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Perry McGee (born November 11, 1960) is the founder of the National Tracking School and is well known worldwide for his tracking and survival skills. UK born, he has written numerous books, lectures at shows and universities and has worked as a professional tracking adviser and survival expert for BBC, Sky and other media companies. Perry proudly carries the legacy of his legendary father Eddie “Tracker McGee”. Known by many in the survival industry as the “master” and nicknamed “Jungle Eddie”. The late Eddie McGee, former UK Army paratrooper and senior physical training instructor and army survival expert, is now recognised as one of the founders of the Survival and Bushcraft industry and held the honorary title of “Queens’s Tracker”. Involved in all aspects of survival, Eddie took part in many expeditions and military adventures and was successful in many high profile tracking incidents throughout the world. His legendary first book “No need to die”, considered the “Bible for Survival”, still exists, and has led many to follow his lead.

Perry, from an early age, was fortunate to literally follow in his father’s steps, and was able to take part in many survival and tracking courses worldwide. Whilst learning from his legendary father, Perry went onto to have a successful career in law enforcement, integrating his unique Survival and Tracking Skills with criminal investigation. Commended by the authorities on many occasions, Perry although modest, has now amassed an incredible 40 year’s experience, and has been involved in many high profile investigations worldwide. As a consequence he is now in demand as an adviser, showing to all his unique talents and the ancient arts of tracking. Perry has also designed an entire range of tracking survival training aids and equipment which are presently being developed and tested by specialist tracking and search and rescue units throughout the world. These innovative products include the impressive pro-tracker tool and pathfinder range which are already in demand.

National Tracking School History
Perry McGee's National Tracking School is based in the UK and offers Tracking and Survival courses in the UK and Internationally.

The National Tracking School takes its name from the original tracking and survival school founded by Perry’s father, the legendary Eddie McGee. Eddie was recognised as one of the world’s leading authorities on survival and tracking and is considered by many to be the one of the fore fathers of the industry.

A former British paratrooper, diver and physical training instructor, Eddie was a career soldier and ran British Army survival courses before establishing the successful National Tracking and Survival school in North Yorkshire.

During his Army career, Eddie was involved in expeditionary and survival training deployments throughout the world and until his untimely death in 2002, was still in great demand. Latterly, Eddie took part as an active member of specialist survival and adventure training, including many expeditions such as the Zaire River Expedition led by the legendary explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE MBE DSc(Hons) DEng(hc) FRSGS. Eddie also undertook solo trips across deserts and jungle terrain, enhancing his skills and returning to pass his knowledge to others, including his son, Perry, who worked with him at the tracking and survival school.

Eddie’s travels, lectures, courses and unique personality soon interested the media, and long before more current survival programmes, Eddie was involved in several television programmes and appearances including, Stay Alive with Eddie McGee, Stay Safe and Fighting Back. The former was first transmitted in 1979 when a group of children aged 11 – 16 years experienced the fascinating world of survival training. These programmes, and others, are presently being prepared by the National Tracking School for re-release soon.

Throughout a distinguished tracking and survival career, Eddie received many awards and commendations and in 1982 he received an award for tracking down triple killer Barry Peter Edwards Prudham. Edwards was eventually tracked by Eddie having left a trail of violent murder in what was the biggest ever man hunt in British history. The event has been the subject of various television programmes and documentaries.

It is no surprise that from a very early age, Perry began to follow in his father’s footsteps and tracking and survival became a way of life. Over his formative years, Perry went on nearly every survival course and events held by his father and rapidly picked up and zoned in on his skills. Leaving home at 16 years, Perry joined the Metropolitan Police as a cadet and began a 32 year career in specialised criminal investigation, utilising his survival and tracking skills and throughout his time with the police, his unique talents were used in all aspects of criminal investigation as well as property and animal welfare protection. Perry also assisted his father with the running and delivery of courses and events. He has incorporated his talent and ability in tracking and survival into his Tracking and Survival School, including his unique experience in urban and rural tracking skills, which draw on his police background as a detective.

Eddie McGee was also involved in charitable work and organised many trips overseas for children with disabilities. Operation Crocodile allowed selected children and their carers to visit faraway places such as Kenya and Morocco. The National Tracking School continues this work and is presently organising and fund raising for another such trip, this time named The Ships of the Desert which will allow children to take part in a series of weekend tracking and survival exercises and, after passing selection, they will be flown to Central Australia where they will cross a desert and a series of billabongs on camel back whilst living and ‘surviving’ in the outdoors ably assisted by Perry and a very experienced, enthusiastic team.

Those that know Perry know that he is passionate about all aspects of tracking and survival and believes it is a vital skill set for both professional organisations and the general public.

Books
Perry McGee is author of the Tracking Handbook and further publications on the subject of Survival and Tracking include the Advanced Tracking Handbook. Perry has spent the last 5 years updating, enhancing and researching additions to one of his father’s famous survival books, No Need To Die. He has drawn on his knowledge and experience from 30 years in the police force, including many years involved in surveillance. He frequently put his tracking skills to use in police work with great success and he has been able to add a unique perspective to his books. His new publications will feature additional content covering current survival and tracking methods. The books have been designed as a ready reference to save lives and are a must for anyone with an interest in the outdoors, from the occasional camper to the serious survivor/tracker.