Comments for Professional Trackers

Comment on New Mexico Tracking Class – October 2012 by Al Webster

Al Webster — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:03:53 +0000

Following the unsuccessful first two Operational Periods of 12 hours each and, now well into our third Operational Period, a searcher from OP Period two has returned to Incident Base and approaches me (Planning Section Chief)wanting to know if I have time to talk to her. Since we now have all the teams deployed to the field and actively searching I take the time and say, ‘Of course.’ This searcher starts telling me about some tracks she had followed on Op Period 2 – and the more she talks and the more she responds to my questions; stride, dwell, age of tracks, direction of travel, etc. the more I’m certain that this tracker has almost located the subject – I can feel the round pegs falling into the round holes, the square pegs falling into the square ones, etc. I immediately advise OPS Section Chief to deploy resources to the site of the tracks and within 15 minutes we have a find.

Without the tenacity of the searcher returning to discuss the tracks with me and, much more importantly, if this searcher had not seen and followed the tracks we may not have found the subject who, sadly for all, was deceased. I need to emphasize that the subject was subsequently determined to have become deceased well before OP Period one when the search was initiated. Thanks to this tracker for focusing on the tracks that led to a ‘find’ As always, in the case of a recovery, we work for the family and the friends of the subject. Many thanks to Fernando for his having trained us in the importance of and skills associated with tracking – for both personnel on the ground and for those of us who sometimes work Incident Base.

Al Webster

New Mexico Search & Rescue

Comment on Military, law enforcement and search and rescue by Rose Ann Allen-Ciccone

Rose Ann Allen-Ciccone — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:17:03 +0000

I would be very interested in taking some of these classes offered for first reponse. Please contact me if there are any classes available in Pennsylvania, east coast. I am also close to both New Jersey and New York. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you

Comment on New Mexico Tracking Class – October 2012 by Drew McPhee

Drew McPhee — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:58:23 +0000

I have taken both basic and advanced tracking with Fernando here in New Mexico. As a member of Search and Rescue and retired Law Enforcement, I found these classes to be outstanding. Within a week of the advanced class, a classmate from a neighboring team used Fernando’s tracking techniques to locate a missing person. My desert hikes are no longer the same as I find myself looking for track. I look forward to Fernando’s next class in New Mexico.

Comment on search and rescue tracking by Karen Kerley

Karen Kerley — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 01:12:37 +0000

Fernando’s classes fill up fast so make sure you sign up and pay early! Don’t miss out on the fun and the education to save a life!

Comment on tracking classes by Hailey Okeif

Hailey Okeif — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:22:31 +0000

Ferando!!!! I have tracked you…haha.. Hailey Okeif here, Just finished training with the sar teams from several counties at the Cresent City CA training last weekend. The Man Tracking instructor was a joke. But wishing you were the instructor for that. write me back so we can talk more. How are you?

Comment on Mountain Lion Sighting by Celeste Cole

Celeste Cole — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:17:22 +0000

It is almost always that way, where is the camera when you want it. I love cougars and I was fortunate to see my very first kitten in 2009. I did have the camera, but could not locate ‘mom’ and left the scene before I became a part of it. I’m a wildlife biologist, survival instructor and member of COSAR in southern Oregon. I hope, even if you had a gun, you would not have used it unless it became necessary. Appreciate your work and your site. Thank you.

Comment on TRACKERS CAMP – 15th year Anniversary by Del

Del — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:49:30 +0000

Any information as to where this is going to be? Maps? Directions?

Comment on Butte County SAR Tracking Class by ButteSAR

ButteSAR — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:24:28 +0000

Fernando and Team:
All particpants thoroughly enjoyed the 3-day tracking class you presented. Everyone felt the class was EXCELLENT, well organized, and expertly presented.

We all look forward to further training from your group.

D. Hallgren
Training Officer
Butte County, CA Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team

Comment on Flashlight by ButteSAR

ButteSAR — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:41:58 +0000

I have this light, and it is *BRIGHT*. The brightness comes at a “price” of course, the 8 AA batteries last about 1.25 hours on the highest setting, but this light is so bright, I willingly carry reloads. A flaw in its design is the placement and style of the on/off switch on the rear of the casing….it is an “electronic” switch that can be easily inadvertently activated in a pack unless you protect it from such contact.

Comment on Mountain Lion Sighting by 203m

203m — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:08:45 +0000

Next time shoot it so that you can take it home with you and take the photos
Chris Marks

Comment on SAR Tracker Class at Lake Sonoma by Ruth Misevic

Ruth Misevic — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:47:16 +0000

re, The snipe Hunt. I personally appreciated studying ant and spider tracking–Fernando is amazing! It was, in fact, interesting as always getting into the minute details of tracks, seeing the subtle (and not so subtle) changes in the environment, improving teamwork, gettin’ to know people, etc. I’m looking forward to attending next time.

Ruth Misevic
SonomaSAR

Comment on SAR Tracker Class at Lake Sonoma by Ray Connors

Ray Connors — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:19:59 +0000

Spent the weekend with Fernando learning how to track. It was a fantastic time Fernando is a great instructor who is encouroging to be around. Even at 106 degrees out it was still a great time. I’am looking forward to attending more of his traing classes and hopefully get to go on another snipe hunt.

Ray Connors
Sonoma County S.A.R