Just an update from our little night adventure last night...
We arrived at the area around 9 p.m. It had been raining off and on all day and had continued into the evening.
The hardest part about squatching in the rain is that the rain on the leaves and on the forest floor creates a lot of noise, parabolic mics and audio recorders are pretty much useless.
We proceeded to cook bacon and kielbasa on the grill. Got a nice smoky aroma sent out into the woods.
Usually by now the raccoons are creeping around the treeline, but not so much tonight. I had thrown crab legs (my leftovers from dinner) into the woods just past the treeline.
I suggested that bob and Jerry head up for a night hike while I sit at the pavilion listening.
About a minute after they headed into the woods, the skies let loose with a torrential downpour!
I screamed "I'm Sorry!" into the woods. About a minute later I see the 2 beams from their flashlights approaching at a rapid pace. I couldn't help but laugh!
We sat out for about 3.5 hours. We didn't see or hear anything. I thought I heard a distant howl, but with the rain and wind, it could have been an owl or a dog.
As always, it was good to sit out in the woods in the hopes of seeing our resident squatches.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wildlife researcher brings Bigfoot legend to life at library
October 22, 2009
BY JEFF MANES, POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT
Most folks would skedaddle if they were in a secluded forest and came face-to-face with a very hairy biped standing 8 feet tall and weighing a quarter-ton.
Especially if the creature, with long arms akimbo and angry eyes aglow, unleashed a scream that would make a banshee blanch.
Larry Battson would die for such a close encounter. He has researched and pursued Bigfoot for more than 25 years.
Battson, 57, lives in Putnam County. He's a licensed wildlife educator by trade. In 1979, he founded Wildlife Services Inc., a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to using rescued wild animals to educate the public.
But it was the legendary primate, also known as Sasquatch, Yeti and the Abominable Snowman, he recently discussed at the Lowell Public Library.
There were no empty seats in the library's program room.
"In 1983, I was contacted about displaying an innovative exhibit for an outdoor show in Cleveland," Battson said. "At that time, I was a skeptic, but I said, 'What about Bigfoot?' "
Battson's skepticism soon faded.
"The more I researched Bigfoot, the more I began to believe."
Books about Bigfoot were displayed at the library, including what is considered the bible on the subject, "Sasquatch: The Apes Among Us" by John Green.
Also on hand were posters, a footprint cast, recordings of hideous woodland noises and, of course, the famous 30 seconds of 16-millimeter film shot by Roger Patterson in 1967 of a female Bigfoot in Bluff Creek, Calif.
But it might have been Battson's retelling of anecdotes from eyewitnesses that captivated his audience most.
He spoke of a person who claimed Bigfoot had learned to imitate his voice and would call his Rottweiler by name in an attempt to lure the canine into the woods.
June 9, 2009, was a momentous day regarding Bigfoot.
"I was asked to share my years of research and documentation at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va.," Battson said. "That was a groundbreaking event, because Fish and Wildlife employees weren't allowed to utter the word 'Bigfoot' before that."
When nonbelievers ask why Bigfoot hasn't been captured after all these years, Battson says: "Anthropologists know there are tribes in New Guinea that exist. But those people don't want to be found."
Battson said Bigfoot has been sighted in every state but Rhode Island and Hawaii.
A woman from Dyer, wishing to be known only as Margo, slowly raised her hand.
"About four years ago, I was driving on Indiana 35, just north of Indiana 10 in Starke County," she said. "It was nighttime. I was heading north when something came out of a swampy area from the west. It was huge and walked across the road on two feet.
"I stopped the car in disbelief. I was shaking so badly that my daughter had to drive the rest of the way. I don't know what it was. That's why I'm here tonight."
BY JEFF MANES, POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT
Most folks would skedaddle if they were in a secluded forest and came face-to-face with a very hairy biped standing 8 feet tall and weighing a quarter-ton.
Especially if the creature, with long arms akimbo and angry eyes aglow, unleashed a scream that would make a banshee blanch.
Larry Battson would die for such a close encounter. He has researched and pursued Bigfoot for more than 25 years.
Battson, 57, lives in Putnam County. He's a licensed wildlife educator by trade. In 1979, he founded Wildlife Services Inc., a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to using rescued wild animals to educate the public.
But it was the legendary primate, also known as Sasquatch, Yeti and the Abominable Snowman, he recently discussed at the Lowell Public Library.
There were no empty seats in the library's program room.
"In 1983, I was contacted about displaying an innovative exhibit for an outdoor show in Cleveland," Battson said. "At that time, I was a skeptic, but I said, 'What about Bigfoot?' "
Battson's skepticism soon faded.
"The more I researched Bigfoot, the more I began to believe."
Books about Bigfoot were displayed at the library, including what is considered the bible on the subject, "Sasquatch: The Apes Among Us" by John Green.
Also on hand were posters, a footprint cast, recordings of hideous woodland noises and, of course, the famous 30 seconds of 16-millimeter film shot by Roger Patterson in 1967 of a female Bigfoot in Bluff Creek, Calif.
But it might have been Battson's retelling of anecdotes from eyewitnesses that captivated his audience most.
