RAY HARWOOD'S BIGFOOT QUEST MAGAZINE NOTES

TRACKING THE BULL SASQUATCH: MY WON ADVENTURES By Ray Harwood (SOME OF MY RESEARCH ADVENTURES) PART 1

I became interested in Bigfoot research many years ago, I was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky as an armored Crewman in the M60 A3 Main Battle Tank for the First Armored Division and I did some of the calvary scout training as well. While at Fort Knox there was rumors of Bigfoot encounters in the woods there, one of them ended in the slaughter of a nuclear family of Bigfoot animals, the female adult had been caught in a bear trap and hastened their movement, some perimeter guards that were working with a local law enforcement helicopter spotter to eradicate illegal marijuana groves on the rural areas of the fort and they had spotted the Bigfoot family forcing the encounter. The large male “bull Squatch” false charged the guards, allegedly to protect the trapped female and the offspring, and t the guards responded and shot the four Bigfoot subjects dead. Allegedly it was by Charlie Raymond that pulled the trigger and he apparently gave a death bed confession. I suspected this was only hearsay and rumors at the time, but I have seen articles about it on the internet here and there since that time(1989-1991), helicopters and live fire training at Fort Knox, during the Gulf Wars, was a constant occurrence, so the episode would not have even been noticed to anyone but those involved with the alleged incidence or in the direct the area encounter and engagement. I really hadn’t heard or seen anything to do with Bigfoot after those strange stories at Fort Knox until perhaps 2007. It was then that I went on a family vacation to Yosemite National park in California. We were on the way up to the park, we were going through the town of El-Portal, near the resort cabins owned by View Lodge, when we pulled over for a break. We got out of the car and hiked around a bit and we found some granite bedrock that had ancient Native American Indian grinding mortar and pestle holes in them. It appeared as if someone had cleaned out the old rock mortars and had been drinking from them as they had filled with rain water. I Just happen to look at the ground near the bed rock and see a long trackway of large footprints, I didn’t ask “what are those”, it was obviously Bigfoot. They tracks were all sorts of shapes from the natural movement of the foot, they were not fake. The foot prints were far apart from each other, by the anatomy it, it appeared the Bigfoot had been running. I fallowed the track way and found two prints side by side and a large scat pile where it was obvious the Bigfoot had squatted to take a dump. I cast the prints with cement that I had gone over and found at the View Lodge maintenance center, but it would not dry and the casts just crumbled. Fast forward to 2014 and I was dear hunting near my home in Northern Idaho, I saw a single Bigfoot print in a sandy area among some shrubs and grass, I searched around but there was only the lone print. I went to Walmart and got some plaster and was able to cast it. That was it, even though I spend almost all my spare time in the wilderness, I saw nothing else Bigfoot related. Three years later (2019) I found another single print maybe 10 miles from the last one, the substrate here is very poor for the preservation of footprints unless it is in mud or sand, the ground in most places is very hard with a light layer of dust covering it, this being volcanic ash, left over from the eruption of Mount Saint Hellens(1980). This print was very large and clear but much to shallow to cast, I took a photo and sent it Dr. Jeff Meldrum at Idaho State University. Dr. Meldrum took an interest in the print, but being that it was not of cast-able depth or quality, and only a single print, not much data could be extrapolated from it. Several weeks later, and maybe 50 yards from where I had discovered the print, I came across the skeletal carcass of a large elk. As I looked the skeletal remains over I happed to see something a bit anomalous, there was a stone scrapping tool, similar to an ancient stone-age artifact inside the rib cage of the elk. I had studied the Paleolithic period in archaeology in college and it was obvious what I had found was an artifact similar to ancient sharp edged butchering artifacts. I contacted Cliff Barackman, he known for the Animal Planet program Finding Bigfoot and his North American Bigfoot Center, and Dr. Jeff Meldrum to get their opinions, both men were skeptical of such a find. “Bigfoot does not make stone tools” was the consensus, however no one said that Bigfoot did not perhaps use stones as tools in perhaps an opportunistic scenario. World renowned primatologist Jane Goodall had in-fact observed and documented chimpanzees making and using basic tools in the wilds of Africa in November of 1960. Dr. Meldrum explained his perspective on the subject in great detail, the most compelling reason Bigfoot most likely did not fashion tools of stone, wood and bone is the lack of a fully opposable thumb. Furthermore, the theory that Bigfoot with its massive jaw, teeth and sagittal crest muscle attaching point along the suture area of the skull, there would be no need for food processing tools as the massive jaw strength and teeth could do the job mitigating any need for such tools. Dr. Jeff Meldrum is a well-known and respected scientist in the field of physical anthropology and specifically known for his interest in the study of Sasquatch or Bigfoot. He is a professor of anatomy and anthropology at Idaho State University and has gained recognition for his work in primate evolution and locomotion. While he is undoubtedly knowledgeable in these areas, it's essential to consider a few factors that might support his qualifications for leading a massive Sasquatch hunt using trackers, aerial reconnaissance, and high-tech equipment: 1. Expertise in Physical Anthropology: Dr. Meldrum's expertise in physical anthropology gives him a solid foundation for studying the morphology and locomotion of primates. This knowledge can be valuable when examining potential evidence related to Sasquatch sightings, such as footprints or other physical traces. 