Los Padres CA Specialist Certification 4/19/2026

On April 18-19, 2026, the Ventura County Wildlife Trackers hosted a Track and Sign Specialist Certification in the Los Padres National Forest in California. At Specialist Certifications, participants have to answer 57 very difficult questions over 2 days. Two evaluators (1 local and 1 external) are present at Specialist Certifications to ensure reliability and consistency. Casey McFarland served as external evaluator.

Some of our favorite finds of the weekend include tracks from a spotted skunk (first in our memory from this location), mole, pocket gopher, mountain lion, and a very large black bear. See the photos below.

Congratulations to Ira Christian, Paul Houghtaling, Rachael Pelham, Melinda Benton, and Sara Lamar for earning their Specialist certifications! Congratulations also to the rest of our participants, many of whom came within one question.

Huge thanks to Wyatt Harris for organizing and clapboarding and Bob Ollerton for assisting.