Honobia Bigfoot Festival and Conference Follow-Up

There are still places within the United States where time stands still.  Honobia, Oklahoma is one of them.

I arrived at DFW on Thursday afternoon and we proceeded to run a few errands while making our way north.  Before we knew it, darkness had fallen and city lights became few and far between.  About 15 miles from Honobia the GPS said we were there. Our cell phones had lost their signal miles before that.  Talk about feeling alone!

After a couple of wrong turns, we finally ended at our destination, Granny's Place, and settled in for the night.

The festivities were scheduled to begin at 9 am, so we headed out to Christ 40 Acres which was about 7 miles from our lodging.  There was a chill in the mountain air, the Kiamichi's creating a breathtaking post card-worthy backdrop.  I had an awesome breakfast burrito from a vendor, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to the conference hall.

Kathy Strain, Dr. Jeff Meldrum and Robert Swain had already set up their tables.  Troy Hudson and Arla Williams were running around taking care of last minute preparations.  A small crowd had begun to trickle in and Troy delayed the opening ceremonies for a few minutes to accommodate last minute stragglers.

Troy Hudson TBIG

Kathy Strain-

Kathy was the first speaker of the day after Troy's opening remarks, and her presentation was entertaining and apropos of the culture of Honobia.  Oklahoma still has a predominant Native American presence which was apparent by the attendees and members of The Bigfoot Investigative Group.  I find it interesting that  you would expect these Bigfoot Conferences to get boring or repetitive after awhile, but I have learned about and observed many different cultural differences from Oregon, California,.Texas, Oklahoma and Ohio.

Each location serving up another style of hospitality, and a different approach to sharing information on Sasquatch/Bigfoot research.

Pete Buffalohead

Following Kathy's presentation was Ponca tribe councilman, Pete Buffalohead.  Pete told stories that had been passed down for many generations about the Bigfoot and how prevalent and accepted they are to the Native American Indians.

Honobia Bigfoot Festival

This weekend I will be in attendance at the Honobia Bigfoot Festival.  I will report to you the events of the weekend with lots of pictures and interviews!

Bigfoot Celebration
McALESTER —
The Honobia Bigfoot Organization received an Oklahoma Arts Council Grant in the amount of $500.
With the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council, these funds will help defray the cost of producing this year’s festival and conference to be held Friday and Saturday, at Christ 40 acres in Honobia, Oklahoma.
They also received a $500 grant from the WalMart Foundation; it will also be used to cover cost of producing this year’s festival and conference.
There will be festival T-shirts and Bigfoot Art Work by Charles Middleman, for sale as well as Bigfoot souvenirs.
You will be able to purchase a chance to win one of three quilts; a guided hog hunt valued at $500 from Triple S Wildlife, a statue of Bigfoot, a beautiful handmade necklace and much more.
Honobia is located in the Kiamichi Mountains about 20 miles south of Talihina, Oklahoma .
There will be a Bigfoot story telling hosted by Troy Hudson and Glen Hyder, Friday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The arts and craft booths and concession stands will be open Friday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The Art Show will be open both days at the same times.
Various musical artist will be performing during the entire festival such as Willard Scarberry with Good News and Country Touch gospel, Okie Uncles high Noon Showdown, Mountain Country Music, Backroads Outlaws, T and O Express, Red Dirt Bottom Land Music, Two for Nothing, and S.E. Oklahoma Kids.
There will be the Honobia Head Cuttin’ Contest again this year.
A new event has been added the Bigfoot Idol Contest; auditions will be held Thursday night at 7p.m.
There will be ATV excursions that are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, bring your own 4 wheeler and learn the type of nesting and habitations areas that are attractive to Bigfoot.
These excursions will be conducted by Calvin Winsor, local resident who is familiar with the Bigfoot terrain. The Bigfoot Conference hosted by TBIG, will have speakers that include Dr. Jeff Meldrum, Kathy Strain, Big Brother Pete Buffalohead, Robert Swain and Troy Hudson.
There will be inflatables, Pony Rides, and a petting zoo for the children.
A booth will be set up where you can get your picture taken with Bigfoot.
The festival and conference is a as family affair, with RV and Tent camping on the grounds.
Any and everyone interested in the various art components offered at the festival or encouraged to attend.
Every effort will be made to make the entire event accessible to those with disabilities.
For more information visit our website at bigfootmountain.com or call (918) 567-3434.The McAlester News-Capital

I'm Not Mad At It....

Great Article By Heidi Walters!

Bigfoot and the Trolls

How a bookseller in Willow Creek caused the biggest Bigfoot forum on the web to be shut down. Or did he?