2. Familiarity with Sasquatch Evidence: Due to his involvement and interest in the Sasquatch phenomenon, Dr. Meldrum has likely extensively studied reported sightings, footprints, and other evidence claimed to be related to the creature. This experience could aid in devising appropriate search strategies and knowing where to focus efforts. 3. Scientific Approach: As a trained scientist, Dr. Meldrum is likely to employ a scientific approach in his investigations, ensuring that data collection is systematic, objective, and unbiased. This is crucial when dealing with an elusive and controversial subject like Sasquatch. 4. Ability to Coordinate Researchers: As a respected figure in the field, Dr. Meldrum may have connections with other scientists and researchers interested in the study of Sasquatch. This network could be valuable in assembling a team of experts for the search. 5. Credibility and Public Perception: Dr. Meldrum's reputation as an academic could lend credibility to the expedition, potentially attracting funding, media attention, and the support of other scientists and organizations. However, it's essential to note that Sasquatch is considered a cryptid, meaning a creature whose existence has not been scientifically proven. While Dr. Meldrum's qualifications might support an organized and scientific approach to studying reported evidence, the success of a "massive Sasquatch hunt" is highly speculative. Additionally, it's crucial to adhere to ethical considerations when conducting such an expedition. The potential impact on the environment and local communities should be taken into account, and efforts should be made to ensure minimal disruption and respect for the wilderness areas being explored. Lastly, the acceptance of Sasquatch as a legitimate subject of scientific study remains a subject of debate within the scientific community. While there are enthusiasts and researchers like Dr. Meldrum who take the subject seriously, many others view it as a topic more suited for folklore and cryptozoology rather than mainstream scientific investigation. I understood the concept of Bigfoot’s anatomy negating the need for any cultural artifacts that Dr. Meldrum put forth, but the crude tools remained a serious question. Then I stumbled on an article on the Bigfoot 411 website that seemed to resolve the stone tool dilemma, there are four species under the category of Bigfoot: Type 1 “The Patty” type, the classic Sasquatch as seen in the 1967 Patterson Gimlin Film and tracked by Paul Freeman in the Blue Mountains, very large and bulky like a man-gorilla cross breed of sorts with humanoid facial features. Type 2 An ape-like face a bit smaller than type 1 and hunqid type body, in the south this would be called the Skunk ape. Type 3 is described a very large savage or primal baboon faced bipedal mammal that looks in anatomy much like Type 1. Type 4 is described as an “early man,” “cave man” and some even sport beards and mustaches. The type 4 has round skull as apposed to a conical shape, so a lack of the sagittal crest and the opportunity for a larger brain case than the other Bigfoot types. It was this type 4 Bigfoot that seemed to fit the bill for my tools making stranger deep in the Idaho panhandle forest. With a tool kit of newly gained knowledge, I proceeded back up to the area of alleged activity the next week, it had started to snow so I was unable to continue with he analysis of the elk butcher site that had yielded the stone tool artifact. I continued hunting up in an adjacent canyon I located a fresh elk kill, it was deer hunting season not elk season, so it appeared odd, I looked over the elk corpse, it was still intact with the exception of a single five inch round hole where the kidney had been removed, this was the only wound I could locate on the body. I had found a dead black Angus cow about 15 miles from here with the same wound in the summer before this. A light dusting of snow had coved the body of the animal. I have heard of wolves making strange kills like this and perhaps some sort of alien activity or something, it was enough of a weird vibe to cause me to get off the mountain. As soon as I was in range of a decent cell phone reception I called the Idaho Fish and Game and reported the dead elk as a poacher kill, but the authorities said there was really nothing they could do as the alleged poachers were no where to be found, no camp site artifacts or even a trace of human activity. I started thinking that there was Bigfoot lurking around in the forest here and I started watching YouTube videos and documentaries. At this point I became aware of the alleged stick glyphs, structures, tree knocks, branch breaks, nests and so on, once I knew what to look for, I found all of these were present in the area. I began documenting these Bigfoot artifacts and even found several tree knockers, a termite stick, and several more stone tools. One thing I found that I had not seen on any of the films I watched was these crude flint-like stone tools, and as I stated, buy now I had found several more, in context with butcher sites. Also, I found very large boulders that had been flipped over, reason unknown. So the winter snow melted and the spring emerged in the forrest, the melting snow exposed a plethora of elk butcher sites. One morning I entered into a very steep sided canyon. I could