FM 23-10
CHAPTER 8
TRACKING/COUNTERTRACKING
When a sniper follows a trail, he builds a picture of the enemy in his
mind by asking himself questions: How many persons am I
following? What is their state of training? How are they equipped?
Are they healthy? What is their state of morale? Do they know they
are being followed? To answer these questions, the sniper uses
available indicators to track the enemy. The sniper looks for signs
that reveal an action occurred at a specific time and place.
For example, a footprint in soft sand is an excellent indicator, since
a sniper can determine the specific time the person passed
By comparing indicators, the sniper obtains answers to his
questions. For example, a footprint and a waist-high scuff on a tree
may indicate that an armed individual passed this way.
Section I
TRACKING
Any indicator the sniper discovers can be defined by one of six
tracking concepts: displacement, stains, weather, litter, camouflage, and
immediate-use intelligence.
8-1. DISPLACEMENT
Displacement takes place when anything is moved from its
original position. A well-defined footprint or shoe print in soft, moist
ground is a good example of displacement. By studying the footprint or
shoe print, the sniper determines several important facts. For example, a
print left by worn footgear or by bare feet may indicate lack of
proper equipment. Displacement can also result from clearing a trail by
breaking or cutting through heavy vegetation with a machete. These trails
are obvious to the most inexperienced sniper who is tracking. Individuals may
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unconsciously break more branches as they follow someone who is cutting
the vegetation. Displacement indicators can also be made by persons
carrying heavy loads who stop to rest; prints made by box edges can help
to identify the load. When loads are set down at a rest halt or campsite,
they usually crush grass and twigs. A reclining soldier also flattens
the vegetation.
a. Analyzing Footprints. Footprints may indicate direction, rate of
movement, number, sex, and whether the individual knows he is
being tracked.
(1) If footprints are deep and the pace is long, rapid movement
is apparent. Long strides and deep prints with toe prints deeper than heel
prints indicate running (A, Figure 8-l).
(2) Prints that are deep, short, and widely spaced, with signs of
scuffing or shuffling indicate the person is carrying a heavy load (B,
Figure 8-l).
(3) If the party members realize they are being followed, they may try
to hide their tracks. Persons walking backward (C, Figure 8-1) have a
short, irregular stride. The prints have an unnaturally deep toe, and soil
is displaced in the direction of movement.
(4) To determine the sex (D, Figure 8-l), the sniper should study the
size and position of the footprints. Women tend to be pigeon-toed, while
men walk with their feet straight ahead or pointed slightly to the outside.
Prints left by women are usually smaller and the stride is usually shorter
than prints left by men.
b. Determining Key Prints. The last individual in the file usually
leaves the clearest footprints; these become the key prints. The sniper
cuts a stick to match the length of the prints and notches it to indicate the
width at the widest part of the sole. He can then study the angle of the
key prints to the direction of march. The sniper looks for an identifying
mark or feature, such as worn or frayed footwear, to help him identify
the key prints. If the trail becomes vague, erased, or merges with another,
the sniper can use his stick-measuring devices and, with close study, can
identify the key prints. This method helps the sniper to stay on the trail.
A technique used to count the total number of individuals being tracked
is the box method. There are two methods the sniper can use to employ
the box method.
(1) The most accurate is to use the stride as a unit of measure
(Figure 8-2) when key prints can be determined. The sniper uses the set
of key prints and the edges of the road or trail to box in an area to analyze.
This method is accurate under the right conditions for counting up to
18 persons.
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(2) The sniper may also use the the 36-inch box method (Figure 8-3)
if key prints are not evident. To use the 36-inch box method, the sniper
uses the edges of the road or trail as the sides of the box. He measures a
cross section of the area 36 inches long, counting each indentation in the
box and dividing by two. This method gives a close estimate of the number
of individuals who made the prints; however, this system is not as accurate
as the stride measurement.
c. Recognizing Other Signs of Displacement Foliage, moss, vines,
sticks, or rocks that are scuffed or snagged from their original position
form valuable indicators. Vines may be dragged, dew droplets displaced,
or stones and sticks overturned (A, Figure 8-4) to show a different
color underneath. Grass or other vegetation may be bent or broken in
the direction of movement (B, Figure 8-4).
(1) The sniper inspects all areas for bits of clothing, threads, or dirt from
footgear that can be torn or can fall and be left on thorns, snags, or the ground.
