Eric Altman and several of his group members and independent researchers were out squatching this weekend, in the cold and rain as we had here in Northeastern Ohio.
They did not have any activity as far as sounds or rocks being thrown, as has happened previously, however, they did find a very human-like track and found several trees with their tops twisted and bent.
Hopefully Eric will send me the pics to post here.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Squatching
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.
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.
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!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Arrived at Felton
I left Cleveland at 4 a.m. and it was 34 degrees!
I arrived at the San Jose airport and it is a balmy 75 degrees! It is great to be in California!
Went to Don Quixote's for some lunch and arrived at the Fern River cabins.
Just waiting for other people to show up now!
Walked down to the river, took some pics...I hear we are going to watch the Texas vs. Oklahoma game tomorrow at 9 a.m., then onto the Bigfoot Discovery Museum!
Will update tomorrow!
I arrived at the San Jose airport and it is a balmy 75 degrees! It is great to be in California!
Went to Don Quixote's for some lunch and arrived at the Fern River cabins.
Just waiting for other people to show up now!Walked down to the river, took some pics...I hear we are going to watch the Texas vs. Oklahoma game tomorrow at 9 a.m., then onto the Bigfoot Discovery Museum!
Will update tomorrow!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
New Logo
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Congratulations and many thanks to MonsterMark who created my new logo! The design has been accepted by myself and the board of directors of The Bigfoot Field Reporter.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Bigfoot Field Reporter
I am proud to announce that my vision is slowly becoming a reality.
I have established The Bigfoot Field Reporter as a non-profit corporation in the State of Ohio.
I will soon file the necessary tax papers to be granted non-profit status with the IRS and will begin fund raising to purchase equipment and supplies to promote bigfoot research across the United States!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Upcoming Events
Bigfoot Discovery Days
Last year's event sold out... please order your ticket early:
Reserved tickets: $25 ($22 museum members) would guarantee you a seat up front(1st 3 rows)
General Admission: $15 ($12 museum members, seniors and students)Seniors (62 & over)
Children (12 & under) $5
The barbeque is an optional expense, payable at the museum when you get your food.
Payment can be made by check payable to "CapriTaurus" and mailed to:
Bigfoot Discovery Museum
CapriTaurus
P.O. Box 153
Felton, CA 95018
Paypal is an option as well, payable to mikerugg@sbcglobal.net
Last year's event sold out... please order your ticket early:
Reserved tickets: $25 ($22 museum members) would guarantee you a seat up front(1st 3 rows)
General Admission: $15 ($12 museum members, seniors and students)Seniors (62 & over)
Children (12 & under) $5
The barbecue is an optional expense, payable at the museum when you get your food.
Payment can be made by check payable to "CapriTaurus" and mailed to:
Bigfoot Discovery Museum
CapriTaurus
P.O. Box 153
Felton, CA 95018
Paypal is an option as well, payable to mikerugg@sbcglobal.net
Last year's event sold out... please order your ticket early:
Reserved tickets: $25 ($22 museum members) would guarantee you a seat up front(1st 3 rows)
General Admission: $15 ($12 museum members, seniors and students)Seniors (62 & over)
Children (12 & under) $5
The barbeque is an optional expense, payable at the museum when you get your food.
Payment can be made by check payable to "CapriTaurus" and mailed to:
Bigfoot Discovery Museum
CapriTaurus
P.O. Box 153
Felton, CA 95018
Paypal is an option as well, payable to mikerugg@sbcglobal.net
Last year's event sold out... please order your ticket early:
Reserved tickets: $25 ($22 museum members) would guarantee you a seat up front(1st 3 rows)
General Admission: $15 ($12 museum members, seniors and students)Seniors (62 & over)
Children (12 & under) $5
The barbecue is an optional expense, payable at the museum when you get your food.
Payment can be made by check payable to "CapriTaurus" and mailed to:
Bigfoot Discovery Museum
CapriTaurus
P.O. Box 153
Felton, CA 95018
Paypal is an option as well, payable to mikerugg@sbcglobal.net
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Eerie Horror Film Festival Update
I arrived at the Warner Theatre around 5 pm. The theater is amazing with the high gilded ceilings, brass handrails, beautiful red tapestry carpeting...
I met Eric and Bruce and we went upstairs to the celebrity wing. At the first table was a very large man named Ken Foree who was in the movies: Devil's Rejects and Dawn of the Dead.
We then moseyed on down and had a lively conversation with Ken Sagoes, who was in Nightmare on Elm Street III and IV. He was very interested in the mystery of Bigfoot and asked us a lot of questions.