see half a dozen skeletons strewn about of the steep hill side. Grizzly bears love to eat carrion as the carcasses emerge out of the melting snow, but these skeletons were not scavenged, they had been seemingly picked clean before the melt. The very strange thing amount these skeletons was they way in which they met their demise, they had been beaten to death with massive logs and then pinned down with these very large logs and had trees pushed down upended upon them, their contorted bodies seemingly eaten alive. As I walked around and took a video of one of the more macabre skeletal images I was startled by a loud, hollow sounding tree knock. I froze in my tracks and just stared at the adjoining canyon that intersected the one I was on the Sade of, about 30 feet away. I was an obvious bipedal set of heavy foot stomps and they were heading my way. The hill side was very steep and covered with pine needles, it was a very slippery slope. I had to make a quick decision whether to stay and try to get a video or photo, to scramble up the steep hillside to safety or to try and shoot what ever was coming to eat me. I elected to scramble up the hill side, I kept slipping down on the slippery carpet of pine needles and they were piercing my palms and it stung really bad. I finally made it up the steep incline to a stable vantage point, I held my camera in one hand and my firearm in the other and waited for what ever was thundering through the forrest and obviously undaunted by the steep slopes, but it diverted its path and it never did come around the adjacent slope. At this point I was entering the deep forest, not to dispatch game for harvest, but to find and document the animal that had stalked me in the canyon and who’s archaeology sites and isolated foot prints I had been finding and analyzing over the last few years. Some time later I had stumbled on a video that had been filmed only miles from where I had found these strange clues, it was a video of a man taking his two dogs for a wilderness walk and they were going crazy over something that the dogs could see or had the scent of but the dog owner was perplexed over. When I looked at the film closely I could make out an obvious “blob-squatch” in a thicket just a bit down hill from the trail they were on and this was the focus of the dogs attention. I contacted the dog owner and found the precise location of the film. I headed up to the area as soon as I could and found the exact location. No definitive footprints were left in the soil but there were many branch breaks, a possible nest and two nice flint-like crude stone hand axes. My third day in the area I came upon a married couple, a husband and wife team, they had entered the area with bright orange Hefty trash bags and were there for the express purpose of cleaning up a small stream bed area where some unscrupulous individual had left a great deal of trash. I chatted with the couple for several minutes and they went down into the stream bed and headed east along the stream picking up trash as they went along. I stayed up on the upper trail where I had an excellent vantage point of the riparian zone of the steam bed up to the bottom of the adjacent hills that created a sort of alluvium looking area. I sat and ate a granola bar, the peanut butter kind and has a shower of crumbs with each bite. In the distance I saw the man carrying one of the orange Hefty trash bags full of trash, he came out of the river bed and then dropped it on the trail, so as to gather it up later. When the man reentered the river bed I saw something simultaneously, and quite effortlessly, climb out of the river bed on the other side of him, it was black, very thick, hunched over and seemed to glide as apposed to lumber along like a bear and it was on two feet. I was so inthralled by what I was witnessing that the thought of lifting my camera or firearm never even entered my mind. I can’t say for sure it was a Bigfoot, I thought perhaps it was a really fat black robed Catholic priest very chubby black robed Jewish Rabbi that had been pumping iron at the gym for quite some time. I hiked over to the spot where the really large religious specialist had climbed out of the stream bed and glided across the trail and I could see the sliding dirt from the climb on the slope and some foot shaped scuff marks in the dirt but nothin definitive. The next week I located several large teepee structures, I sent photos of the teepee structures to expert Bigfoot researcher Daniel Perez. Mr Perez stated that there is no teepee structures that have been found in context with a Bigfoot sighting or in context with any definitive footprints. The next deer season I was in the upper region of a nearby canyon in the same area, I was with a hunting friend from work, we hiked into a large meadow and up around a large hog back type slope and just as we rounded this hog back it opened up into a theater shaped canyon, we were besieged by a very strong odor, and then some large mushrooms were thrown at us, one hit me in the neck. I scrambled up the hog back slope to see if a Bigfoot was up there, I saw nothing. We camped overnight and early he next morning we hiked up an old jeep road, the kind that has two tire ruts with grass in the middle, it was still dark out with no moon. We sat against a large ponderosa pine tree trunk and we were waiting for the first light of dawn to begin our morning’s hunt. At this point we could hear the sound of four wheel engines coming up the old Jeep trail, then we saw their bright headlights pierce the darkness. The four wheelers stopped when they were about even with our location and a lady climbed off the front four wheeler (quad) and approached us, her flash like beam shining in our eyes. She identified herself as the area fish and game