Customer Reviews:
 A great primer but is missing some details February 13, 2008
I love the 12-fold, laminated format. It's light and waterproof, which I found helpful when I took it to ID tracks in the snow. Tracks are represented in solid black, and while other guides will use shading to show more detail, they usually do so with klugey line or stipple ink drawings, which in my opinion tend to be a barrier when interpreting from book to tracks. Descriptions are simple; this is about tracks and scats, period. However, sadly omitted were track patterns (there are often vast differences between walking, loping and running). Additionally, more exotic species (take the coati, for instance) won't be found here. However, this is a good "starter guide" and I'd agree with another reviewer who said it'd be ideal for kids and groups, due to its simplicity, durability and affordability.
Skimpy, but light January 28, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This field guide is not a book. It is a laminated, 1 piece, 6-fold brochure. There are 54 mammal tracks and pictures (including a Virginia opossum and a nine-banded armadillo), 18 bird tracks (no pictures here), 10 diagrams of sign (like a beaver cutting), and 11 diagrams of scat (you know what I mean). The lack of pictures of the birds is puzzling, as you are much more likely to see a pigeon or a dark-eyed junco than a mountain lion.
The mix of species is eclectic. I mean, when will you need to know the tracks of a mountain goat at the same time as an eastern mole, or a grizzly bear and a roadrunner? The quality is good, but the track drawings are very small. Most mammal track drawings are about 1/2 inch in length.
This seems very expensive at $5.95. I'd say a more appropriate price is $1.95. Consider putting additional money into obtaining a copy of A Field Guide to Animal Tracks (Peterson Field Guides), or a Field Guide to Mammal Tracking in North America by James C. Halfpenny. On the other hand, Animal Tracks is very light. If weight and space are considerations, the cost may be worth it.
To the authors, I'd recommend one panel being made clear or white, so tracings can be made right on this pamphlet with a wax pencil or dry erase marker. The alternative for the user is to put some post-it note pages inside. They stick very well.
For the schoolteacher, try to buy these in bulk. They would be very nice to hand out to a class of 20-30 students on a hike, and afterwards would be easy to clean and store in the classroom. If you can't find any tracks, have a track-making contest!
Now onward to the trail!
 Foldout - not a Book December 21, 2005
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
Read the description carefully before you purchase. This is NOT a book or paperback. It is a 12 page foldout (including the front cover) .... not exactly what I expected.
 Short & to the point December 10, 2005
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a good purchase. Of course you can buy larger books on tracks but this is just as good, and convenient to carry. You will find it all, well almost. this fold-out will make you want to live outdoors and track things all day long! so quit your job now, and get started, Pepe'!
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