Preview – SHTF – Hunting Humans

Photography by Quoc Ha

Knowing How to Track Can Mean the Difference Between Being Predator or Being Prey

Back in the days when the slow food movement meant clobbering a mammoth to death, humans were more attuned to the signs their prey left behind. These days, thanks to Hollywood, tracking is regarded as something that sits between voodoo and snake charming in the pantheon of “stuff you can’t do with an iPhone.”

Fortunately, the fundamentals of chasing animals or humans based on the tracks they produce are both timeless and, due to the way our brains evolved to interpret the world, easy to reacquire. Well, perhaps easy is the wrong phrase. Tracking, like shooting, is one of those skills that takes five minutes to explain, but a lifetime to master.

One of those masters is Freddy Osuna. A former Marine scout sniper with several combat tours under his belt, Osuna founded Greenside Training in order to teach the art and science of tracking. We attended one of his courses held in the desert and, after three days, were able to hunt down a fugitive over a mile of boulder-strewn wash, hardpan, brush, and baked dirt roads. If we could do it, so can you.

The Objectives
Why track? Any number of reasons. Firstly, because it’s a skill that almost no one in this technology-centric, convenience-oriented world practices, the ability to hunt down a potential adversary if society goes to hell in a hand-basket puts you at an immediate advantage.

Second, if you know what to look for if you have to hunt someone, should the tables be turned, you’ll know what to do to avoid being hunted yourself. Many of Osuna’s clients are fellow snipers who use this knowledge to improve their own field craft and chances of survival.

And if the aforementioned hell-in-a-hand-basket scenario comes to pass, you’ll be able to use the same skills to hunt wild game once your food supplies need to be replenished.

For the rest of this article, subscribe digitally here: RECOIL Issue 9

Why you can trust RECOIL

---

Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. 

Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. 

At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. 

Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products.

NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOIL

For years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included).

Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.

You want this. Trust Us.