warden. I could see the other four wheeler as it pulled up into the dusty headlight beam of the game warden’s vehicle. It was a large man dressed in camouflage clothing and carried with him what looked like a 50 Caliber sniper riffle, he seemed to have a military air about him. The Warden said that she recommended we evacuate the area as soon as possible as there was a massive grizzly bear within about 30 yards of us and its head was as large as a beach ball. All we had was bolt action deer riffles, a 270 Winchester with scope, no good in the dark and no match for a massive grizzly and A 30.6 with scope, no bear spray, no side arms. We got to our feet and started down the old Jeep road at a fairly good pace. When we finally got the the main dirt road where our or quad was parked . There, by our motor vehicle, was two other hunters standing there, a middle aged man and his teenage son. We told them about the grizzly but they said they had already been warned, the father hunter said; “we were so close we could smell the animal and it was overwhelming” and then he said “we could hear it” and then he said “it did not sound like any bear”. The game warden head lights were heading through the dark forest toward us and we started up the quad and drove along with the dawn’s early light back to our base camp. I had no other possible Bigfoot type encounters until last summer when I was in the same area in July. I was picking wild huckleberries, a seasonal tradition in the Idaho panhandle, when I happened to look down and saw a large foot print in the dust below one of the huckleberry bushes. This time I had a side arm and bear spray so I felt a bit more at ease. As I resumed picking berries, I was startled by movement in the berry patch, it was an old timer out picking, I said “be careful I saw some bear a tracks,” he chuckled and said “are you sure they weren’t Sasquatch tracks?” I was surprised at his comment, but was unsure if he was joking or serious. That night there was a really bright full moon and I had heart burn, so I didn’t sleep too well. The next morning I was making some “Cousin T’s” pancakes on my old Colman stove and another berry picker pulled up in an old white Ford F150 pick up truck and asked if I had a good huckleberry berry patch, I said I did and I asked him to share some of my fresh grilled Cousin T’s pancakes, he said “don’t mind if I do.” As we scarfed down on the syrup drenched cakes he noticed the Bigfoot number sticker on my old Series II Land Rover, “what do you think about the Bigfoot phenomenon?” He asked . I said; “well, to tell you the truth I might have seen some tracks in the dust underneath the huckleberry bushes yesterday” and he said I have some wild stories to tell ya, until now I couldn’t find anyone that I felt comfortable telling” and then he started telling me what happened that last night under the moon lit forest. “It started out as a tree knock” he said “and my friends and I joked about it, but then this most ungodly howl came echoing across the mountain side and then another and it went of for hours, we were terrified, I had some Mike’s Raspberry-Lemonade Hard Cider and I guzzled it down, it was the raspberry flavor and smell I think the Sasquatch liked the smell of the cider or maybe our Bbq of some fresh carne asada steak, the raspberry cider went down like soda, I was scared of the howls and what ever beast made them but I finally drank myself to sleep, when I woke up this morning I was the only one in camp, they all took off under the vail of night as I slept. “ The next story the fellow told me, as pancake residue dripped off his beard, was that he was just a few miles East of our location, last deer season, close to where the alleged giant grizzly was, he was hiking to his deer hunting tree stand and he saw some obvious Bigfoot prints in the dirt, he was in a hurry to get up in his tree stand and get situated before it got any later in the morning, he was going to photograph the prints and measure them on the way back to his truck after his days hunt. He said that afternoon he came upon the place where the tracks were and all that was there in the dirt was brush marks and he said it looked like a massive hairy arm had brushed away the tracks in the dirt like a broom, he said he could see clear imprints of the arm shaped hair patterns still in the dusty dirt. As a cold gray winter set in on the Idaho panhandle the forest was covered with a deep blanket of snow, the trees looked like marshmallows and snow shoes were required to walk any distance at all. The roads in the upper elevation were iced over and covered with snow, traveling on them was hazardous at best. I managed to get within a few miles of the Sasquatch area and set up two game camera’s near a snow covered teepee structure that was adjacent to a half frozen over stream. I identified several footprints but they were not very good ones, not definitive . I walked out of the area with her spray and side arm close at hand. There was an eerie feeling in those lonely frozen woods, I was alone and in an area rich with moose, elk, mountain lion, wolf, slumbering bears and possibly a massive bull Sasquatch! As I excited the canyon I felt a feeling of relief to see my old Land Rover sitting silently against a snow bank near the road. I removed my elongate snow shoes and back pack and started putting them in the Rover when I noticed a trackway in the snow, it went from the iced over steam bed across the road and up the side of a snow filled mountain. I was fascinated by this and put my bulky snow shoes back on my nearly frost biten feet and headed toward the tracks. I had remembered something Dr. Meldrum had said about tracks in the snow; they look like a Bigfoot a track way until you get right over them and look down and then