The Nature Library

We are blessed in this age to be surrounded by so many wonderful resources to hep us along our path. Here is a list of some of our favorite books and other learning resources we have discovered over the years:

Recomended Books:

Tracking Books:

Animal Tracking Basics

Author: John Young

This book is full of very useful exercises to greatly increase your ability to interpret the story that tracks leave behind.

Mammal Tracks and Sign; A Guide to North American Species

Author: Mark Elbroch

The most comprehensive tracking book I have every come across. Full of great pictures, measurement, and a great section on gait interpretation.

Nature Observation and Tracking

Author: Tom Brown Jr.

Another one of my favorite books.

The Art and Science of Tracking

Author: Tom Brown Jr.

Focuses primarily on pressure releases and very gaining very specific information from individual tracks such as speed of travel, which way the head was facing, emotional state, etc.

Tracking and the Art of Seeing

Author: Paul Rezendenz

An awesome book that should be on all trackers bookshelves. This book is great for deeper forest tracking where actual footprints don’t register often. It focuses on signs other then tracks left by animals.

Skulls and Bones

Author: Glenn Searfoss

Did you know an animals skull can tell you tonnes of information about its lifestyle and behavior. Check this book out to learn more. Lots of skull and bone pictures as well.

Survival and Primitive Living Skills Books:

Participating in Nature

Author: Thomas Elpel

A very fun book with lots of great primitive skills and some adaption for the modern hunter gather. A bit of philosophy as well. My favorite write up in it is “the art of nothing” at the end of the book.

Wilderness Survival

Author: Tom Brown Jr.

This book has all the essentials.

Living with the Earth

Author: Tom Brown Jr.

Geared towards longer term wilderness living.

Other Nature Study Books:

North American Wildlife; Illustrated guide to 2000 plants and animals

Author: Readers Digest

Mammals of the Great Lakes Region

Author: Allen Kurta

Long informative write ups very specific to our bio-region.

Peterson Field Guides

Author: Different for each field guide

Great ID guides for all kinds of area of study from edible plants to rock to mammals to the weather.