Tracking on dry needles is notoriously difficult! My best advice is to look for "shining"—where the light reflects differently on compressed needles. Also, keep an eye out for snapped twigs or displaced moss on rocks. It takes a lot of mental focus, so I usually need a complete break afterward to clear my head. In my free time, I actually enjoy playing on
https://basswins.co.uk/ because it’s a great way to decompress and have some fun after a long, intense day of stalking through the brush. Sometimes you just need to switch off the "hunter" brain for a bit! Also, try lowering your profile; seeing the ground from a different angle often reveals shadows you’d otherwise miss.