you can see the correct imprint of the track maker” It was quit a laborious task to get over to the tracks, but I did it! I then did as Dr. Meldrum suggested and looked down into the track hole, it was about 15 inches pressed downward deep into the snow compressing the actual print into a blues ice at the bottom of the hole. There it was, an obvious and quite massive moose hoof print in each of the dozens of track holes, dang! Two weeks later I returned to the area to retrieve my game cameras, when I got close to my camera trap area I could see the bait I left was gone; peanut butter, sardines , popped pop corn and several apples. The first camera was difficult to get too, as the snow had gotten much thicker in the last two weeks, I found I had set the trail cam wrong and there were no images on it. Discouraged by my blunder I continued to the second game camera strapped to a tree 10 yards away, “pay dirt” 20” images! I had visions of being on late night TV talk shows with my newly acquired Bigfoot proof. I pulled out the photo card with my cold ungloved hand and put it in my regular camera to view the images, what I saw first were two gray squirrels eating the pop corn, then a black squirrel came around and then, what really surprised me was the images of a pack of large muscular wild dogs, how rare would that be in an area with a viable breeding wolf pack? Wolves are known to kill everything canine when they enter a new area adjacent to their home range. When I gazed upon the photos in the tiny iced over screen I noticed something disturbing, something all Bigfoot researchers should know, I had left a full jar of peanut butter with the lid on it, I was told that Bigfoot would be able to unscrew the lid and get to the tasty peanut butter inside. The truth was that the wild dog pack had chewed off the peanut butter jar lid, both lid and bottle were plastic, this had cut one of the wild dogs mouth and its blood droplets were visible profusely along with their tracks in the snow. The red blood against the glowing white snow and ices was quite a contrast so I was able to track the pack of dogs very easily but the trail literally went cold when the tracks went up a very steep and deep snow pack. So do not do the old peanut butter jar trick, it hurts animals. On the way out of the canyon I went over and cleaned up my camera trap area, leave no trace! In the short time since I left to track the dog pack there appeared several large Bigfoot foot prints in the snow, one was a small ape like print in the vicinity and some of them were ontop of my snow shoe prints. This as a bit disconcerting, then I heard the crusty snow crunching about 20 yards north of my location at the camera trap, I saw something in the thicket and it was walking through the dense snow covered foliage and thicket of branches and they were snapping as the subject went down the slope toward the stream bed below, which was in proximity to the snow covered teepee structure I had seen earlier. I latched on to my bear splay with my left hand and took a quick photo with my right hand. I did not see much with my naked eye but later, when I looked at my photos I had one of the best “blob-squatch” photos I have ever seen! On my way home I passed a frozen over lake and decided to take one last snowshoe walk around the shore line. In the distance I could see some human figures, very far off, so they looked very small, I looked through my binoculars and saw they were ice fisherman and they had drilled a hole through the thick ice and were ice fishing. I could see their sled tracks across the ice field, given that a heavy object had just crossed the ice, I felt it was safe to walk on. I walked on the ice for quite some time and distance and I found a boulder that had been thrown from the shore and had bounced across the ice. It was so cold that a rock that size could not be pulled loose from the frozen ground and certainly could not have been thrown that far by a human being. I went a bit further and found two dead moose, their bodies frozen in the ice. I spoke to Native American tracker, Thomas Sewid, and he told me that the Sasquatch had thrown the boulder onto the ice to test it , to make sure it’s massive body weight could safely cross the ice without falling through. While tracking Bigfoot a pattern emerges, they seem to have seasonal routes within their home range. Furthermore, one can see how Bigfoot fits into the environment and in-fact is an interact part of its habitat. If Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, were considered a flesh and blood animal, it is interesting to imagine its potential symbiotic relationship with the wilderness of the Northwest region of America. Keep in mind that the existence of Sasquatch as a real animal is speculative and not scientifically proven. However, for the purpose of this scenario, let's explore a hypothetical symbiotic relationship between Sasquatch and the Northwest wilderness: 1. Ecosystem Balance: Sasquatch could play a role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem in the Northwest. As an apex predator, it might regulate populations of herbivores and smaller predators, ensuring a healthy equilibrium within the food web. By controlling herbivore populations, Sasquatch could indirectly impact plant communities and help maintain the diversity of the region's flora. 2. Seed Dispersal: Sasquatch's large size and roaming habits could contribute to seed dispersal across vast distances. Seeds from various plant species may get stuck to its fur or carried in its digestive system, aiding in the dispersal of seeds and promoting plant growth in different areas. This would enhance the genetic diversity and distribution of plants within the Northwest wilderness. 