(2) Flushed from their natural habitat, wild animals and birds are
another example of displacement. Cries of birds excited by unnatural
movement is an indicator; moving tops of tall grass or brush on a windless
day indicates that someone is moving the vegetation.
(3) Changes in the normal life of insects and spiders may indicate
that someone has recently passed. Valuable clues are disturbed bees, ant
holes uncovered by someone moving over them, or tom spider webs.
Spiders often spin webs across open areas, trails, or roads to trap
flying insects. If the tracked person does not avoid these webs, he leaves
an indicator to an observant sniper.
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(4) If the person being followed tries to use a stream to cover his trail,
the sniper can still follow successfully. Algae and other water plants can
be displaced by lost footing or by careless walking. Rocks can be displaced
from their original position or overturned to indicate a lighter or darker
color on the opposite side. The person entering or exiting a stream
creates slide marks or footprints, or scuffs the bark on roots or sticks
(C, Figure 8-4). Normally, a person or animal seeks the path of least
resistance; therefore, when searching the stream for an indication of
departures, snipers will find signs in open areas along the banks.
8-2. STAINS
A stain occurs when any substance from one organism or article is smeared
or deposited on something else. The best example of staining is blood
from a profusely bleeding wound. Bloodstains often appear as spatters
or drops and are not always on the ground; they also appear smeared on
leaves or twigs of trees and bushes.
a. By studying bloodstains, the sniper can determine the
wound s location.
(1) If the blood seems to be dripping steadily, it probably came from
a wound on the trunk.
(2) If the blood appears to be slung toward the front, rear, or sides,
the wound is probably in the extremity.
(3) Arterial wounds appear to pour blood at regular intervals as if
poured from a pitcher. If the wound is veinous, the blood pours steadily.
(4) A lung wound deposits pink, bubbly, and frothy bloodstains.
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(5) A bloodstain from a head wound appears heavy, wet, and slimy.
(6) Abdominal wounds often mix blood with digestive juices so the
deposit has an odor and is light in color.
The sniper can also determine the seriousness of the wound and how far
the wounded person can move unassisted. This proms may lead the sniper
to enemy bodies or indicate where they have been carried.
b. Staining can also occur when muddy footgear is dragged over grass,
stones, and shrubs. Thus, staining and displacement combine to indicate
movement and direction. Crushed leaves may stain rocky ground that is
too hard to show footprints. Roots, stones, and vines may be stained where
leaves or berries are crushed by moving feet.
c. The sniper may have difficulty in determining the difference
between staining and displacement since both terms can be applied to
some indicators. For example, muddied water may indicate recent
movement; displaced mud also stains the water. Muddy footgear can
stain stones in streams, and algae can be displaced from stones in streams
and can stain other stones or the bank. Muddy water collects in new
footprints in swampy ground; however, the mud settles and the water clears
with time. The sniper can use this information to indicate time; normally,
the mud clears in about one hour, although time varies with the terrain.
8-3. WEATHER
Weather either aids or hinders the sniper. It also affects indicators in
certain ways so that the sniper can determine their relative ages.
However, wind, snow, rain, or sunlight can erase indicators entirely and
hinder the sniper. The sniper should know how weather affects soil,
vegetation, and other indicators in his area. He cannot determine the age
of indicators until he understands the effects that weather has on trail signs.
a. By studying weather effects on indicators, the sniper can determine
the age of the sign (for example, when bloodstains are fresh, they are
bright red). Air and sunlight first change blood to a deep ruby-red color,
then to a dark brown crust when the moisture evaporates. Scuff marks on
trees or bushes darken with time; sap oozes, then hardens when it makes
contact with the air.
b. Weather affects footprints (Figure 8-5). By carefully studying the
weather process, the sniper can estimate the age of the print. If particles
of soil are beginning to fall into the print, the sniper should become
a stalker. If the edges of the print are dried and crusty, the prints are
probably about one hour old. This varies with terrain and should be
considered as a guide only.
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c. A light rain may round the edges of the print. By remembering
when the last rain occurred, the sniper can place the print into a
time frame. A heavy rain may erase all signs.
d. Trails exiting streams may appear weathered by rain due to water
running from clothing or equipment into the tracks. This is especially
true if the party exits the stream single file. Then, each person deposits
water into the tracks. The existence of a wet, weathered trail slowly fading
into a dry trail indicates the trail is fresh.
e. Wind dries tracks and blows litter, sticks, or leaves into prints.
