same tree may be used for more than one hammock. (See Anti-Tracking:Chap 6)

NOTE: Basically the stride of the average adult is pretty much the same. The stride, and as a direct result the pace, will vary in length based on terrain, weather, weight, walking up hill or downhill, physical and psychological condition, and height of the person(s) in question. (child compare to an adult).


We will continue this tracking how to “ASSESSING THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HUMANS AND ANIMALS” this coming September. So, until we track again in September keep training. In September we will discuss the Comparison Method of assessing the approximate number of humans and animals in a given area. My Anti-Tracking book will be out in the Spring or Summer of 2015.

Hasta La Proxima!

Track On Finland!

Dave Out!