A Jeer for Sasquatch Believers

In Jeers: Why do the Sasquatch believers keep on keeping on?

Last week, according to The Associated Press, about 45 members of the Bigfoot Field Research Organization spent two days in the Uintah Mountains of Utah searching for the legendary apelike critter, emphasis on "legendary."

They used sophisticated equipment such as parabolic microphones and night-vision goggles.

Here's a shocker: A Forest Service District Ranger there said he was not aware of any sighting and that campers should be more worried about bears. Nevertheless, there are apparent true believers, including Scott Taylor of Tacoma, who said he saw Bigfoot in 2005 while deer hunting on the Washington coast.

Funny, that despite the occasional "sightings" and despite all the digital and cell-phone cameras everyone seems to carry these days, no one ever gets a bona fide picture or video of Sasquatch.

First saw the link for this item in the Clark County, Washington’s The Columbian by way of Cryptomundo.

As with UFO investigations, you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t, when it comes to skeptwoos. If BF researchers didn’t use equipment of any kind, they’d be chided for not being “scientific,” or serious, etc. When they do use equipment, they’re mocked. (well, either way, they’re mocked.)

Just the usual knee jerk skeptoid stuff, but I always wonder at the mindset that won’t allow for a witnesses’s experience; in this case, Scott Taylor. Does the reporter think Taylor is lying? Mentally ill? Simply mistaken? It’d be refreshing to see someone take responsibility for what they say; in this case, the reporter’s glib dismissal of the experience is an example. Say why you think it’s worth mocking.

There’s also the flawed reasoning that, since a ranger hasn’t heard any reports of a BF, then there aren’t any BF.

By the way, the Uintah region is well known for its history of UFO sightings, as well as Bigfoot type or “shape shifting” type creatures. Read Hunt for the Skinwalker: Science: Confronts the Unexplained at a Remote Ranch in Utah,
by Colm A. Kelleher and George Knapp, and The Utah UFO Display, by F.B. Salisbury. I believe the latter is out of print but you can find it on amazon.com, ebay, etc. That’s where I found my used copy. There’s also interesting material on Utah’s UFO Ranch.

Bigfoot Friendly Tom Synder Dies

Cryptomundo has an item about broadcast icon Tom Synder, who died yesterday at his home. Why does Cryptomundo have a story on Synder, you may wonder? Turns out Synder was "Bigfoot friendly."

I was a fan of Synder's and of course, many of us remember Dan Ackroyd's classic parody of Synder, with that laugh of his. I watched Snyder all the time in Los Angeles. I had an interesting experience watching Synder with guest Uri Geller; all about a watch and a clock, but that's for another time.

Here's to Tom Synder, a broadcast icon. Rest in peace.

On Cryptomundo: To Kill or Not to Kill?

Cryptomundo blog once again brings up the question of kill or no kill.

Agreed that only a dead body will satisfy science. The issue is, for myself, is one whether "cares" if science gets it or not. For those who have seen Bigfoot, they have proof. For others, it will have to remain a mystery, a question, and that's all right. I haven't seen a Bigfoot myself, so I can't say for a fact it exists. I don't have proof. I am of the opinion it exists, based on the data. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. If I'm right -- that being determined by my either seeing a Bigfoot with my own eyes, or, sadly, a dead body - then I'm right. (there is a third option; that of a witness very close to me, who had a Bigfoot encounter. Do you believe that person or not?)

As always, this discussion is interesting.

One Long Thread

It goes without saying that skeptwoos don't "believe" in Bigfoot; that BF doesn't exist. Paranormal or flesh and blood. So why has there been an active thread since July, 2005, about BF on the JREF (James Randi) forum? It boggles the mind. I don't have the patience or desire to get involved, but if you're so inclined, you can join the fray here.

Stick to Basics

Brian Gaugler has an article on UFO Digest: Bigfoot Research Shoiuld Stick to Basics.

