Training Mantracking; David Scott-Donelan at Gunsite

[Mad boomer]

Hello all, I attend training regularly in many different topics in many different places. I just completed a one week tracking course with Mr. David Scott-Donelan hosted at Gunsite. They have him on the schedule 3-4 times a year now. His teaching style is wonderful, fun and extremely engaging. A class act and a throw back to real men. He is a hoot and a 100% for real great guy. I have attended numerous tracking class / courses with many different instructors representing US agencies and private groups. I learned more in this class than all the other combined in a shorter period of time. The course price is extremely reasonable (750.00 for the week). Check the schedule at Gunsite website to get signed up!

Gunsite class dates
Tactical Tracking Level 1

July 24, 2017 - July 28, 2017

October 30, 2017 - November 3, 2017
https://www.gunsite.com/class…/level-1-tactical-mantracking/

To register for this class contact:

The SCOTT DONELAN TRACKING SCHOOL
3044 Player Avenue
Sierra Vista, AZ 85650-6606
United States of America
Cell: 702-498-6765 (24 hours)
Email: mantrack@aol.com
David Scott-Donelan

 

[Teufel]

David Scott Donelan is as legit as they get. He was a Selous Scouts instructor back in the Rhodesia days.

 

[Teufel]

I might have flown in this other master tracker once, ahem @pardus, who took big kiwi sized shits all over the battalion CP in the pursuit of good training.

 

[SpitfireV]

Nobody shits bigger or better than Kiwis. No one.

 

[Gunz]

Ground sign awareness is lacking in infantry units but it shouldn't be. And it shouldn't be exclusively SOF. My team lucked out in having a Navaho who'd tracked and hunted from early childhood. We learned a great deal from him and it paid off operationally. You can't always depend on dog-handler availability or technology to track your enemy.

 

[Ooh-Rah]

My team lucked out in having a Navaho who'd tracked and hunted from early childhood.

Oh course it did. LOL

My god man, write the damn book!

 

[Board and Seize]

I just pinged a bud at Combat Hunter to join the board. I know he'll have quite a bit of good info to add to this discussion.

Edit: Calling @ArtsAndFieldCrafts to the thread once you've made your intro post!

 

[Gunz]

I might have flown in this other master tracker once, ahem @pardus, who took big kiwi sized shits all over the battalion CP in the pursuit of good training.

I would've paid money to see Pardus in action.

 

[Teufel]

I would've paid money to see Pardus in action.

That would have been useful to cover his bail.

 

[Mad boomer]

To all,

Any help and or support you can render to get folks signed up and spread the word on his behalf would be greatly appreciated by him. A fantastic guy with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with all. He needs as much support as possible getting the word out on his new school and class offerings.

David Scott-Donelan

 

[Gunz]

I'd go in a heartbeat if he was closer. Anything for an old Rhodie bushwhacker. I'll pass the word to some young guns I know who'd love to take that level 1 course.

 

[Teufel]

We used to send force recon platoons through his course when I was a platoon commander. It was a different company back then though.

 

[Teufel]

Where is he located now? Arizona still?

 

[pardus]

I might have flown in this other master tracker once, ahem @pardus, who took big kiwi sized shits all over the battalion CP in the pursuit of good training.

Shitting in the name of FREEDOM!!!!

That was a great trip, both of them were, one had less sand and more alcohol, but both were fun times.
I still laugh when I recall you saying "So I asked the BC if you could take a shit in the CP, and he said..."

Where is he located now? Arizona still?

When last I spoke with him yes.

 

[Teufel]

The best part was you told him that no one would catch you doing if. Guaranteed.

 

[pardus]

 

[ArtsAndFieldCrafts]

DSD wrote the book (or at least re-wrote) for tactical tracking here in the United States. There used to be a strong tracking presence in the USA and USMC in the Vietnam days, but it was deemed irrelevant in the low intensity conflicts and mechanized warfare of the 90's. It's scary how fast entire skill sets atrophy or all out disappear without careful attention. It should be noted however that DSD has created a compact and well framed POI to produce a quick product. You will come out of his training with a good start, but by no means a real tracker. It takes dirt time and tons of prototypical match memory to be a reliable tracker. You only get those things from being exposed to several tracking baselines in a variety of conditions. DSD didn't become the master tracker he is in a week of training.

 

[Board and Seize]

@ArtsAndFieldCrafts

What can you share with us about the current revitalization going on at the school house? I know we've got folks on the board who would potentially be interested in sending guys to an in-house school, and it'd be great to see a rough sketch of what you guys are doing to keep this skill set alive, and even thrive.

 

[ArtsAndFieldCrafts]

The current curriculum for our most in depth course runs three weeks with five days dedicated to tactical tracking, which is based entirely on the DSD model. We send folks out to other venues to get exposure to a myriad of methods. We have sent folks to train with anti-poachers, boarder patrol, other military trackers with real world experience, etc. There are rumblings right now about creating a more advanced course so that we can bring students to the next level. We are also working with the Army ASAT cadre in hopes that the Army will begin to invest more into tracking as well.

Tracking is all about having the implicit memory of what various spoor looks like in different substrates. We are starting to focus on creating more spoor than just an instructor walking through an area. We are incorporating enemy tactics and equipment into the mix so that students can leave with good visual memories of relevance to current theaters. The nice thing is it's a lot cheaper than contracting an outside company to provide the same training. For a beginner, you don't need DSD. He is worth the money if you already know your basics and need a world class tracker to put some polish on your skill set. I would recommend units send their guys to combat hunter, then hire DSD to get them to the next level. You wouldn't pay a NASCAR driver to teach someone getting their drivers permit.

 

[Mad boomer]

Yesterday he finished another 5 day course at Gunsite again. He will be returning, he will be doing a class every 4-6 months at this location.