3. Forest Management: Sasquatch, with its large stature and potential for constructing shelters or nests, might unintentionally contribute to forest management. By clearing underbrush or toppling dead trees during its movements, Sasquatch could create natural clearings and openings in the forest. These spaces could encourage the growth of new vegetation, benefitting other wildlife species that rely on diverse habitat structures. 4. Scavenging and Decomposition: If Sasquatch possesses scavenging tendencies, it could consume carcasses left behind by other animals. This behavior would help in the natural process of decomposition, accelerating nutrient cycling in the ecosystem. By scavenging on carcasses, Sasquatch could prevent the accumulation of rotting organic matter and contribute to nutrient availability in the soil, benefiting plant growth. 5. Biotic Interaction: Sasquatch's presence in the Northwest wilderness could have a cascading effect on other species. Its interactions with the environment, such as marking territories, vocalizations, or communication through pheromones, could indirectly impact the behavior of smaller animals and potentially influence their distribution, social dynamics, or foraging patterns. This would create a complex web of ecological connections within the ecosystem. It's important to reiterate that these points are purely speculative and based on hypothetical assumptions about the behavior and characteristics of Sasquatch if it were considered a flesh and blood animal. The actual ecological role of Sasquatch, if it were real, would require extensive scientific study and investigation to ascertain. Why a dead Bigfoot specimen would be beneficial: The mystery of Bigfoot or Sasquatch is a topic of interest to many people, and there are differing opinions regarding its scientific importance. However, from a scientific standpoint, there are a few reasons why the discovery and study of a Bigfoot specimen would be significant: 1. Verification of existence: Bigfoot or Sasquatch is often considered a cryptid, a creature whose existence has been reported but not scientifically proven. The discovery of a dead specimen would provide concrete evidence of its existence, confirming its status as a real biological entity rather than a mythical creature. It would validate the claims and experiences of those who have reported sightings and encounters, which could have implications for fields such as anthropology, primatology, and zoology. 2. Taxonomy and classification: If a Bigfoot specimen were to be discovered and confirmed, it would allow for a detailed scientific examination and classification of the creature. This could help determine its place in the tree of life, its evolutionary history, and its relationship to other known species. Understanding the biology, behavior, and genetics of Bigfoot could provide valuable insights into the diversity of life on Earth and contribute to our knowledge of primate evolution. 3. Conservation and habitat preservation: Discovering a new species, especially one as enigmatic as Bigfoot, could have significant conservation implications. It would highlight the importance of preserving the habitats where these creatures live, ensuring their survival and protecting biodiversity. It could also lead to the identification of previously unknown habitats and ecosystems that require conservation efforts. Regarding the requirement for a dead specimen, it's important to note that science generally relies on empirical evidence and physical specimens for rigorous examination and analysis. A physical specimen provides scientists with the opportunity to conduct detailed studies, including morphological, genetic, and physiological analyses. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of the creature and its characteristics, which is crucial for scientific validation and acceptance. While eyewitness testimonies, photographs, and videos can be intriguing, they are often subjective and can be influenced by various factors such as misperception, hoaxes, or cultural beliefs. A verifiable and scientifically examined specimen would provide objective evidence that can be independently evaluated, scrutinized, and replicated by the scientific community. However, it's worth noting that the possibility of discovering a Bigfoot specimen is highly debated within the scientific community. Some scientists consider the existence of Bigfoot unlikely due to the lack of compelling evidence despite extensive searches and investigations. Others remain open to the possibility but require substantial empirical evidence before reaching any conclusions. Why am I “tacking” the bull squatch and not “hunting” the animal? The question of whether it would be unethical to kill a rare and endangered species, even for scientific purposes, is a complex and subjective matter that depends on various ethical frameworks and considerations. However, I can provide you with some perspectives that might be relevant to this hypothetical scenario. 1. Conservation Ethics: From a conservation perspective, killing a rare and endangered species like Bigfoot would generally be considered unethical. The primary goal of conservation is to protect and preserve species, especially those facing extinction. Killing an individual of such a species would undermine conservation efforts and potentially harm the population's chances of survival. 2. Animal Rights: Many ethical frameworks emphasize the inherent value and rights of individual animals. Killing an endangered species for scientific verification may be seen as a violation of these rights, as it prioritizes human interests over the life and well-being of the individual animal. 