Further down we met Reggie Bannister from Phantasm and I made a new friend, Paul who photographs abandoned houses and buildings...he is going to teach me how to use my camera!
I then had my palm read by Katherine and she was phenomenal! I just laughed while she read my palm because she was right on top of everything!
The Bigfoot Field Reporter radio show started and went off pretty well except for 7 minutes of dead air, goblins in the building I guess!
Several of the vendors and presenters and members of the board of directors of the horror fest stopped by to be interviewed and it was a really great time.
The festival is still going on today and tomorrow and I highly recommend going for Don and Eric's presentations!
Monster Mark has designed the Halloween hockey masks out of fiberglass "and other shit"..These masks are beautifully detailed and movie quality!
The masks are $70 each and you can contact Mark at: kosobuckimark@yahoo.com or 814-440-5775
I met Eric and Bruce and we went upstairs to the celebrity wing. At the first table was a very large man named Ken Foree who was in the movies: Devil's Rejects and Dawn of the Dead.
We then moseyed on down and had a lively conversation with Ken Sagoes, who was in Nightmare on Elm Street III and IV. He was very interested in the mystery of Bigfoot and asked us a lot of questions.
Further down we met Reggie Bannister from Phantasm and I made a new friend, Paul who photographs abandoned houses and buildings...he is going to teach me how to use my camera!
I then had my palm read by Katherine and she was phenomenal! I just laughed while she read my palm because she was right on top of everything!
The Bigfoot Field Reporter radio show started and went off pretty well except for 7 minutes of dead air, goblins in the building I guess!
Several of the vendors and presenters and members of the board of directors of the horror fest stopped by to be interviewed and it was a really great time.
The festival is still going on today and tomorrow and I highly recommend going for Don and Eric's presentations!
Monster Mark has designed the Halloween hockey masks out of fiberglass "and other shit"..These masks are beautifully detailed and movie quality!
The masks are $70 each and you can contact Mark at: kosobuckimark@yahoo.com or 814-440-5775
Thursday, October 08, 2009
PA Investigations-Dwayne Pintoff
October 2009
Here are a couple more photos of the foot print that I found. I'm also including some tree stackings and a primitive canopy that Dave and I came across on our last outing.
If you remember, this is not far from where the man and his wife saw a creature on the side of the interstate from a recent report! The other photos show 3 twisted/bent pine trees we found in the grassy meadow at the end of the trail adjacent to the gas pipeline. All three trees were bent/twisted in the same direction. All we could say about the things seen in the photos, was that it was unusual! This meadow was located at the end of the trail where Dave and I set up to do our last night outing...the same place where we had the 15 to 20 pound object thrown behind us!
I plan on returning to the woods again this coming weekend! If I happen to find new evidence, I'll be glad to share it with you if you'd like!
My only interest is to find the evidence to prove once and for all that these creatures do exist!
Any information/support that I can obtain to assist me with my research efforts is greatly appreciated!
Here are a couple more photos of the foot print that I found. I'm also including some tree stackings and a primitive canopy that Dave and I came across on our last outing.
If you remember, this is not far from where the man and his wife saw a creature on the side of the interstate from a recent report! The other photos show 3 twisted/bent pine trees we found in the grassy meadow at the end of the trail adjacent to the gas pipeline. All three trees were bent/twisted in the same direction. All we could say about the things seen in the photos, was that it was unusual! This meadow was located at the end of the trail where Dave and I set up to do our last night outing...the same place where we had the 15 to 20 pound object thrown behind us!
I plan on returning to the woods again this coming weekend! If I happen to find new evidence, I'll be glad to share it with you if you'd like!
My only interest is to find the evidence to prove once and for all that these creatures do exist!
Any information/support that I can obtain to assist me with my research efforts is greatly appreciated!
Beachfoot 2009
Bison 26 and I were discussing his sightings and footprint finds, while Yams orchestrated the cooking of buffalo burgers, salmon, corn on the cob and Craig's Ranch beans..
Bison 26 and Sharonlee
Bison 26 and Sharonlee
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Upcoming Events
This Friday evening, I will be doing my radio show live from the Eerie Horror Film Festival in Erie, PA. I will be alongside Eric Altman of the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society...a little different for me, but what the heck!
I will also be attending the Bigfoot Discovery Days III in Felton, California on October 17th.
I'm not sure if I will be able to attend the opening of the International Cryptozoology Museum on Nov. 1st, but will keep you updated!
Tune in Friday at 9:00 p.m.!
The Bigfoot Field Reporter Radio Show
I will also be attending the Bigfoot Discovery Days III in Felton, California on October 17th.
