New Mexico
One-Day Trailing
Evaluations
Trailing Bears in the Dunes!
March 2026 One - Day Trailing Evaluations Open for Registration!
(Albuquerque Area)
March 5th & 6th 8:30 - 4:30
( world class instructor 4 person total each Eval )
The Trailing Evaluation is an opportunity for each tracker to follow a trail so we can observe the animal who is leaving it, while it is relaxed. Here are some specifics of what you can expect while in the field during a Trailing Evaluation:
Trailing Evaluations are entirely outside in the field. Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, as well as enough food and water for each day. You should be prepared for a full day in the woods or desert.
Participants are assessed on their ability to move through the landscape without disturbing wildlife. Natural colored clothing and other appropriate attire and equipment is recommended.
Each Evaluation has two to four participants.
We follow tracks wherever the animals go, if it is safe: up and down mountains, across creeks, through swamps, into thickets, all of which can be physically challenging.
The distances walked depend on the density of animals, the species followed, and the skill level of the lead tracker. Expect to walk at least a few miles cross country each day. The pace is often slow, and you may stand for long periods while the lead tracker looks for an unclear trail.
Participants are on-trail for different lengths of time. The Evaluator watches trackers for as long as necessary to understand what they need to work on next to improve.
As lead tracker, your goal is to choose a trail, follow it, interpret the animal’s behavior, stay alert to the environment of the trail, show the animal to the Evaluator and the group, and sneak away undetected. Not all of that occurs on every trail, but it is the ultimate goal.
The Evaluator may ask questions, and some may not have a clear answer: Which way is the wind blowing? What did the animal do here? Where is the animal going? Is the animal aware of us? Is it female or male, adult or young? Answers are not recorded as right or wrong as at a Track & Sign Evaluation, but they reflect the tracker’s understanding of natural history, animal behavior, and spoor interpretation.
While not on point as lead tracker, you have a chance to observe how other trackers work trails. If a highly skilled tracker is being evaluated, then you will witness excellent tracking. Having the chance to work with peers and share experiences within your crew adds another valuable learning opportunity.
During the two days, you will see, first-hand, animal behavior as it is reflected in the trail; you may watch animals; you will come away with a clearer sense of how to age tracks and relocate a trail after losing it; an understanding of how to play wind currents to your advantage; and how to move through the woods quietly in order to sneak up on animals.
The rigors of a Trailing Evaluation will push you to the edge of your tracking abilities and help move you past a wall in your tracking practice.
At the end of day two, the Evaluator will provide feedback on what you did well and where you can improve. You will receive a score and, if earned, a CyberTracker Certification for Trailing.
We typically follow any of the ungulates, especially deer, elk, moose, feral hogs, javelina, and bighorn sheep; however, participants should be prepared to follow the trail of any animal large enough to leave sign, e.g., bears.
Basic Requirements and skill sets
(One -Day Trailing Evaluations Can Only Obtain a Trailing I Certification)
Trailing I Certificate: The candidate must be a fair systematic tracker and be able to track humans or large animals. He or she must have a fair ability to judge the age of spoor. To qualify for the Trailing I certificate the candidate must obtain 70% on the Trailing of a human or large mammal spoor.
Your instructor Casey McFarland is a Senior Tracker and CyberTracker Evaluator working internationally to train and certify biologists, research teams, eco-tourism guides and the general public. Casey runs Track & Sign and Trailing Evaluations, as well as a variety of backcountry expeditions and wildlife courses. In 12 years as an Evaluator, Casey has run over 150 Evaluations and given trainings in 8 countries, and as an External Evaluator he oversees Track & Sign Specialist Evaluations. He was integral to the establishment CyberTracker Europe, and currently sits as President of CyberTracker North America.
Full Refunds minus $50 processing fee given before 30 days of program after that I will honor a credit If I can fill your spot!