{"id":30737,"date":"2025-01-14T09:30:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T13:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=30737"},"modified":"2025-02-12T17:19:10","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T21:19:10","slug":"january-is-a-good-month-for-wildlife-tracks-wild-bulletin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/january-is-a-good-month-for-wildlife-tracks-wild-bulletin\/","title":{"rendered":"January is a Good Month for Wildlife Tracks &#8211; Wild Bulletin"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/fish-and-wildlife\/about-us\/email-newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Wild Bulletin<\/u><\/a>, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish and Wildlife: <\/em><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Snow blanketing the ground creates a canvas for spotting wildlife tracks. Here are some tips for exploring snow-covered trails or your own backyard to reveal a whole world of activity you might otherwise miss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Tips and Tricks:<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_30805\" style=\"width: 351px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/picture1_crop.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-0\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30805\" class=\"wp-image-30805\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/picture1_crop-500x279.jpg\" alt=\"Paw prints \/ animal prints in the snow\" width=\"341\" height=\"190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/picture1_crop-500x279.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/picture1_crop-250x139.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/picture1_crop.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-30805\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by: Indiana Department of Natural Resources<\/p><\/div>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Look near water sources, tree lines, or feeding spots where animals are more likely to gather.<\/li>\n<li>Find an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/elkhartcountyparks.org\/wildlife-tracks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-auth=\"Verified\" data-linkindex=\"20\">Indiana wildlife track identification book<\/a>\u00a0or website to help you identify the animal you are tracking. Some animal tracks are more common to spot in Indiana, and here are some examples:\n<ul type=\"circle\">\n<li>Deer: Heart-shaped hooves, often in pairs.<\/li>\n<li>Rabbits: A hopping pattern with large back feet and small front feet.<\/li>\n<li>Foxes and Coyotes: Oval-shaped paw prints with claw marks visible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Bring tools like a small ruler or notebook. This will help you record measurements for identification. Snapping a photo is also helpful for identifying the track later on!<\/li>\n<li>Follow the tracks. Tracks often lead to other signs, like nests, scat, or feeding areas. Stay quiet and watch\u2014you might even spot the animal itself!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Are you ready to track wildlife and connect with the creatures around you? Bundle up, head out, and see what stories the snow has to tell!<\/p>\n<p>For more information, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/fish-and-wildlife\/nongame-and-endangered-wildlife\/mammals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DNR Rare and Endangered Mammals page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/fish-and-wildlife\/about-us\/email-newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe to Wild Bulletin<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Resources:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a title=\"ID That Tree Youtube Channel Playlist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLgoGnq-fak7V9w3jf2Sj_6-pNaw4sX4Ga\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ID That Tree<\/a>, Playlist, Purdue Extension \u2013 Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLgoGnq-fak7VPjD7DpNPWCoNrhCdBFUIt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Invasive Species Playlist<\/a>, Playlist, Purdue Extension &#8211; FNR YouTube Channel (Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Burning Bush, Callery Pear, Multiflora rose)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/reportinvasive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Report Invasive<\/a>, Purdue Extension<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/virtual-tour-brings-forest-management-for-birds-to-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forestry for the Birds Virtual Tour and Pocket Guide<\/a>, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension &#8211; FNR<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/injured-wildlife-and-what-to-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Injured Wildlife and What to Do<\/a>, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension &#8211; FNR<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WKlg-MFK5D4&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fedustore.purdue.edu%2F&amp;source_ve_path=MjM4NTE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Frost Seeding to Establish Wildlife Food Plots and Native Grass and Forb Plantings<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 The Education Store, Purdue Extension\u2019s resource center<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/JXo8ExLIza8?si=y4UA6zLWnziE-nap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wildlife Habitat Hint: Tips for Evaluating a First Year Native Grass and Forb Plantings<\/a>, Purdue Extension \u2013 FNR YouTube Channel<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/1E0tPlRgnec\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drone Seeding Native Grasses and Forbs: Project Overview &amp; Drone Setup<\/a>, Purdue Extension \u2013 FNR YouTube channel<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/edustore.purdue.edu\/item.asp?Item_Number=FNR-IDNR-414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forest Improvement Handbook,<\/a>\u00a0The Education Store<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/edustore.purdue.edu\/fnr-480-w.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forest Management for Reptiles and Amphibians: A Technical Guide for the Midwest<\/a>, The Education Store<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/f9YivvolkYQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ask the Expert: Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment \u2013 Birds and Salamander Research<\/a>, Purdue Extension \u2013 FNR<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/a-template-for-your-wildlife-habitat-management-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Template for Your Wildlife Habitat Management Plan<\/a>, The Education Store<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/edustore.purdue.edu\/fnr-596-w.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer<\/a>, The Education Store<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLgoGnq-fak7XgiEFkpuQNAFa0rM4elCis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Woodland Stewardship for Landowners<\/a>, Playlist, Purdue Extension \u2013 FNR YouTube channel<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/edustore.purdue.edu\/fnr-417-w.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nature of Teaching Unit 1: Animal Diversity and Tracking<\/a>, The Education Store<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@purduefnrextension\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe Purdue Extension \u2013 Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel<\/a>, Playlists include wildlife, Nature of Teaching, Moments in the Wild and much more.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Indiana Department of Natural Resources\" href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/fish-and-wildlife\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Department of Natural Resources &#8211; Division of Fish &amp; Wildlife<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wild Bulletin, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish and Wildlife: Snow blanketing the ground creates a canvas for spotting wildlife tracks. Here are some tips for exploring snow-covered trails or your own backyard to reveal a whole world of activity you might otherwise miss. Tips and Tricks: Look near water sources, tree lines, or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53,54],"tags":[1375,1603,176,1489,883,72,637,495],"class_list":["post-30737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-urbanforestry","category-wildlife","tag-animal-tracking","tag-animals","tag-deer","tag-rabbits","tag-wild-bulletin","tag-wildlife","tag-winter","tag-woodlands","audience-for-enthusiasts","audience-for-homeowners","audience-for-landowners","audience-for-professionals"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-21 02:50:32","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30737"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31783,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30737\/revisions\/31783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}