I'm not sure if I will be able to attend the opening of the International Cryptozoology Museum on Nov. 1st, but will keep you updated!
Tune in Friday at 9:00 p.m.!
The Bigfoot Field Reporter Radio Show
Monday, October 05, 2009
Logo Ideas
Ok, some of you are stumped so here are a few things I like:
I would like The Bigfoot Field Reporter at a diagonal slope in one corner..big bold letters like a newspaper headline or something...carry on
I would like The Bigfoot Field Reporter at a diagonal slope in one corner..big bold letters like a newspaper headline or something...carry on
Esteban Sarmiento on Sasquatch
Primatologist: If Bigfoot exists, it's not an ape
By Mike Leggett
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, October 04, 2009
TYLER — If Bigfoot exists in North America, the mythical beast is no mere ancient representative of an ape family that migrated across the Bering land mass with mastodons and ancient man, a primatologist says.
Bigfoot — or Sasquatch or Skunk Ape or Fouke Monster or whatever name you prefer — would have to be a completely new and specific species, Esteban Sarmiento told attendees at the ninth annual Texas Bigfoot Conference on Sept. 26. "If it's real, this animal is exceedingly human-like," Sarmiento said. "It would be our closest relative on earth."
Sarmiento, though, wouldn't exactly address the question of whether Bigfoot exists or whether he believes the tales about wild, hairy beasts that have drifted out of dark, wooded river bottoms and foggy rain forests for decades. What Sarmiento did say, though, is that, based on his studies of great apes in Africa, Sumatra and Borneo, whatever Bigfoot is, he's not an ape.
Sarmiento spoke during the conference about the so-called Patterson-Gimlin film shot in 1967. A touchstone in Bigfoot lore and the believers' burning bush, the film purports to show a female Bigfoot with pendulous breasts, striding across a rocky area in northern California.
The film has been debated by believers, denounced and debunked by critics, shown on television and dissected and disseminated on YouTube.
Roger Patterson was a would-be filmmaker who had been trying to get funding for a movie about Bigfoot. In early 1967, he rented a quality 16mm camera and convinced Robert Gimlin to travel with him into the wilderness to look for the creature . Amazingly, they found a hairy specimen walking away from them and into heavy timber in the distance. The creature shown in the film is covered in dark hair and walks with a human gait, even turning its head to look back at the camera before it disappears.
Gimlin, who's still alive and attended the conference, swears the film is real. Patterson maintained its authenticity until his death, which happened in 1972. However, a man named Bob Heironimus has claimed he was paid $1,000 to don the suit and walk in front of the camera and out of sight.
Bigfoot and Sasquatch sightings have been common in the Pacific Northwest for decades. They've also been prevalent in East Texas and the surrounding big timber regions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Believers think the common traits of a 7- to 9-foot tall, hairy, wild-eyed but super intelligent beast that normally avoids humans but often is spotted walking along roadways or standing close to remote cabins are related to the same species.
Bigfoot is rare enough, they say, that he must move around to find mates and new territory, and that's why reports have filtered in for at least 150 years.
There have been some obscure and out-of-focus photos taken over the years, and there have been Bigfoot hoaxes and claims of capture and kills, even by respected members of the Bigfoot community. But no one ever has managed a quality photo that comes even close to Patterson's film.
Bigfoot believers — the serious ones are called researchers to separate themselves from simple believers who seem to have devout faith as well in Atlantis, UFOs, chupacabras and aliens among us — have claimed the film shows a possible descendant of Gigantopithecus blacki, a great ape that migrated across the land bridge to live in North America. Sarmiento isn't buying that.
"A great ape (chimp, gorilla or orangutuan) can't do this. I guarantee there's no great ape that can do this," Sarmiento says, pointing to the frame in the film when the creature turns in full stride to look over its shoulder at the camera. "A gorilla couldn't do this. It can't turn it's head. An ape would have to stop and turn around to look at the camera." Apes can walk on two legs, he said, but not with the stride and gait the Patterson Bigfoot uses. That's a human trait.
"And the breast is covered in hair. Gorillas don't have hair on their breasts. Apes only have breasts if they're nursing, but there's no baby in the film," Sarmiento said. "Females usually have a baby around, and I don't think it would leave and not take the baby." Sarmiento added that the bottom of the Bigfoot's foot in the film isn't an ape's foot with an opposable toe and even noted that it looks somewhat like a padded house shoe.
