SW Wisconsin study area YTD

I've been able to get out into the field in my study area several times in the last 30 days including leaving audio recording equipment out overnight.  Last year was a very active year for the area, which caught me by surprise.  I had two instances of rocks thrown at me, several vocalizations (including one time with multiple witnesses), knocks, and eye glow.  Even when I went into the area at the end of December I had a couple distinct knocks.  So I expected that this spring would pick up where the activity left off.  I took advantage of winter and memorized the location of farm lights and cell phone tower lights so I could determine if what I would be seeing was eye glow or a fixed landmark.  Silly me.

So far I haven't had anything which I would consider to be activity.  No whoops or howls.  No knocks.  And no rock throwing. Looking back at my notes the activity level significantly dropped starting around October 6 when temperatures first started to feel like Wisconsin fall.  It's possible that the area is not a habitat and was active last year because of the significant drought in the state which would cause the Sasquatch to expand their watering/feeding areas. It's also possible that, assuming the creatures are intelligent, they're waiting until the first major influx of campers in the area come and go - which would be after this weekend.

The area will continue to be studied throughout the summer and fall, including late night hikes deep into the woods, and overnight recording sessions. 

The 2013 expedition season has arrived

Finally the snow is gone and it's time to get back into the field. The April expedition has wrapped and I hope to have audio posted shortly. It's too windy today to leave a recorder out in my research area, but I'll be able to spend more time in there this year than I had planned. Then there is an expedition in July I'll be working too.

Its going to be a fun year.

Patterson-Gimlin analysis by Bill Munns

While still in a holding pattern of sorts until Spring finally arrives, let's take another look at the Patterson-Gimlin film, this time an in-depth analysis by Hollywood effects artist Bill Munns.  Well worth watching.

The Patterson-Gimlin Film - The Walk

So it's some dude in a female (!) monkey suit walking around... right?

Not quite.

First, let's briefly examine the walk and specifically the angle of the shin rise which makes the gate in the film so distinguishable.

21 Degrees of Separation

The Patterson-Gimlin Film - Introduction

Nothing defines the public's conception more of how a Sasquatch is supposed to look like than a shaky, poorly shot 953 frames of color film shot in northern California near Bluff Creek on October 20, 1967, by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin.  Whatever the two filmed has since been used as the model of countless movie and TV show images of how a Sasquatch should look, no matter how totally ridiculous the situation (anyone remember Bigfoot vs. The Six Million Dollar Man?).  And, if the film is real, it's one of the most significant zoological discoveries ever.

So, how could two guys on horseback just ride into the woods and happen upon a Sasquatch?

Roger Patterson, a rodeo rider and rancher in the Yakima, Washington, area, had been researching the American "Abominable  Snowman" as early as 1959.  He collected newspaper accounts and in 1963 visited northern California where a set of tracks had been discovered near Bluff Creek.  In 1966 he self-published a book, and decided to make a documentary about his experiences.  Throughout 1966 and 1967 he travelled the Pacific Northwest and made numerous footprint casts, and in October word reached him that a fresh set had been discovered near Bluff Creak, California.  He and Bob Gimlin, a friend and fellow rancher, made the long drive down to northern California and after three weeks of looking for more tracks they came upon a female Sasquatch in a dry creek bed.

So, here is the film, significantly cleaned up - http://youtu.be/qkU8Gbo1Akc - all of the shaking has been removed.

How To Report a Sighting

I've been asked from time to time about how one files a Bigfoot report, so below is a basic FAQ regarding where to file a report and how to write one up.

Q. What constitutes a sighting?
A. Not every Bigfoot sighting or event is the stereotypical road crossing, looking at the camera, "Hi, how are you? Go out and buy some Jack Links" that most people would consider a Bigfoot experience, like the famous 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film (which will be discussed in detail later).  Matter of fact, most experiences tend to be events which can be dismissed such as having a rock or a branch thrown at you when no one is around, an intense and pungent odor, wood knocks, obvious nearby bipedal walking sounds, tracks, etc...  So don't dismiss an experience because the big guy didn't come out and sign an autograph.

Q. How do I report a sighting
A.  The preferred method is by going to http://www.bfro.net/GDB/submitfm.asp which is a national database that I check several times a day for new reports.

Q. Any advice about how to write up a report?
A. Enter as much details about the event as possible.  For example, if you were hunting in a tree stand and and something started throwing branches at you - think back to the day before.  Did you previously hunt in the same location?  Did you recently field dress anything in the vicinity?  Where are your hunting buddies, and did they have any unusual experiences?  What is the time of day?  What are the weather conditions?  Is there any snow?  How far away did you park, and how long did it take to hike to the location? Report as much detail as possible, even if it seems trivial and mundane.  Provide a contact email address and a phone number, and at least a first name.  Also good directions and nearest cross street (if possible) are a must.

Writing the report is simple.  Don't just submit, "me and my friends was out hunting and i saw a big black shadow throw a rock so it was a bigfoot i know it" because I probably won't do any follow-up on a report like that.  But I also don't expect William Faulkner or Chuck Palahniuk.  If you're unsure what to write I recommend checking out some of the published reports on the BFRO website.  I have confidence that once you start writing the words will flow.

Q. What happens after I make a report?
A. When a report is filed in my research area I take ownership and email the person who filed the report to arrange a good time for a phone interview.  Most interviews take place after 7:00 pm during the week but I will make myself available anytime.  The phone interview usually lasts about fifteen to thirty minutes and is time for the witness to review what happened, and go over any details which may have been missed in the initial report.  Once the phone interview is completed I file my report with the BFRO for peer review and online publication if my findings are validated. 

Q. I don't want to have my name or the location published?  Is that going to be an issue?
A. That is not an issue.  We respect privacy and will omit names and location details when asked.

Q. Do you ever get any fake reports?
A Yes.  Some are really funny, too.  If you have a Bigfoot living in your basement I suggest purchasing a lot of Febreze rather than taking the time to file a report. I'm sure you'll need it.

Up and running!

Finally putting the pedal to the metal, taking the bull by the horns, and any other cliche you can think to fill in here.  Truly a journey of a thousand steps starts with one, and while I've been out in the field on numerour occasions, I feel that today is the start of something big - something special.

So, to bide my time until I'm able to get out in the field I'll post recaps of last year's research (maybe link to some audio and photos - we'll see...) plus updates on anything that's shaking in my neck of the woods.  I'll also be linking to some really good sites and other bloggers, and there just could be a t-shirt offer in the works as well.

Thanks, and if the woods are a knockin'...