(Sept. 23, 2010)  He’d been here many times before: He knew it as well in the darkness of this balmy late-May night, with midnight just minutes away, as in the bright disclosure of day.
He could hear the low shhhhh of the river nearby. A slight breeze moved from tree to tree in the screen of oaks and maples that he knew stood between him and the deep-wooded mountains that steeply rise up. Now it stirred the chimes hanging from the back porch eave; the gentle dinging should have reminded him that civilization was as close as he wanted it to be.  Read More

Those Russians are at it AGAIN! :)

Search for Bigfoot begins in Kemerovo Region
KEMEROVO, September 22 (Itar-Tass) -- A fourth science expedition has left for Mountain Shoria (a territory in Southern Siberia, east of the Altai Mountains) earlier on Wednesday in search of any traces of the abominable snowman. Taking part in the expedition will be the director of the International Center for Hominology, Igor Burtsev, deputy president of the public association Kosmopoisk, Vasily Dovgoshei, History Doctor Valery Kimeyev and other experts. As Igor Burtsev, a participant in several previous expeditions, has told Itar-Tass, the search will last for about ten days. The experts are determined to find irrefutable evidence the Bigfoot (also known by the names of Sasquatch and Yeti) does exist. “During the previous expedition a year ago I saw markers (half-broken branches) the creature uses to mark the controlled territory,” Burtsev said. “Mountain Shoria is a perfect place for yetis. It is a sparsely populated, mountainous area, where there are many caves, it is relatively warm and there are sources of pure fresh water. In the mountain rivers fish is in abundance and hunting in the forests must be really good. I reckon the Bigfoot likes to go fowling. In the woods I have found several artifacts to confirm my theory of mine. This time I plan to find the Bigfoot’s shelter and even try to contact the creature." The head of the Tashtagol District, Vladimir Makuta, says that the first mention of Bigfoot’s presence in Mountain Shoria dates back to 1980. The creatures seem to have gone especially active over the past three years.

Some Video from The Ohio Bigfoot Organization Event Featuring Esteban Sarmiento

Most of the creative t-shirts are designed by Mike Esordi of Bigfoot Surplus.

Bigfoot in Fresno County?

ABC produced a very fair and honest segment about modern day bigfoot in our culture, using iconic images that we have all become familiar with throughout the past few decades.

The report also features Michael Rugg's Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Santa Cruz, and again I urge you to all send $5.00 to the cause! Send more!

Ohio Bigfoot Conference Follow-up to Legends of Bigfoot Lecture

Good evening friends!

I am home now from a wonderful afternoon spent with like-minded Bigfoot enthusiasts from Northeast Ohio.

It was an overcast seasonable afternoon. I picked up my partner Bob and we headed west to Lorain county to the Carlisle Nature Center.

Marc was setting up his vendor table while Dave was setting up Esteban's PowerPoint presentation.

I went over to say hello to my favorite primate anthropologist; restraining myself from his boyish charms.

Bob and I said our hellos and were soon greeted by Dave aka 'Bluetracker" and Liam, aka, "Irish Guy". Psychic Sonya brought up the rear.

There were about 75 people in the room and some were boy scouts who had heard about the event from Marc's wife who is a den leader.

Marc began the presentation with a brief biography of himself and how he started out as a Bigfoot researcher over 20 years ago. He then told us a story of his first visualization and showed the video to corroborate his story.

He thinks the video is nothing.

Believe me when I tell you, that this video far surpasses anything ...any blobsquatch..anything by ButchyKid..just let me say..I was impressed. I have asked for Mark's permission to air the story and the video...I hope he allows you all to see it.

He then introduced Esteban. I wish that Esteban were a professor at Cleveland State University because I would definitely sign up for his class.

He began talking to us about the physical attributes of Great Apes. He provided slides that explained the disbursement of apes an humans all over the world. He showed how almost all Great Apes reside in countries near the equator.

He then segued into the Patterson film and how the subject in the film differs from an ape, and has more human characteristics.

Esteban neither confirms or denies that he believes in Bigfoot, however he will not rule out the possibility of a species of North American ape.

As always, Esteban was enjoyable to listen to and an attentive listener himself.

He loves the stories that people tell him and will give you his honest opinion when asked a direct question.

Marc DeWerth and his organization, the Ohio Bigfoot Organization deserve much credit for bring Esteban in, at their own expense, and charging nothing to the public. I would definitely send some donations his way.

Hopefully I will add some video and audio to this post so you can all feel like you were there!

