Awakening from slumber, hearty Northwest Montana souls were greeted by a steady, slow snowfall that brought a peaceful quiet inside and out. Woodland shrubs stooped over with cottonlike clumps, testing their strength and flexibility. This, the first real snowfall of the season, was accompanied by an ancient arousal, felt a bit more by some of us than others. Snow brings smiles to many Big Sky Country residents. Their eyes sparkle, inspired to get gear together, to get out there!

Thousands of years ago, the primordial skills of the tracker, utilized year-round, were practiced and perfected for hunting, gathering and defense. It would not be too far of a stretch to say the art of tracking, trailing and reading sign probably made a big difference as to who survived, and who did not. The genes passed were more than likely those from good trackers and skilled hunters. We are, in essence, upright homo sapiens involved in the same selective adaptation and learned skills transfer process as the rest of the creatures of Earth. We should not forget that. Please don’t.

In the last decade or so, the emergence of tracking as an outdoor winter hobby has increased dramatically. The diminishing economy spurs the innovative to come up with interesting themes to play in our backyards, saving money and increasing our enjoyment of the beauty of the Rockies.

A pleasant addition to the tracking groups is the increasing percentage of outdoorswomen. It’s an outing a family can do together. Pack cookies, a lunch and a thermos of hot chocolate. Make a fire. Couples meet other couples with common interests. Single folks meet other folks and become trail pals. It’s an activity that can accommodate any age group. In fact, the slower your pace, the more you see.

Groups of friends really seem to enjoy the trips. They crack up at one another, but they also share the humility that Mother Nature teaches, help one another learn and make plans for future outings. They learn respect for one another, for the animals and birds that can survive the winters and for the spirit of nature — you can tell by the whispering and eye shine.

Mode of travel can be by pack boots, snowshoes, cross-country skis, snowmobiles or four-wheel drive vehicles. Interestingly enough, the term “skis” comes from the Norwegian for “on skith,” or stick of wood.

Here’s the layout to help the beginner. Get yourself a pair of snowshoes. They range from about $130 to $330 for a decent pair that will last. The new high-tech materials are hard to beat, and my preference is the “V” tail style for getting through and turning around in the brush. A pair of ski poles can help in the deep snow, crossing creeks and saving energy.

Pick up a good pocket field guide, and stick it in a plastic baggie. One of the best is Jim Halfpenny’s “Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains.” Not just because he is my buddy and mentor, but because he’s got it all covered. You see, it is not about the tracks, it’s about the tracking. More on that in a moment.

The novice tracker would be well invested to take a class on animal tracking and sign interpretation. It will give you a jump start into the world of the art of tracking.

But there is no substitute for experience. Dress in layers for diverse weather, snow conditions and exertion. Make no mistake, my friends, snowshoeing is hard work.

Now pick up a carpenter’s tape for measurements; grab your binoculars, camera, hat and gloves; and you’re good to go.

Of course, as anytime in the woods, it is a smart move to bring a topographic map, aerial photo, compass and GPS, and know how to use them. Bring a pocket first-aid kit, too, just in case.

Our home ground is truly an amazing place. The diversity of flora and fauna is unbeatable. Speaking for myself, the more I learn, the more I realize how much I have to learn. An “average” day reveals treasures.

Here are a few finds from above average days that we have made to tempt your palate:

v Field mice eating woolly mullein

v Ermine chasing a pine squirrel

v A pine marten killed by owl

v Warm spell black bear tracks

v Early season grizzly tracks

v Great blue heron fishing tracks

v Bobcat hunting grouse

v Mink family hunting behavior

v A mink catching and eating a fish adjacent to a beaver dam — a recent special treat.

There are more, but alas, I do not want to inflate your expectations too much. Treasure of course, varies in the eyes of the treasure hunter.

In tracking, the hunt is more important than the treasure. The true tracker is relentless and utilizes all powers of observational skills. We learn where to look, how to look. We listen, really listen. We open our noses and watch the wind. We move slowly, carefully and respectfully. We remain quiet. We feel the ancient arousal. We are in tracking mode. We watch the sky.

We are not an observer, but become a part of all that surrounds us. IT reconnects us. Brings us back to reality in a crazy world that has gone off-kilter. It is what each of us believes it is and can bring peace and tranquility to our souls.