03/06/2006--Wolf Pack The deer heard the howls of the wolves and quickened its pace to find shelter. Waiting beneath an evergreen tree, she new that she had left a vivid scent train and it was probably only a matter of time before the wolf pack closed in on her.

Once again, with the last snow storm, we had tracking snow and were able to do our scent tracking activity. Students learn about wolves and deer and what it’s like to track down their prey. Since people’s noses aren’t as keen as a wolf, a little help is in order with water bottles filled with both food color and food extract scents to make a trail that a human nose can follow.

“Deer” are given a head start and encouraged to make as difficult a trail as they can, crisscrossing each others path and to eventually find a hiding spot.

The “wolves” are given a starting point and then allowed to track down their prey.

This can be easy or difficult, depending upon the skill of the “deer.” Some students simply walk straight through the woods and hide under the first branch they find. Others make circles, back track, and in general make things hard.

Then there are the “wolves.” Some packs while encouraged to actively scent the trail, abandon the idea and simply walk around until they see a “deer” or more often don’t see anyone and give up. Most however, approach the idea with relish and might travel a long ways on hands and knees to scent their deer.