By recalling wind activity, the sniper may estimate the age of the tracks.
For example, the sniper may reason the wind is calm at the present but
blew hard about an hour ago. These tracks have litter in them, so they
must be over an hour old. However, he must be sure that the litter was
not crushed into them when the prints were made.
(1) Wind affects sounds and odors. If the wind is blowing toward the
sniper, sounds and odors may be carried to him; conversely, if the wind is
blowing away from the sniper, he must be extremely cautious since wind
also carries sounds toward the enemy. The sniper can determine wind
direction by dropping a handful of dust or dried grass from
shoulder height. By pointing in the same direction the wind is blowing,
the sniper can localize sounds by cupping his hands behind his ears and
turning slowly. When sounds are loudest, the sniper is facing the origin.
(2) In calm weather (no wind), air currents that may be too light to
detect can carry sounds to the sniper. Air cools in the evening and moves
downhill toward the valleys. If the sniper is moving uphill late in the day
or at night, air currents will probably be moving toward him if no other
wind is blowing. As the morning sun warms the air in the valleys, it
moves uphill. The sniper considers these factors when plotting patrol
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routes or other operations. If he keeps the wind in his face, sounds and
odors will be carried to him from his objective or from the party being tracked.
(3) The sun should also be considered by the sniper. It is difficult to
fire directly into the sun, but if the sniper has the sun at his back and the
wind in his face, he has a slight advantage.
8-4. LITTER
A poorly trained or poorly disciplined unit moving over terrain may leave
a trail of litter. Unmistakable signs of recent movement are gum or candy
wrappers, food cans, cigarette butts, remains of fires, or human feces.
Rain flattens or washes litter away and turns paper into pulp. Exposure to
weather can cause food cans to rust at the opened edge; then, the rust
moves toward the center. The sniper must consider weather conditions
when estimating the age of litter. He can use the last rain or strong wind
as the basis for a time frame.
8-5. CAMOUFLAGE
Camouflage applies to tracking when the followed party employs
techniques to baffle or slow the sniper. For example, walking backward
to leave confusing prints, brushing out trails, and moving over rocky
ground or through streams.
8-6. IMMEDIATE-USE INTELLIGENCE
The sniper combines all indicators and interprets what he has seen to form
a composite picture for on-the-spot intelligence. For example, indicators
may show contact is imminent and require extreme stealth.
a. The sniper avoids reporting his interpretations as facts. He reports
what he has seen rather than stating these things exist. There are many
ways a sniper can interpret the sex and size of the party, the load, and the
type of equipment. Timeframes can be determined by weathering effects
on indicators.
b. Immediate-use intelligence is information about the enemy that
can be used to gain surprise, to keep him off balance, or to keep him from
escaping the area entirely. The commander may have many sources
of intelligence reports, documents, or prisoners of war. These sources
can be combined to form indicators of the enemy s last location, future
plans, and destination.
c. Tracking, however, gives the commander definite information on
which to act immediately. For example, a unit may report there are no
men of military age in a village. This information is of value only if it is
combined with other information to make a composite enemy picture in
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the area. Therefore, a sniper who interprets trail signs and reports that
he is 30 minutes behind a known enemy unit, moving north, and located
at a specific location, gives the commander information on which he can
act at once.
8-7. DOG/HANDLER TRACKING TEAMS
Dog/handler tracking teams are a threat to the sniper team. While small
and lightly armed, they can increase the area that a rear area security unit
can search. Due to the dog/handler tracking team s effectiveness and its
lack of firepower, a sniper team may be tempted to destroy such an
easy target. Whether a sniper should fight or run depends on the
situation and the sniper. Eliminating or injuring the dog/handler
tracking team only confirms that there is a hostile team operating in
the area.
a. When looking for sniper teams, trackers use wood line sweeps and
area searches. A wood line sweep consists of walking the dog upwind of
a suspected wood line or brush line. If the wind is blowing through the
woods and out of the wood line, trackers move 50 to 100 meters inside a
wooded area to sweep the wood s edge. Since wood line sweeps tend to
be less specific, trackers perform them faster. An area search is used when
a team s location is specific such as a small wooded area or block of houses.