Gaugler begins by agreeing with UFO and Fortean writer Nick Redfern that we shouldn't toss out data that seem at odds with our comfort zones. All those “cross over cases” are part of the data. He also says that a paranormal explanation isn’t the answer either; that we can’t give up on the idea that Bigfoot is a flesh and blood creature. And, of course, cryptozoology is a science. No room for orbs, UFOs and telepathy there.

While ultimately I disagree with Gaugler on his views regarding "paranormal" Bigfoot, he does make good points. For example, he writes that:

the number of cases in Bigfoot appears to be nothing more than a flesh and blood species completely outweigh the ones with a more paranormal bent. All of the major Bigfoot cases that are commonly cited in the literature, such as the Albert Ostman case and the Ape Canyon siege, both from 1924, contain no traces of any paranormal elements, but instead portray the Bigfoot as behaving more like regular animals. In addition, many of the paranormal Bigfoot cases don't hold up well to scrutiny, failing to provide any empirical evidence and appearing to be more likely hoaxes or just simple coincidences or misidentifications.

In cases where Bigfoot behaves more “animal” than supernatural, this is a good point. It’s also possible what we know of Bigfoot are two or more different types of creatures. And, or, that Bigfoot shifts between two worlds; flesh and blood, "paranormal."

I do question his assertion that the paranormal cases “don’t hold up to scrutiny” -- really, what paranormal event does? And I wouldn’t go so far as to say that those cases are hoaxes, “simple coincidences or misidentifications.”

There's just too much of that weird data out there concerning Bigfoot to warrant including it in our approach.

Lisa Shiel, of Bigfoot Quest blog and author of Backyard Bigfoot, has a good post on “Top 5 Best and Worst Ways to Hunt for Bigfoot.” As Lisa says, you don’t need a big expedition to look for Bigfoot:

If you want to look for Bigfoot, you need no expedition. You need no Bigfoot researcher to guide you. You need only your brain, your eyes, your ears, and your common sense.

Watching a lot of Bigfoot documentaries, with lots of people making all kinds of noise with all kinds of equipment seems self defeating, to me. Similar to ghost hunting; all those ghost hunters who insist on bringing in tons of equipment. Personally, I don’t think this is the way to go about finding Bigfoot, regardless if you think Bigfoot is more than merely “flesh and blood” or not. Anyway, good advice Lisa!

Atshenash: First Nations Bigfoot Legend

A First Nations account of a Bigfoot legend (Atshenash) by way of Cryptomundo blog and Kathy Strain (Allieance of Independent Bigfoot Researchers.)

The Lake Worth Monster: Frank Brooks for UFO Digest

Frank Brooks for UFO Digest on the Lake Worth monster a bigfoot like, or BHM (Big Hairy Monster) creature seen in Texas in the 1960s. The Lake Worth Monster. Among other things, the creature appeared to be a "white bigfoot" -- always an interesting category.

Shiel on Making Money

Lisa Shiel has an entry on making money from one's research and interest in Bigfoot: Selling Bigfoot,

I have no problem with somebody making money off Bigfoot. For me, problems arise when people turn their Bigfoot organizations into travel agencies, then continue to pass off their vacations as research. Call your fee-charging expedition a vacation and I will have no complaints. Call it a scientific endeavor, and I will have serious questions. Of course, my main issue with the BFRO expeditions stems from my opinion about expeditions in general—i.e. they don't work.

The same goes for making money on anything in the esoteric field; UFOs, etc. For some reason, critics attack writers for "making money" as if that has something to do with credibility.

On Cryptomundo: "Pygmies Belittled: Exhibited at Zoo

Again.
A very sad and disturbing story, that is sadly a true story, which inspires Coleman to ask us about Bigfoot and our relationship to it.
Pygmies Belittled: “Exhibited” At Zoo

This Day in Bigfoot History: "MoMo"

"MoMO" was one of those Out of Place (OOP) Fortean, anomalous creatures that monster lovers love to love. MoMo appeared on this day; a Bigfoot type creature of a paranormal nature. Read more on Cryptomundo.

