Bigfoot Research: Persistence
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on May 27th, 2006
As Loren alluded to in his comment here on Cryptomundo, and one of the points that Rick Noll made and I was trying to reinforce here on Cryptomundo, is that it takes patience and persistence. Hopefully, this post will give folks something to think about over the Memorial Day Weekend.
This piece was authored by William York who passed away on November 12, 2003. This courtesy of Loren Coleman.
"Persistence is the Most Important Attribute to a Bigfoot Researcher" by William York, Doctor of Science in Wildlife Biology
Those who search for Bigfoot are certain to experience much disappointment and frustration. Starting with high excitement and enthusiasm, most casual searchers soon become frustrated by the lack of actual sight or sound of the creatures. Despite, perhaps, an abundance of evidence, a failure to have more tangible contact causes a reduction in enthusiasm and many people give up after only a few trips into Bigfoot country.
I have just returned from a weekend trip (September 9th and 10th) with Dr. Matthew Johnson, psychologist, who actually saw a Bigfoot while hiking with his family on July 1, 2000. Several of Dr. Johnson’s friends were also of the party. We discovered a good deal of evidence indicative of the recent presence of Bigfoot in the area of search (i.e., snapped trees, bedding area, large foot impressions, etc.). We even had a nocturnal visitation by a very large animal on Saturday evening, but no actual confirmed sighting of Bigfoot. Although very sporting in their comments, I did note disappointment and believe that some of the party will not continue to search for Bigfoot in the future.
Being a neophyte in the Bigfoot field, I held low expectations. Matter of fact, I began our research expedition as a skeptic and stated as such at the end of our time together. I was, however, thrilled by the indisputable evidence we gathered over the weekend. The lack of tangible evidence (i.e., not being able to see Bigfoot) reminded me of my early years as a professional hunter in Africa.
There is a very large (up to 850 lbs) antelope inhabiting the mountain forests of Kenya, called Bongo – Boocercus Eurycerous. It is very secretive and shy and rarely seen. Being a very prized trophy, it was, in past years, hunted by sportsmen, guided by professionals, on many scores of safaris. There are professionals who have conducted a dozen hunts for Bongo and never even seen one.
My experience could have been the same. I conducted six safaris, each about fourteen days long, without seeing a single Bongo. It was deeply frustrating, not to say humiliating, to hunt a known animal, finding abundant sign of its presence, and yet not catching a sight of it. I almost gave up hunting Bongo. On my seventh hunt, however, things changed. Probably because of the past failures, I had acquired a good deal of knowledge and understanding of Bongo. Much of it, no doubt, unconsciously. On this seventh hunt, we were successful in obtaining a fine trophy. Subsequent hunts were equally successful; showing that in fact Bongo were quite numerous, showing that earlier failure was due to the lack of knowledge of Bongo.
From similar experiences with other rare animals, I have concluded that persistence is the most important attribute to a Bigfoot researcher. I fully intend to be persistent, in the complete confidence that I shall eventually have repeated encounters with this elusive and very real creature.
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.
Yep, Patience, Persistence and, sometimes, just plain Luck.
Good morning Bigfooters….
In thirty-five years of daily trips through the oilfields of eastern Oklahoma while driving millions of miles through prime habitat…I’ve had two clear unequivocal sightings….these are extremely secretive, intelligent creatures….who avoid human contact except in the most rare circumstances….JMHO
Without our help and efforts at preservation their plight will continue to worsen as the resources of prime sasquatch habitat are exploited for their treasure…planned resource development and protection of endangered species are not mutually exclusive…common sense is the critical component…JMHO
The habituations referenced in Thom Powell’s book “The Locals”….show us a way to verify, validate, and protect these wondrous creatures…we should be looking for migrating family groups rather than rogue individuals or genetic defectives…IMHO
While intrepid researchers scour the forests, alluvial plains and swamps….in the final analysis I’m betting habituation and co-habitation becomes the “Gold Standard”…JMHO
A systematic search of county land records of tracts adjoining wilderness areas and habitat….with an aggressive campaign of “habituation awareness” targeted to folks living in areas prone to habituation…or…as an example….most rural electric co-ops have a monthly newsletter….get the word out to rural meter readers, postal workers and feed stores….eventually the phone will ring….