3. Alternatives to Killing: In the field of science, there is often a pursuit of knowledge, but it is crucial to explore alternative methods that minimize harm to individuals and populations. Non-invasive research techniques, such as observation, tracking, DNA sampling, and remote monitoring, can provide valuable insights without the need to harm or kill the animal in question. 4. Scientific Advancement and Peer Review: Scientific progress relies on rigorous peer review and replication of findings. While obtaining a physical specimen might provide valuable data, it is important to consider whether the potential harm caused by killing a rare and endangered species outweighs the benefits gained from the scientific verification. Ultimately, the question of ethics is a matter of personal and societal values. However, considering the principles of conservation, animal rights, and the pursuit of alternatives, many people would likely argue against killing a rare and endangered species like Bigfoot for scientific verification. Tracking an animal can give the tracker an idea of the daily life, the life of the subject. Just as a detective builds a profile on a suspect or an archaeologist uncovers ancient life ways. The tracker puts together a storyboard of the subjects daily routine, at lease that is what I endeavor to do. The Day In The Life OF Northwest BigFoot, Compare This To Skunk Ape: In the dense forests of Northwest America, the day in the life of a Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, would be characterized by a combination of survival instincts, territoriality, and a deep connection with its natural environment. While the existence of Sasquatch remains speculative, let's imagine a hypothetical scenario for a flesh and blood creature. Morning: As dawn breaks over the towering trees, the Sasquatch emerges from its crude, hidden shelter crafted from branches and foliage. It stretches its massive, muscular frame and scans the surroundings for potential dangers or intruders. The creature possesses a keen sense of smell, which it uses to detect the presence of other animals, including humans. The Sasquatch's day begins with foraging for sustenance. It traverses the forest with remarkable agility, relying on its powerful legs and dexterous feet to navigate uneven terrain. It seeks out berries, nuts, roots, and edible vegetation, supplementing its diet with occasional small game like rabbits or birds. The creature's strength allows it to effortlessly break open nuts and tear apart tree bark to access nutrient-rich insects. Afternoon: As the sun reaches its zenith, the Sasquatch takes advantage of the relative safety and tranquility of the forest to rest and groom itself. The creature possesses a thick, coarse coat that provides insulation against the elements, and it uses its long, strong fingers to meticulously clean and groom its fur, removing dirt and parasites. The Sasquatch also takes this time to bask in patches of sunlight filtering through the forest canopy, warming its body and absorbing vital vitamin D. Throughout the afternoon, the Sasquatch continues to explore its territory, marking trees with its distinctive scent. This territorial behavior is crucial for communication and warding off potential rivals. The Sasquatch's vocalizations range from deep, resonating roars to subtle grunts and whistles, enabling it to communicate with others of its kind over long distances. Evening: As twilight descends, the Sasquatch becomes more active again. It embarks on nocturnal expeditions in search of water sources, which can include rivers, streams, or natural springs. Here, it quenches its thirst and, if fortunate, catches fish or aquatic creatures to supplement its diet. Night: Under the cover of darkness, the Sasquatch's enhanced night vision, acute hearing, and stealthy movements give it a distinct advantage over other nocturnal creatures. It prowls the forest, primarily focused on hunting. Using its intelligence and keen senses, the Sasquatch targets larger prey, such as deer or elk. With powerful arms and immense strength, it can overpower its quarry, relying on its large teeth and sharp claws to secure a meal. Between hunting excursions, the Sasquatch may engage in social interactions, either with potential mates or within a small family group if it exists. These interactions can involve complex gestures, body language, and vocalizations, facilitating communication and maintaining social bonds. Groups howl at the moon like a wolf, partake in nocturnal communications such as tree knocking, screaming, rock clanking (or flintknapping) and Samurai chatter. As the night draws to a close, the Sasquatch seeks out a safe and secluded spot to rest, finding solace in the comforting embrace of the forest. It curls up, using its thick fur as insulation against the chill of the night, and drifts into a deep slumber, recharging its formidable strength for another day in the vast wilderness. Note: It is important to reiterate that Sasquatch's existence remains unverified, and the description above is purely speculative, drawing upon popular folklore and accounts associated with the creature, Cliff Barackman states that Bigfoot subjects are creatures of habit and return to their favorite areas and they seem to maintain daily habits such as those I have documented above. Tracking The Bull Squatch Has Given Me A Sense Of Its Life Cycle. When we spent a large amount of time in. The deep wilderness. In all four seasons we can imagine Sasquatch as a real flesh and blood animal in the Pacific Northwest, we can speculate about its hypothetical life cycle based on typical patterns observed in other large mammals. However, it's important to note that Sasquatch is a creature of folklore and has no scientific evidence to support its existence. With that in mind, here's a speculative description of a hypothetical Sasquatch life cycle: 1. Birth: Sasquatch offspring, known as juveniles, would likely be born in the spring or summer months. The gestation period might last for several months, similar to other large mammals. 