Some of the research I did for my fantasy Hunter Moon was about tracking people in different terrains, on foot and on horseback. Research was necessary since I’ve never tracked a person nor have I been tracked 😀
NY Times bestselling author Bob Mayer
knows a few things about tracking. His most recent post about it is here. He says that most good trackers know the land and understand that people usually take the easiest path. So, with knowledge and logic, a tracker can get ahead of the person being tracked. It’s not so much about being able to see where they’ve been (tracks, broken plants, other clues). He has all kinds of great information about disaster planning and survival tips, too.
In HM, the main character Marce Archerwood is a reluctant hunter and tracker. Her job was decided for her based on her goddess-given gifts.
Not only is she knowledgeable about the land, but also she can see the path her target took, even if they try to cover their tracks or take unusual tactics. For Marce, all steps and hand prints glow in her vision. She’s like a blood hound. Just as the hound can discern different scents, she can identify different visual cues. (Hey, it is a fantasy.)
Another of my research sources is the TV show Mantracker on the Science Channel. The website has episodes about duos who think they can escape their pursuers. Some partners work together better than others, and the failed attempts are as enlightening as the few winners. The show presents the run from both points of view–the hunter and the hunted.
Do you have a survival pack ready to go? Would you go on a survival reality show to be tracked down like a fugitive?