It was an awesome afternoon and I am home now thinking about my next adventure...Honobia, Oklahoma!

Can't wait to see my dear friends Bob and Kathy Strain! xoxo muah muah muah!

Loving my life and what I do! Till next time friends!

The Legend of Bigfoot

This weekend the Ohio Bigfoot Organization is hosting The Legend of Bigfoot featuring the esteemed primate anthropologist, Esteban Sarmiento.

Characters welcome.

THE LEGEND OF BIGFOOT
Saturday, September 11th, from 2-4 pm
Lorain County Metroparks-
Carlisle Reservation - Carlisle Visitor Center- 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, Ohio 44050,
440-458-5121 (southwest of Cleveland, Ohio)
Join us for an extraordinary look into The Legend of Bigfoot hosted by the Ohio Bigfoot Organization.

Wild Side Man Cave Sweepstakes

Wild Side Man Cave Sweepstakes

Messing With Sasquatch

I had a special request to find this video...

Everyone Wants to be like Tom Yamarone

Honobia Bigfoot Festival 2010

The Honobia Bigfoot Festival and Conference is a 2 day festival in October celebrating Bigfoot and Bigfoot studies. The festival includes live music, games, food and other activities while the conference provides research workshops and prominent Bigfoot researchers speaking about their experiences and research.

* DR. JEFF MELDRUM * TROY HUDSON * KATHY STRAIN * PETE BUFFALOHEAD * ROBERT SWAIN

This year’s festival will take place at the Christ’s 40 Acres grounds, over 20 acres of prime festival and camping grounds. Bathrooms and RV hookups are on site and parking is FREE! Enjoy the warm days and cool nights at our campsites which can be rented for $20 dollars per day for RV’s and $10 dollars per day for tents on the festival grounds! There are other local camp grounds close by.

On Thursday night the festivities start off with auditions for Big Foot Idol at 7 p.m.

Autumn William's won't be there so I have a really good chance at taking home the grand prize! No video recording please! LOL

A great time will be had by all! Please stop by and say hello to me if you are there! :)

Bigfoot Observer's Field Manual

On January 1, 2010 I had read the Bigfoot Observer's Field Manual by Robert W. Morgan.

The book was very short, but filled with thoughtful insight and planning on how to create the perfect atmosphere for a researcher to experience a possible visit by the "Giant Forest People".

Recently, Robert has created an audio CD version of the manual.

The very first track entitled The Perfect Encounter sets the mood perfectly. Although I was sitting in my office while listening to the CD, Robert's descriptive narrating soon had my mind and thoughts whisked away to a perfect, warm autumn day in the woods.

As Robert continued on through the chapters, I was reminded of how very important it is that we aren't all running into the forest willy-nilly hoping to snap a photo of the Sasquatch, and how we should prepare ourselves physically and mentally for the ambitiously onerous challenge.

His chapter on how to grid and document activity in certain areas is pertinent to beginning any investigation.

The CD version also allows Robert to interject his intensity and passion as well as some personal comments and observations.

I would highly recommend both the book and audio CD to be carried by all researchers, rookie and veteran. The CD can be listened to while driving to your next expedition or to your research area.

On a side note, Halloween is approaching and as I stated before, the introduction on the CD sets the scene for a thrilling, woodsy experience and would definitely keep a den of Boy Scouts on the edge of their seats!
Perfect for a campfire setting!

The CD is not available through Amazon.com at this time.  However you can order your copy of either the book or the CD for $16.00 by visiting: http://pinewindspress.com/

Modern Monster

Today was the first time I heard about a film being made in West Virginia by a young lad named John Mascella.

His film is titled Modern Monster and includes squatch-lebrities such as Eric Altman and Don Keating.



It will explore the evidence of bigfoot and focus on the pop culture of the creature. John hopes to enter his film at the Sundance movie festival in 2012.

Good luck John!

(You should have featured a certain blond Bigfoot reporter, shame on you)

Trip to Southern Ohio

A few weeks ago, I was given information about a woman in southern Ohio who had been having squatchtivity in her neighborhood since 2003.  Of course that was my cue to jump in the old squatchmobile and make the 4 hour trek there!

There had been sighting reports in the 1980's, but she had never had her own experience.

