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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Tracking from the saddle, etc

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "T'mi Finkle" <tfinkle@erols.com>
  • To: "'Mounted search and rescue'" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Tracking from the saddle, etc
  • Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:28:00 -0400

The truth remains that we are talking about a (made for) television program here.  Yes, tracking can be done from horseback if the appropriate conditions are present and I have followed tracks myself while mounted.  While there are some SAR strategies present in the show; the show, the program is not about educating SAR responders.  I consider this show not much different than the CSI programs that have become so popular that is based upon some real world application and with the good guys winning most of the time.  Given a different program director’s twist and supporting production staff, Terry Grant’s starring role could be that of the “prey,” thus making the trackers (and their skills) look very foolish. .I enjoy watching this program just as much as I enjoy NCIS. Now where is my remote?

 

T’mi

TROTSAR

 

    

 


From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jorene Downs
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 2:45 AM
To: 'Mounted search and rescue'
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Tracking from the saddle, etc

 

From: pennbo@verizon.net
[...] However I wouldn't refer anyone to watch mantracker as an example of tracking from horseback! He is a pretty poor tracker at best. He has no real training in any of it. If he didn't have a 'buddy' familiar with the terrain to help him out I daresay his "prey" would win a lot more often! :-)  But he makes for good TV and for the completely uninitiated he might actually convince them we can do...what equestrian teams have been doing for several centuries!! LOL
Chris

 ================

 

I have to disagree with you on tracking ability, Chris. Consider on the TV series Terry Grant's role is trying to outsmart his "prey" and intercept them for "capture" so the emphasis for TV is far more on strategy than on actual tracking. But he still makes a point of locating and noting shoeprints for future recognition, and at times will guide the camera to something like freshly bruised foliage or an overturned rock ... things an experienced tracker would see.

 

Grant's TV objective isn't to follow where the volunteers actually go, instead predicting / anticipating so he can get ahead of them to catch them or gain enough ground with position where he can actually see them and adjust his strategy. What is shown on Mantracker would be rather similar to SAR  tracking where you might have someone leapfrog ahead to a trail intersection or natural track trap to confirm you're still on the right trail, so you can expedite to get closer to the subject. Another SAR comparison is the strategy adjustment as the incident evolves.

 

Terrain is always intentionally challenging on the show, giving the volunteer "prey" lots of opportunity to cut cross country through environments that will at minimum slow riders, or be unsafe or inaccessible for riding. Sometimes Grant will check ahead, not find evidence of his "prey", and backtrack to find the new direction of travel or go check another possible location, etc. This demonstrates yet another SAR tracking strategy where parallel trails might be checked for sign if the subject left the trail.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jorene Downs

SAR, CERT, Emergency Communications

Mounted SAR

http://www.ceoates.com/msar

KJ6JCD

 




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