2. Childhood and Growth: Young Sasquatches would require nurturing and protection from their parents or adult members of their social group. During this stage, they would learn important survival skills such as foraging, communication, and navigation in the forested environment. 3. Maturity: As Sasquatches mature, they would reach reproductive age, which might occur around their teenage years or early adulthood. At this point, they would actively seek out potential mates during the breeding season. 4. Breeding Season: Similar to other mammals, Sasquatches might have a specific time of year when they engage in mating behaviors. This period could be marked by increased vocalizations, scent marking, and physical displays to attract mates. 5. Reproduction: If Sasquatches were real, they would likely reproduce sexually. After successful mating, the female Sasquatch would experience a gestation period of several months before giving birth to a single offspring or, less commonly, twins. 6. Parental Care: Both male and female Sasquatches would likely play a role in raising their young. The parents would provide nourishment, teach their offspring essential survival skills, and offer protection from potential threats in their environment. 7. Adult Life: Once the Sasquatches reach adulthood, they would continue their lives as independent individuals or within a social group. They would navigate the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest, foraging for food, establishing territories, and maintaining communication with other Sasquatches using a combination of vocalizations, gestures, and possibly scent marking. 8. Aging and Mortality: Like any other living creature, Sasquatches would experience aging and eventually face mortality. Factors such as predation, disease, accidents, or natural causes would likely contribute to the lifespan and mortality of individual Sasquatches. Again, it's important to reiterate that the existence of Sasquatch remains purely speculative and lacks scientific evidence. The description provided here is an imaginative representation based on the hypothetical assumption that Sasquatch is a real, flesh and blood animal The question most Bigfoot researchers get is why is there no bones and why do game cameras not work. Well in the word’s of Cliff Barackman:“game cameras absolutely work very well! “ The issue is there is a very large area to search and very few Bigfoot subjects out there, cut and dried. As for why there is no bones or body, I think actually, that is not really the case, there has been several and their stories are not hard to find. So I think there is a lot of evidence, no one is cataloging and identifying bone scatters in the woods, I mean other than myself, and no one is looking through museum bone collection to find the rare odd bones from the Sasquatch. Hypothetically, if Bigfoot were a flesh and blood animal, there are several reasons why their bones might not have been found: 1. Scavengers and Decomposition: Like any other animal, the remains of Bigfoot would be subject to scavenging by other animals. If Bigfoot's carcass were left exposed for an extended period, it could attract various scavengers such as bears, wolves, or birds of prey, which would quickly consume the flesh and scatter the bones. Additionally, decomposition processes, including microbial activity and weathering, could contribute to the breakdown of the bones, making them harder to find. 2. Remote Habitat: Bigfoot is often associated with remote and densely forested areas, which can make it challenging to locate and access potential resting places or burial sites. Thick vegetation, rugged terrain, and limited human presence in these regions could make it less likely for bones to be stumbled upon or discovered by chance. 3. Burial Behavior: If Bigfoot possesses burial behavior similar to some primates or hominids, it might intentionally bury its dead or cover them with vegetation, thus protecting the remains from scavengers and the elements. This burial behavior, coupled with the remote habitat, would further decrease the chances of finding Bigfoot bones. 4. Low Population Density: It is possible that the population density of Bigfoot is relatively low. If this is the case, encounters with Bigfoot, including instances where individuals die, would be infrequent. With a sparse population spread across vast areas, the odds of finding Bigfoot remains would be significantly reduced. 5. Camouflage and Evasive Behavior: Bigfoot is often described as a highly elusive creature that is adept at avoiding human contact. If Bigfoot possesses advanced camouflage abilities or exhibits cautious and evasive behavior, it would be extremely challenging for humans to track or observe them closely enough to find their bones. 6. Limited Human Interaction: Assuming Bigfoot has existed for a long time, it is plausible that human encounters with the creature have been rare or limited until recent times. Therefore, the opportunity for humans to stumble upon Bigfoot remains would have been historically minimal, further reducing the chances of finding bones. It is important to note that the existence of Bigfoot remains purely hypothetical, and no conclusive scientific evidence has been found to support its existence. In conclusion , there is much more evidence than a brief scan of the subject matter reveals. There is much more than meets the eye. So, my quest continues, 10 years so far chasing the same Bigfoot, “tracking the bull Squatch,” I conclude my story with an endearing quote from pioneer naturalist, John Muir “Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life”