Update: High School Principal Chasing Bigfoot
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on August 2nd, 2007
David Raygoza shows off a film clip about Bigfoot at Fatte Albert’s Tuesday evening. (Gary Feinstein/The Sentinel)
Bigfoot symposium brings out a mixture of opinions
So what do local residents think of the Bigfoot phenomenon?
A lot of different things, based on reactions to a Bigfoot symposium held Tuesday night at Fatte Albert’s Pizza.
David Raygoza, a continuation high school principal from Fresno, was there to present videotape, photographs and anecdotal accounts he’s collected over the years as an avid Bigfoot hunter searching in Sequoia National Forest.
As Raygoza showed the images on a big screen television, some Fatte Albert’s patrons watched avidly, others showed mild interest and some ignored the presentation altogether.
Skepticism was most pronounced at the back of the restaurant.
“I think they’re full of crap. Come on, think about it. How do you know that somebody’s not … dressing up like Chewbacca in the woods?,” said Daniel Zander, a medical records clerk at Hanford Community Medical Center.
“The way I see it, it’s just like aliens,” said Billy Scroggins, an employee at a Hanford well-drilling company.
Some were more inclined to reserve judgment.
“We just wanted to see what it’s all about. We lived in Washington for a while,” said Tom Switajewski, a civil servant at Lemoore Naval Air Station there with his wife, Irene.
Switajewski expressed doubts about Bigfoot’s actual existence.
“That’s hard to say, because there is some evidence,” he said.
“I give him an ‘A’ for trying. I think he could have better footage. I just don’t think he has enough facts behind it,” said Nick Troyer, a shipping manager from Hanford.
“Truthfully, if they had better videotape, I mean, I would believe it,” said William Brogdon, a computer builder from Hanford.
Others tended more toward belief.
“Going back in time, there’s always been a Bigfoot,” said Bill Manser, owner of Hanford Office Machines.
“It’s sort of a liaison between man and the animal kingdom,” said Manser, who identified himself as an American Indian.
“There’s been way too many people who’ve noticed it. There’s obviously something out there,” said Anthony Salgado, a social worker from Fresno who came to hear Raygoza.
Perhaps the most fervent advocate was 11-year-old Brendan Haley, from Carmel.
Haley said he and his father, Bruce, happened to be in Lemoore visiting a relative when they heard about the symposium.
“Well, I’m just basically convinced,” Haley said.
His dad wasn’t in exact agreement.
“With Bigfoot, I tend to keep more of an open mind. I’m a cynic and a skeptic, but I keep an open mind on that. It’s conceivable that something that wanted to stay hidden could,” Bruce Haley said.
Reached by telephone after it was over, Raygoza expressed optimism that stronger evidence will emerge.
“I think everyone wants to do something significant in their lives. I believe there are people closing in on this,” he said.Seth Nidever
Hanford Sentinel
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
If you say nothing to anyone about were you are going and go for a hike in the deep woods or a bug infested swamp and see big foot prints or a big furry creature and you are not prone to drinking. well how did the guy is the suit know you would be there in that place and time. I don’t buy the suit theories.
When someone reports a sighting along a road who can be sure that its not someone having “fun”. Sighting from the back woods, miles from civilization are quite a different story.
Regards
I would have told the “suit guy” that yes there has been some idiot in a Chewbacca suit running around North America for at least 500 years scaring people.
“I think they’re full of crap. Come on, think about it. How do you know that somebody’s not … dressing up like Chewbacca in the woods?,” said Daniel Zander, a medical records clerk at Hanford Community Medical Center.
Apparently Daniel has never seen a person in an ape suit or he would know the difference. How can someone say another is full of crap, as he sits in office all day every day. Besides, Chewbacca looks nothing BigFoot.
Surprising how many people will sound off with authority about things they know nothing about, ain’t it?
I agree with Raygoza. In our rapidly shrinking world, if Bigfoot exists, it will only be a matter of time until proven real. I sort of expect, any day now to see headlines on proof of Bigfoot at this site! Just think how exciting it would be, if an actual Sasquatch body was discovered and put on public display! Or imagine the researcher that actually has an encounter with Bigfoot, obtaining clear video proof!
Would that end the Bigfoot saga or be just be the spark? How would laws change regarding outdoor activities and Bigfoot habitat? Would science produce the funds needed for further intensive research? What of the skeptics? Would they change some of their views on other topics such as UFOs? After all, proof positive of Bigfoot would be a big slap in the faces of many! People once thought the world was flat and that the earth was the center of the universe. Proof of Bigfoot might really make some question all their values and thoughts about things in general? And proof of Bigfoot would really have to upset the anthropological apple cart?
Sometimes I wonder if we are mentally ready for proof of Bigfoot? I know that I am and welcome the day. It would not surprise me. I think of Bigfoot as just another creature of the earth. For me, Bigfoot is one of the last great mysteries, but I’m afraid our world has become far too sophisticated, to really care about Bigfoot. Everything seems so electronic these days and as we continue to destroy our planet, surely the future of Bigfoot seems bleak. Yet I often fantasize on having a close encounter with Bigfoot. I enjoy the outdoors and have mentally prepared myself for such an encounter. That would be a great day!
Why even try to convince people!? If they believe, then who cares. I don’t waste time trying to prove it. I know what I believe, and we know it’s out there.
hey craig & everyone this is a very informative new article about bigfoot. thanks bill green 🙂
Craig did you ever get in touch with him again about the vid. or pics he was going to send you at one time???
Cryptoman — Could not have said it any better than you. Some do some don’t. But I know what I know he exists.
Well said DARHOP…it’s easy for these pencil pushing so called “academias” to dispell any outdoorsmen who claims to have seen Bigfoot or experienced something out of the norm in a remote setting. I used to be befuddled when I would take the like to a remote area and find them in awe of their surroundings as if they have never left their computer or desktop, which obviously they hadn’t. It’s one thing to go”camping” at a popular campground rather than to go off the beaten path for once in their life. People never fail to disappoint you.
Rumour has it that Raygoza wants people to go to his bigfoot site, but he refuses to stay more than one night away from his wife, and he refuses to visit anyone else so as to prove he is not a flake by showing up.
Hugmmgh!
Re: bigfoot suits
Wearing such a suit near any rural road is quick suicide.
People will shoot you.