The search area is cordoned off, if possible, and the dog/handler tracking
teams are brought on line, about 25 to 150 meters apart, depending on
terrain and visibility. The handler trackers then advance, each moving
their dogs through a specific corridor. The handler tracker controls the
dog entirely with voice commands and gestures. He remains undercover,
directing the dog in a search pattern or to a likely target area. The search
line moves forward with each dog dashing back and forth in
assigned sectors.
b. While dog/handler tracking teams area potent threat, there are
counters available to the sniper team. The beat defenses are basic infantry
techniques: good camouflage and light, noise, and trash discipline.
Dogs find a sniper team either by detecting a trail or by a point source
such as human waste odors at the hide site. It is critical to try to obscure
or limit trails around the hide, especially along the wood line or area
closest to the team s target area. Surveillance targets are usually the
major axis of advance. Trolling the wood lines along likely looking
roads or intersections is a favorite tactic of dog/handler tracking teams.
When moving into a target area, the sniper team should take the
following countermeasures:
(1) Remain as faraway from the target area as the situation allows.
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(2) Never establish a position at the edge of cover and concealment
nearest the target area
(3) Reduce the track. Try to approach the position area on hard, dry
ground or along a stream or river.
(4) Urinate in a hole and cover it up. Never urinate in the same spot.
(5) Bury fecal matter deep. If the duration of the mission permits,
use MRE bags sealed with tape and take it with you.
(6) Never smoke.
(7) Carry all trash until it can be buried elsewhere.
(8) Surround the hide site with a 3-cm to 5-cm band of motor oil to
mask odor; although less effective but easier to carry, garlic may be used.
A dead animal can also be used to mask smell, although it may attract
unwanted canine attention.
c. If a dog/handler tracking team moves into the area, the sniper team
can employ several actions but should first check wind direction
and speed. If the sniper team is downwind of the estimated search area,
the chances are minimal that the team s point smells will probably
be detected. If upwind of the search area, the sniper team should attempt
to move downwind. Terrain and visibility dictate whether the sniper team
can move without being detected visually by the handlers of the
tracking team. Remember, sweeps are not always conducted just outside
of a wood line. Wind direction determines whether the sweep will be
parallel to the outside or 50 to 100 meters inside the wood line.
(1) The sniper team has options if caught inside the search area of a
line search. The handlers rely on radio communications and often do not
have visual contact with each other. If the sniper team has been generally
localized through enemy radio detection-finding equipment, the search
net will still be loose during the initial sweep. A sniper team has a small
chance of hiding and escaping detection in deep brush or in woodpiles.
Larger groups will almost certainly be found. Yet, the sniper team may
have the opportunity to eliminate the handler and to escape the
search net.
(2) The handler hides behind cover with the dog. He searches for
movement and then sends the dog out in a straight line toward the front.
Usually, when the dog has moved about 50 to 75 meters, the handler calls
the dog back. The handier then moves slowly forward and always from
covered position to covered position. Commands are by voice and
gesture with a backup whistle to signal the dog to return. If a handler is
eliminated or badly injured after he has released the dog, but before he
has recalled it, the dog continues to randomly search out and away from
the handler. The dog usually returns to another handler or to his former
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handler s last position within several minutes. This creates a gap from
25 to 150 meters wide in the search pattern. Response times by the other
searchers tend to be fast. Given the high degree of radio communication,
the injured handler will probably be quickly missed from the radio net.
Killing the dog before the handler will probably delay discovery only
by moments. Dogs are so reliable that if the dog does not return
immediately, the handler knows something is wrong.
(3) If the sniper does not have a firearm, one dog can be dealt with
relatively easy if a knife or large club is available. The sniper must keep
low and strike upward using the wrist, never overhand. Dogs are quick
and will try to strike the groin or legs. Most attack dogs are trained to go
for the groin or throat. If alone and faced with two or more dogs, the
sniper should avoid the situation.
Section II
COUNTERTRACKING
If an enemy tracker finds the tracks of two men, this may indicate that a
highly trained team may be operating in the area. However, a knowledge
of countertracking enables the sniper team to survive by remaining
undetected.
8-8. EVASION
Evasion of the tracker or pursuit team is a difficult task that requires the
use of immediate-action drills to counter the threat. A sniper team skilled
in tracking techniques can successfully employ deception drills to lessen
signs that the enemy can use against them. However, it is very difficult
for a person, especially a group, to move across any area without leaving
signs noticeable to the trained eye.