Her family owns several hundred acres of land, and most of her neighbors, few and far between are aunts, uncles and cousins.  Hers is the last house on the gravel road.  The road takes you into a private property owned by the Division of Forestry.

no trespassing sign

In 2003,  she was walking down to her mailbox when she heard 3 wood knocks in the woods to the north.  She then picked up two rocks and clacked them together.  This resulted in three more wood knocks and her barricading herself in her house until her husband came home.  She then told him what had happened and they were both convinced it was a Sasquatch.

tree stump that creature leapt from onto rear of truck

A few years ago, her husband and nephew were  trying to attract foxes and were playing the sound recording of a rabbit being killed by a fox.  Most of us have heard that sound, if not listen here.  They then thought they heard a man's voice yell out, "Hey! What are you doing?"  They were startled, but then angered that someone was on their private property, so they jumped into the pickup truck and headed up the road to see who was there.  They didn't see anyone, then turned the truck around.  The nephew is a big boy, 6'2" over 250 lbs.  All of a sudden on the passenger side of the truck, they see a giant figure jump from a tree stump on the slope above the road, about 7 feet high.  The Sasquatch leapt from the stump and landed on the rear quarter panel of the truck and held on for about 15 feet before it fell off into the ditch.  The men claimed the creature was so heavy that the truck was swerving and dragging in the rear.

scratch marks left from creature as it clung on to rear of truck

The next morning, in the day light, they photographed the claw marks.

Although she has never seen the full body of the Sasquatch, she claims to have seen and heard them all around her property and has caught glimpses of an arm, shoulder and hand.

She leaves apples out, sings Indian songs and talks softly to them.

Her 6 yr old daughter has only seen Bigfoots on television.

daughter's drawing of Bigfoot

We then drove around and she showed me some tree and stick formations.

We then said our goodbyes and I made the 4 hour drive back home.

Although I did not see, hear or smell anything Squatchy, I did enjoy my visit and listening to the stories.

I have recorded some of the stories and will post them on Monday.

I love where I go, who I meet and what I research, even when nothing happens.

ODNR approves funding to expand trail projects

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which administers the Clean Ohio Trails Fund, has approved grant proposals for trail projects across the state that will help develop and revitalize communities.
The Clean Ohio Trails Fund is one of four components of the Clean Ohio Fund, which restores, protects and connects Ohio's natural and urban places.
Ohioans approved the establishment of the $400 million bond program in 2000. It was a critical component of the 2008 Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan.
An extension of the Clean Ohio Fund was overwhelmingly accepted at the ballot in 2008.
ODNR awarded 30 Clean Ohio Trails Fund grants for community projects that will build and maintain infrastructure that allows citizens to conveniently connect to nature.
These projects will complete regional trail systems and connects to statewide trails, link population centers with outdoor recreation areas and facilities, preserve natural corridors, and link urban areas to support commuter access and provide economic benefits.
The investments help facilitate travel, enhance educational opportunities and provide safe, scenic areas where Ohioans can hike, bike or run and build healthy lifestyles.
Grants totaling $8.29 million will support projects which improve outdoor recreational opportunities for Ohioans, which are expected to cost as much as $20.89 million.
This funding will be used to develop 35.82 miles of new trails, construct four bridges, 2.31 miles of bike lanes, and acquire more than 50 miles of abandon railroad and greenway corridors. Grant recipients will provide a 25 percent local match for their projects.
To date, the Clean Ohio Trail Fund has dedicated more than $39 million to provide thousands of Ohioans with better access to recreational opportunities through the creation of more than 263 miles of trails and the acquisition of 94 miles of abandoned railroad and greenway corridors.

What's Next?

This weekend I will be traveling to southern Ohio to interview a witness who has had a habituation situation for the past 5 years.  More to come...

But wait! There's more!

On September 11, 2010, the Ohio Bigfoot Organization will be hosting 

THE LEGEND OF BIGFOOTSaturday, September 11th, from 2-4 pm

Lorain County Metroparks- Carlisle Reservation - Carlisle Visitor Center- 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, Ohio 44050, 440-458-5121 (southwest of Cleveland, Ohio)

Join us for an extraordinary look into The Legend of Bigfoot hosted by the Ohio Bigfoot Organization.

Local Bigfoot enthusiast and long time Ohio Bigfoot Investigator Marc DeWerth touches on Bigfoot in our own backyard followed by special guest speaker Dr. Esteban Sarmiento who is a primatologist and functional anatomist for the American Museum of Natural History and takes a scientific approach on The Legend of Bigfoot!    Dr. Sarmiento will be discussing the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin Film from an Anatomist's viewpoint and will break down the film and give his scientific opinion on the Bigfoot phenomenon.

Doors will open at 1:30 PM and the lectures are FREE to attend. For more information, contact Marc DeWerth at madbigfoot@aol.com

Directions

I will be in attendance as well as Bob "Lowrider"...hope to see you there!

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.