Squatch Report

This morning I met Bob aka Lowrider at our research area for a fun-filled day of hiking and squatching.  We went to the bait station which is located by the tepee structure Bob discovered in 2008.  In the past 2 years, the structure has deteriorated to a mere pile of sticks, a wee notion of what was once a glorious masterpiece.  The condition of the tepee structure leads us to believe that it had to be a new creation when Bob discovered it.

Bob has developed a baiting technique that we have used effectively for 2 years.  He has a long rope, a carbiner and zippered, nylon, mesh bag.  Bob attaches the bag to the carbiner, then fills the bag with either apples, pears, carrots, potatoes or whatever fruit or vegetable is in season.  He then hoists the bag 8 feet into the air in the tree and secures the rope to the tree.

The bait is almost always taken within a week without the bag having been chewed through or torn.  We did experiment with a trail cam, only to have all activity cease.  The bait was left to rot in the tree.  We removed the camera and the activity slowly resumed.  Wild!

We then made our way across the river only to discover that the area was so overgrown and not much fun to hike.  We did get to utilize my brand new machete and worked up quite the sweat! We did find a very large canine print and deduced that it must either be a coyote or wolf.  However, we never get to see any animals on our hikes besides birds, toads, mosquitoes and trout. :(
We headed back to our cars and left the area to check out a mountain bike trail that has a very "squatchy" appeal.

Along the trail were many interesting tree formations, breaks and arches. I found 2 young saplings that were growing in a bent formation which could very well grow into a natural tree arch when the tree matures.  This should be considered when discussing tree arching.

All in all it was an amazing day in the woods, and there is no place I'd rather be! There is something magical and therapeutic about being in the forest.

Next weekend I will be traveling to southern Ohio to interview a woman who claims to have a habituation situation taking place on her property. To be continued indeedy!  Have a great week!

Goodbye to the Bigfoot Forums! :(

This just in from Bipto (Brian Brown)

As you all know, the BFF has been damaged recently. The damage was done by a malicious script running on an admin's computer without their knowledge. I have no idea how the script did its damage, but it does not appear as though it can be fixed.

Also, as you all know, I have recently "returned" to the forum. This was a mistake. I wasn't happy with what had happened to the forum's reputation and thought I had a solution that would have put the site on a firm footing for the future. That may all still happen, but I don't know when. Bottom line is my personal and professional obligations do not, at this time, allow me to give this site the attention it requires. Also, I have no idea to whom I can give the forum. Honestly, I don't know if I *want* to give the forum to anyone. The fate of the BFF is tied to me in a way it isn't with anyone else.

I have come to the difficult conclusion that best course of action for me to take is to put the forum on a hiatus during which no posting will be allowed. For all intents and purposes, the BFF is closed until further notice. I will leave the site up as long as I am able. All the content will be visible, but posting and new registration will be suspended. There was a time when the BFF was necessary. I believe that time has passed.

When a redwood tree falls, thousands of little ones sprout on its stump to take its place. It's time for whatever comes after the BFF to sprout.

-First the TBRC implodes, then the BFF shuts down!!!! Don't worry folks, I will always be here for all of your Bigfoot news and needs!

Come Out Come Out Wherever You Are!

A southeast Ohio conservation center will use $400,000 in grant money to convert acres of abandoned mines into thriving prairies in an effort to utilize agricultural technology outside of mainstream practices.

The Wilds, located in Cumberland, Ohio  is an area of land that was originally conceived as a private-public partnership involving the Ohio Departments of Natural Resources and Development, the Ohio zoological parks, and the private sector.  The Wilds was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit under the name The International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals, Inc. (ICPWA).

In 1986 - ICPWA received a gift of 9,154 acres of land from the Central Ohio Coal Company, a subsidiary of American Electric Power Company. The next few years were spent planning the development of the site, enlisting fundraising support from both the private and public sectors, and building a staff.

 The Mission statement of The Wilds is "To advance conservation through science, education and personal experience."

Perhaps the project will force Sasquatch that may inhabit the mines out into the open.  Salt Fork State Park is to the northeast of Cumberland.  Could this be a habitat for Sasquatches?

Ohio researchers might want to pay close attention to this area in the near future for an increase of sightings and activity.