8-9. CAMOUFLAGE
The sniper team may use the most used and the least used routes to cover
its movement. It also loses travel time when trying to camouflage the trail.
a. Most Used Routes. Movement on lightly traveled sandy or soft
trails is easily tracked. However, a sniper may try to confuse the tracker
by moving on hard-surfaced, often-traveled roads or by merging
with civilians. These routes should be carefully examined; if a
well-defined approach leads to the enemy, it will probably be mined,
ambushed, or covered by snipers.
b. Least Used Routes. Least used routes avoid all man-made trails
or roads and confuse the tracker. These routes are normally magnetic
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azimuths between two points. However, the tracker can use the proper
concepts to follow the sniper team if he is experienced and persistent.
c. Reduction of Trail Signs. A sniper who tries to hide his trail
moves at reduced speed; therefore, the experienced tracker gains time.
Common methods to reduce trail signs areas follows:
(1) Wrap footgear with rags or wear soft-soled sneakers, which make
footprints rounded and leas distinctive.
(2) Brush out the trail. This is rarely done without leaving signs.
(3) Change into footgear with a different tread immediately
following a deceptive maneuver.
(4) Walk on hard or rocky ground.
8-10. DECEPTION TECHNIQUES
Evading a skilled and persistent enemy tracker requires skillfully executed
maneuvers to deceive the tracker and to cause him to lose the trail. An enemy
tracker cannot be outrun by a sniper team that is carrying equipment,
because he travels light and is escorted by enemy forces designed
for pursuit. The size of the pursuing force dictates the sniper team s
chances of success in employing ambush-type maneuvers. Sniper teams
use some of the following techniques in immediate-action drills and
deception drills.
a. Backward Walking. One of the basic techniques used is that of
walking backward (Figure 8-6) in tracks already made, and then stepping
off the trail onto terrain or objects that leave little sign. Skillful use of
this maneuver causes the tracker to look in the wrong direction once he
has lost the trail.
b. Large Tree A good deception tactic is to change directions at
large trees (Figure 8-7). To do this, the sniper moves in any given direction
and walks past a large tree (12 inches wide or larger) from 5 to 10 paces.
He carefully walks backward to the forward side of the tree and makes a
90-degree change in the direction of travel, passing the tree on its
forward side. This technique uses the tree as a screen to hide the new trail
from the pursuing tracker.
NOTE: By studying signs, a tracker may determine if an attempt
is being made to confuse him. If the sniper team loses the
tracker by walking backward, footprints will be deepened at the
toe and soil will be scuffed or dragged in the direction of
movement. By following carefully the tracker can normally find
a turnaround point.
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c. Cut the Corner. Cut-the-corner technique is used when
approaching a known road or trail. About 100 meters from the road, the
sniper team changes its direction of movement, either 45 degrees left or right.
Once the road is reached, the sniper team leaves a visible trail in the same
direction of the deception for a short distance on the road. The tracker
should believe that the sniper team cut the corner to save time.
The sniper team backtracks on the trail to the point where it entered the
road, and then it carefully moves on the road without leaving a good trail.
Once the desired distance is achieved, the sniper team changes direction
and continues movement (Figure 8-8).
d. Slip the Stream. The sniper team uses slip-the-stream technique
when approaching a known stream. The sniper team executes this
method the same as the cut the comer technique. The sniper team
establishes the 45-degree deception maneuver upstream, then enters
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the stream. The sniper team moves upstream to prevent floating debris
and silt from compromising its direction of travel, and the sniper team
establishes false trails upstream if time permits. Then, it moves
downstream to escape since creeks and streams gain tributaries that offer
more escape alternatives (Figure 8-9).
e. Arctic Circle. The sniper team uses the arctic circle technique in
snow-covered terrain to escape pursuers or to hide a patrol base.
It establishes a trail in a circle (Figure 8-10, page 8-16) as large as possible.
The trail that starts on a road and returns to the same start point is effective.
At some point along the circular trail, the sniper team removes snowshoes
(if used) and carefully steps off the trail, leaving one set of tracks. The
large tree maneuver can be used to screen the trail. From the hide
position, the sniper team returns over the same steps and carefully fills
them with snow one at a time. This technique is especially effective if it
is snowing.
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f. Fishhook. The sniper team uses the fishhook technique to double
back (Figure 8-11) on its own trail in an overwatch position. The sniper
team can observe the back trail for trackers or ambush pursuers. If the
pursuing force is too large to be destroyed, the sniper team strives to
eliminate the tracker. The sniper team uses the hit-and-run tactics, then
moves to another ambush position. The terrain must be used to advantage.
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