Lisa Shiel on Synchronicity of Bigfoot and UFOs

Bigfoot researcher and author Lisa Shiel (Backyard Bigfoot) has a good post on the "synchronicity" of Bigfoot and UFO connection.

A Huge Amazon Monster Is Only a Myth. Or Is It?

By LARRY ROHTER
Published: July 8, 2007

RIO BRANCO, Brazil — Perhaps it is nothing more than a legend, as skeptics say. Or maybe it is real, as those who claim to have seen it avow. But the mere mention of the mapinguary, the giant slothlike monster of the Amazon, is enough to send shivers down the spines of almost all who dwell in the world’s largest rain forest.

This beast of lore and encounters is the "mapinguary" - ma-ping-wahr-EE - which means, according to the article, “the roaring animal” or “the fetid beast.”

For the rest of this article, which includes map and a photo, go here.

Tony Healy Interview on Binnall of America

You can listen to host Tim Binnall of Binnall of America interviewing Yowie researcher Tony Healy.

Healy is author of the book
THE YOWIE:
In Search of Australia's Bigfoot, with co-author Paul Cropper, and an introduction by Loren Coleman. Published by Anomalist Books.

Erik Beckjord Writes to Michigan Paper

Paranormal Bigfoot researcher Erik Beckjord writes a letter to the editor of the Michigan Daily Press on Bigfoot:

http://www.dailypress.net/stories/articles.asp?articleID=11858

Early California "Crazy Bear"

I posted this on my other blog, The OrangeOrb, back in April:

Received my copy of Preston Dennett's UFOs Over California yesterday, and discovered this:

"The many popular Native American legends of wise visitors from the sky could be the legacy of early California encounters. One of the first UFO-Bigfoot accounts occurred in 1888, and comes from the journal of a cattleman who had wintered with a tribe of Native Americans in northern California. During his stay, he saw a member of the tribe carrying a platter of raw meat into the forest. He followed the Indian to a nearby cave. Upon entering, he was amazed to see the Indian feeding the meat to a large, hairy man-like creature. The creature was totally covered with thick hair, except for its palms. Also, the creature had no neck, but ws much larger than a man. The Indian tribe called him "Crazy Bear" and explained that he had come to the earth in a "small moon" which carried two other similar creatures. Inside the "small moon" were several other entities who were human-looking, only very short and they wore shiny, silver clothes. After disgorging the three creatures, the object too off into space. The Indians told the cattleman that similar incidents had happened throughout the years, but only rarely." (Preston Dennett, UFOs Over California, Schiffer 2005, p10.)

Well, I wasn't expecting to read that!

As “spoon nose” commented, that story appeared in Brad Stieger’s Mysteries of Time and Space:

Location. Near Humboldt Line, Tennessee

Date: winter 1888 Time: various

The grandfather of James C Wyatt reportedly stated that while he and several cowhands were staying with an Indian tribe during the winter following the delivery of cattle to a nearby fort, the grandfather communicated with the Indians via sign and verbal language. He was led into a hidden cave and there he saw a hairy man-like creature. The being was neck less, long armed, and covered with long, shiny black hair. The only apparently hairless parts were around its eyes and the palms of the hands. The being appeared tamed and sat with its legs crossed as it consumed the meat, which was brought by the Indian. “Crazy Bear,” as the creature was called by the Indians, was fed at regular intervals by the Indians, that stated that such creatures came from “moons” which periodically land in a nearby valley. The Indians claim that over the years, many “Crazy bears” had been left in the woods, put there by the “sky people.” The “sky people” appear different than the hairy giants, resembling Indians, but with short hair and shiny clothes. ~ Brad Steiger’s Mysteries of Time and Space. (and thanks to the Cabinet of Wonders blog.)

Notes

Cabinet of Wonders blog
http://www.wunderkabinett.co.uk/damndata/index.php?/archives/926-The-Paranormal-Aspects-of-Cryptozoology-Bigfoot-and-the-Flying-Saucers-The-Early-Years.html

Mysteries of Time and Space; Brad Steiger

UFOs Over California, Preston Dennett