16171
W. Britain
Native Americans learned their tracking skills through a variety of methods: studying the natural environment, animal behavior, discerning the tracks and signs of any particular prey and observing their behavior. Probably foremost was the wisdom handed down through the oral training of a mentor. Remain quiet, try to be downwind, be aware of the cast of your shadow, move cautiously and silently; principals employed by any good tracker. Because of generations of training many Native Americans were employed as scouts. Their tracking abilities played a valuable role, often making the difference between life and death, and not only on the hunt but also on the battlefield.