Interesting thread, and some very good information here. You all have me thinking: I usually hunt solo in the back country, so I usually can't just whistle up some friends to help, and the weather is so squirrely in the mountains that calling off the hunt every time it clouds up isn't an option. Hard rains are fairly uncommon, though; Usually just drizzle.
I'm going to look into that Practical Tracking book, and start working more on my tracking skills while I'm wandering around the hills. It's been a long time since I've deliberately worked on that. But from past experience, I know that working on such things increases one's awareness of surroundings, and that makes us both better hunters and better people.
Thanks, everybody. T