This blog working with similar groups form a network which could assist in the “quest”…rather than argue the inane….JMHO
When looking for a creature living in the woods…ask someone who works and lives in the woods.
Have a safe weekend….thank a Vet for your freedom…say a prayer for those in harms way…
seeing is believing…
ole bub and the dawgs
Nice post, Bub…
As I have said in past blogs, alot of people are seeing these animals, tracks, bedding areas, tree breaks, are being found all over the U.S. There something doing this. So why is main stream science still turning their back on it? With the number of reports that come in every year, you would think that maybe a University or two would do a field study on Bigfoot, I would think that they would be a little interested on the subject. At least to try and show that its not real or something.
I can remember watching a special on bigfoot once, not sure which one. in it the researcher was asking around some small mountain town in washington or oregon. all the townsfolk pointed him to one gentlemen that lived alone out in the woods. the researcher went out and talked to him, and the guy was a fountain of information. now i’m sure some of it was embellished for tv, but he said that his logging road was like a boundry line between two clans, and he described how they had territorial clashes and things, and even showd where they were, pointing out the broken branches. the researcher stayed one or two nights, and heard some noises but didn’t see anything. the old guy said of course not, but if you stay for a couple weeks or so, and let them get used to your scent, then you will see them..of course the researcher was unable to…..now if that was me I would be calling into work saying sorry guys I need a vacation…what would you do?…..ps anyone else see that show?
Good evening Traveler…
I saw the same show and had the same thoughts…I also can’t remember the specific name of the special…the sightings and habituations are out there…I’m convinced of that…JMHO
seeing is believing…
ole bub and the dawgs
Is it the show that the guy was saying that they would leave him gifts, and they would leave the area when someone new would come around?
Thanks Craig for starting this post, and everyone’s contribution. Sometimes you have to put this research thing in perspective like William York did.
Mike….I vaguely remember the special mentioned….perhaps its the same show….it has been a few years ago….
I was particularly struck by the individual mentioned and his interaction and possible habituation….
Habituation of wildlife is fairly easy once they lose their fear and accept your offerings…we had wild turkeys pecking on the windows and deer on the deck….wanting more feed…why not sasquatch…JMHO
seeing is believing…
ole bub and the dawgs
Ole Bud,
I think it is that program, and like you
I can not remember the name of it. Have a great Memorial Day.
If Marie Curie hadn’t believed, if Fleming hadn’t believed etc. we would not have the treatments we have for disease now. It’s about resilience, guys, I’ve become like one of those wobbly men…you knock me down and I bounce back and bop you one. All the great scientists had people say at one time or another thats rubbish. I was told on friday…you should be trying to prove the provable, trying to solve the solvable…I ask you guys where’s the fun in that? 🙂
I saw the show about the guy he was the keeper of a logging company. He lived their and took care of the equipment. He did state that when the regulars workers showed up the BF left the area. He stated he was the only one they would come around because of his years in this area he had never ever done anything but let them be. he said he had built a trust up with them and he would never break it. On the article with more and more land being developed at a rapid pace it should only be the thought process that the more living space animals loose the more they will be seen by the public. And yes even BF someday soon will find it hard to not be seen.
Yep
well im glad im not the only one that saw that one. i belive the gift we are talking about was a peice of bark,. and it was left after an encounter that happened at night. the guy was checking things our with a flashlight and came across bf walking across a road. he shut off his light and walked away. the next day the bark was there as kind of a ty…..
Hello everyone. I have a cottage in a very remote area in Ontario. Over the last several years I believe that BF has been making themselves known to us or maybe just having fun with us. On three separate occasions we have had the side of the cottage slapped in the middle of the night. Once there was several whooping calls almost like the sound of a gorilla but extremely loud. All on the same side of the cottage that gets slapped. Last year (2007) May 24 weekend we had another late night visitor. We could hear it walking around outside the cottage around 2 or 3 am.
It is so dark up there you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Anyway, eventually we fell asleep. When we woke the next morning, I went outside to look around. To my surprise there was a large boulder in front of my car! It weighed approximately 200 lbs. I found where it was taken from about 60 feet away. There were no prints or marks anywhere. I don’t think of this as a gift but more like a way of saying go away. I don’t know. We built this cottage about 23 years ago and right from day one I have always felt like I am being watched there.