He spoke of a person who claimed Bigfoot had learned to imitate his voice and would call his Rottweiler by name in an attempt to lure the canine into the woods.
June 9, 2009, was a momentous day regarding Bigfoot.
"I was asked to share my years of research and documentation at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va.," Battson said. "That was a groundbreaking event, because Fish and Wildlife employees weren't allowed to utter the word 'Bigfoot' before that."
When nonbelievers ask why Bigfoot hasn't been captured after all these years, Battson says: "Anthropologists know there are tribes in New Guinea that exist. But those people don't want to be found."
Battson said Bigfoot has been sighted in every state but Rhode Island and Hawaii.
A woman from Dyer, wishing to be known only as Margo, slowly raised her hand.
"About four years ago, I was driving on Indiana 35, just north of Indiana 10 in Starke County," she said. "It was nighttime. I was heading north when something came out of a swampy area from the west. It was huge and walked across the road on two feet.
"I stopped the car in disbelief. I was shaking so badly that my daughter had to drive the rest of the way. I don't know what it was. That's why I'm here tonight."
A Must Read
Recently, it has become disturbingly obvious that some people who have been in this area of research for many, many years, have not read a single book by any author, be it scientist, biologist, naturalist, primate anthropologist, etc.
There are people who call themselves researchers, simply because they had a sighting 20+ years ago, yet have not continued their education on the subject by opening their minds and ears to listen to other researchers and experts in the field!
I have said this often and I will say it again: having a bigfoot sighting does not make you an expert or authority on the creature. You have no idea what it was doing 5 minutes before you saw it or 5 minutes after.
But you will go on to tell your story over and over. You will be asked to speak at meetings and conventions. You will be asked your "expert" opinion.
I believe a true researcher is one whose mind and ears are open. Read as many books as you can. Listen to as many people as you can. Eventually the pieces will fall into place. Keep researching your areas for repetitive patterns or occurrences.
Begin with Dr. Jeff Meldrum's book, Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science
Visit websites of others, such as Bill Munns
The new generation of squatchers will be learning from us, and if you are stuck in 1985, then they don't stand a chance.
There are people who call themselves researchers, simply because they had a sighting 20+ years ago, yet have not continued their education on the subject by opening their minds and ears to listen to other researchers and experts in the field!
I have said this often and I will say it again: having a bigfoot sighting does not make you an expert or authority on the creature. You have no idea what it was doing 5 minutes before you saw it or 5 minutes after.
But you will go on to tell your story over and over. You will be asked to speak at meetings and conventions. You will be asked your "expert" opinion.
I believe a true researcher is one whose mind and ears are open. Read as many books as you can. Listen to as many people as you can. Eventually the pieces will fall into place. Keep researching your areas for repetitive patterns or occurrences.
Begin with Dr. Jeff Meldrum's book, Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science
Visit websites of others, such as Bill Munns
The new generation of squatchers will be learning from us, and if you are stuck in 1985, then they don't stand a chance.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bigfoot Discovery Days III
Saturday morning we headed out to the Windjammer bar to watch some Texas/OU football.
As soon as the game ended we headed to the Bigfoot Discovery Museum where everyone was eating lunch of burgers and hot dogs.
I met several BFRO members, and I lived! Not sure why the BFRO gets such a bad reputation! So far every BFRO member I have met has been normal, sane, fun, polite. I am blessed to have met so many nice people this past year.
Ok, so after touring the museum, we headed to the Felton Community Center where the presentations were being held.
Bob Strain introduced Kathy Strain who always gives an enlightening presentation on the native American Indian/Sasquatch relationship.
Bill Munns gave his presentation about the P/G film and the difficulty of making a costume, in 1967, that would have fooled us all this long!
Ron Morehead and Scott Nelson, individually spoke about the Sierra Sounds.
Scott told us how to walk into the forest and say a word that will bring bigfoot running!
Finally,the most difficult presentation to sit through was that of David Paulides.
Now, I am pretty new to this world of bigfoot research, 6 years. I have not had time to read every book written on bigfoots because almost EVERYONE has written a book.
So, I had no idea who this Paulides guy was, but I guess I should have! In his words, he is the best researcher. His organization is the best. He doesn't consider individual people researchers. He insulted Michael Rugg, the host of the event, by telling Mike that he was not a researcher, but just a museum curator.
He then went on to talk about what a bad rap he gets, and how no other organizations will step forward to work with him. Gee, I wonder why? This guy had no shortage of arrogance!
I felt really badly for Mike Rugg. He has dedicated his life to bigfoot research and to be insulted at his own event that Paulides was invited to, was so disrespectful.
Well after a long day of presentations, we headed back to the cabins for a campfire. Of course Yams's guitar was there and before long Ron Morehead, Scott Nelson and Tom Yamarone were entertaining us with music till the wee hours of the morning...
Another California trip that ended with much success. I am so grateful to have been where I have been, and to met whom I have met.
From coast to coast there are so many people out looking for bigfoot evidence, and we do need to communicate and share information with each other, whether you are an individual researcher or an organization of any size, you all are making a difference!
Ok, enough Kumbaya...this Friday night I will be heading out with Bob/Lowrider, Jerry and some other new researchers for some night squatching in north east Ohio.
Will keep you updated!
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