So what is it? What does the film show? "If I can't show it either way, why would I make the call," Saremiento said. "If it's real it has to be a whole new species. Is it a man in a monkey suit? I don't know. If I said that and it turned out not to be, then I'd look stupid."
Buzz up!
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By Mike Leggett
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, October 04, 2009
TYLER — If Bigfoot exists in North America, the mythical beast is no mere ancient representative of an ape family that migrated across the Bering land mass with mastodons and ancient man, a primatologist says.
Bigfoot — or Sasquatch or Skunk Ape or Fouke Monster or whatever name you prefer — would have to be a completely new and specific species, Esteban Sarmiento told attendees at the ninth annual Texas Bigfoot Conference on Sept. 26. "If it's real, this animal is exceedingly human-like," Sarmiento said. "It would be our closest relative on earth."
Sarmiento, though, wouldn't exactly address the question of whether Bigfoot exists or whether he believes the tales about wild, hairy beasts that have drifted out of dark, wooded river bottoms and foggy rain forests for decades. What Sarmiento did say, though, is that, based on his studies of great apes in Africa, Sumatra and Borneo, whatever Bigfoot is, he's not an ape.
Sarmiento spoke during the conference about the so-called Patterson-Gimlin film shot in 1967. A touchstone in Bigfoot lore and the believers' burning bush, the film purports to show a female Bigfoot with pendulous breasts, striding across a rocky area in northern California.
The film has been debated by believers, denounced and debunked by critics, shown on television and dissected and disseminated on YouTube.
Roger Patterson was a would-be filmmaker who had been trying to get funding for a movie about Bigfoot. In early 1967, he rented a quality 16mm camera and convinced Robert Gimlin to travel with him into the wilderness to look for the creature . Amazingly, they found a hairy specimen walking away from them and into heavy timber in the distance. The creature shown in the film is covered in dark hair and walks with a human gait, even turning its head to look back at the camera before it disappears.
Gimlin, who's still alive and attended the conference, swears the film is real. Patterson maintained its authenticity until his death, which happened in 1972. However, a man named Bob Heironimus has claimed he was paid $1,000 to don the suit and walk in front of the camera and out of sight.
Bigfoot and Sasquatch sightings have been common in the Pacific Northwest for decades. They've also been prevalent in East Texas and the surrounding big timber regions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Believers think the common traits of a 7- to 9-foot tall, hairy, wild-eyed but super intelligent beast that normally avoids humans but often is spotted walking along roadways or standing close to remote cabins are related to the same species.
Bigfoot is rare enough, they say, that he must move around to find mates and new territory, and that's why reports have filtered in for at least 150 years.
There have been some obscure and out-of-focus photos taken over the years, and there have been Bigfoot hoaxes and claims of capture and kills, even by respected members of the Bigfoot community. But no one ever has managed a quality photo that comes even close to Patterson's film.
Bigfoot believers — the serious ones are called researchers to separate themselves from simple believers who seem to have devout faith as well in Atlantis, UFOs, chupacabras and aliens among us — have claimed the film shows a possible descendant of Gigantopithecus blacki, a great ape that migrated across the land bridge to live in North America. Sarmiento isn't buying that.
"A great ape (chimp, gorilla or orangutuan) can't do this. I guarantee there's no great ape that can do this," Sarmiento says, pointing to the frame in the film when the creature turns in full stride to look over its shoulder at the camera. "A gorilla couldn't do this. It can't turn it's head. An ape would have to stop and turn around to look at the camera." Apes can walk on two legs, he said, but not with the stride and gait the Patterson Bigfoot uses. That's a human trait.
"And the breast is covered in hair. Gorillas don't have hair on their breasts. Apes only have breasts if they're nursing, but there's no baby in the film," Sarmiento said. "Females usually have a baby around, and I don't think it would leave and not take the baby." Sarmiento added that the bottom of the Bigfoot's foot in the film isn't an ape's foot with an opposable toe and even noted that it looks somewhat like a padded house shoe.
So what is it? What does the film show? "If I can't show it either way, why would I make the call," Saremiento said. "If it's real it has to be a whole new species. Is it a man in a monkey suit? I don't know. If I said that and it turned out not to be, then I'd look stupid."
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Sunday, October 04, 2009
Ohio EOBIC Meeting Oct, 2, 2009
I was asked by Don Keating to give a presentation about my travels at his meeting at Salt Fork State park last night. I was a bit nervous, but then just did what I do best, talk.
Don discussed his new weather program and possible guests for his 2010 conference.
There has been no new activity reported in Ohio, and when we went out squatching after the meeting, all we caught was a cold.
here are some pics from the meeting! Enjoy!
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