Matt Crowley

*Photo of Matt Crowley*


I became interested in Sasquatch as a child growing up in Montana. I had seen a film about Bigfoot when I was quite young on the University of Montana campus. It was most likely Roger Patterson’s original documentary. I read John Green’s book On the Track of the Sasquatch when I was about 9. My interest began to fade in the mid 1970’s, as I simply stopped hearing about the subject in the mainstream media. My interest was awakened in 2000 by an Internet story on the Skookum cast. As I “caught up” on Bigfoot, I was particularly intrigued by the “dermal ridge” evidence. I read everything I could about this subject. Despite everything that I read, one question that was not addressed in what I read nagged at me; could soil really capture features as fine as dermal ridges, and could cement casts really capture detail that fine? Since I was not finding the answer in what I read, I decided to simply find out for myself. I made a cast of my own foot in a very fine mineral powder called fly ash. Indeed, I saw my own dermal ridges. But in addition, I saw other ridges, casting artifacts, which were not my own. About this time I watched the Sasquatch; Legend Meets Science DVD. The program contained a quick shot of a Sasquatch cast that was claimed to contain dermal ridges. I saw a degree of similarity and I began to investigate. Under certain conditions, cement casts can spontainously form ridges that might be interpreted as dermal ridges. My presentation “Dermal Ridges and Casting Artifacts” is about how these ridges can occur on cement casts.

Its Friday.

Well, it's the morning after the big "X-Zone" program. As we all know, Tom Biscardi was not in attendance to discuss his 8 State tour, attempting to put a Bigfoot in captivity. Who was the person interviewed? Robert Morgan. I need more time to read up on Mr. Morgan, he certainly seems interesting, at least from what I heard last night. But, I will reserve my opinion until I read more about him - I will then decide.

Which brings me to my next point.

I have read many blogs and websites this week, trying to find good articles to read and discuss here. One thing I noticed, I could not help but notice because it jumps right out at you, is the numbers of bloggers and websites that complain every time a new Bigfoot story comes out.

I read one this morning, found his comments quite interesting. He says he likes to watch the ads posted on his blog, I guess it gives a good indication of the top stories out there. I guess he noticed Bigfoot has been pretty popular lately based on his ad titles. But, instead of discussing the issue - he takes us all to task, saying when one site jumps on a story - we all jump on... I guess he could include himself in that.

There is a bit of hypocracy going on out there.

Researchers in this field are called crack pots and nut cases, on various sites, but the people saying these things (while typing on their blog or website), are hoping to draw in more readers, based on their "critique", thus, boosting the search for the word Bigfoot - and changing this guys ad. See my point here?

This guy and others like him have the right to post anything they want; it makes no difference to me. But, be honest about it. Whether this particular person admits it or not, he too is "jumping" on "A" bandwagon, the Skeptical bandwagon. We need skeptics in this, do not misunderstand me, but be honest about your skepticism. By that I mean read and educate yourself on this research. Are you making your decision based on knowledge or out of ignorance? It's real easy to sit on the sidelines of an issue and make a decision based on little or no information- it's much more difficult to make that decision by reading and searching for information to educate yourself on a particular idea. I challenge this blogger to read Loren Coleman's book, and books by Author Chris Murphy. Read some of the many fantastic articles by John Green. Go to a conference and hold a track cast, look at it closely. Talk to people who have seen this animal or read reports. I know many Skeptics in this field, that have more knowledge about this issue than I do - yet they still keep an open mind to new information.

Skepticism is good, and many Researchers in this field have a very healthy dose of it. That, in my opinion is necessary. Life must be very dull when you close off your mind to new ideas or possibilities. Had it not been for researchers who had the determination and the drive to keep going in the face of scrutiny - you wouldn't have thousands of internet pictures of the Siberian Tiger or the Lowlands Gorilla, or even a Panda, Magnificent animals all. In fact the Lowlands Gorilla or Silverback was nothing but a myth - until it was documented. But, people kept looking.

What a boring world this would be if there was nothing left to discover. Think about that.

Just my opinion.

New Research Group Announces,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathy Strain, Chair of the AIBR
PO Box 4372, Sonora, CA 95370-4372
1-866-415-AIBR or a_i_b_r@yahoo.com

THE ALLIANCE OF INDEPENDENT BIGFOOT RESEARCHERS
ANNOUNCES THE START-UP OF A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND PUBLIC WEBSITE
FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF BIGFOOT

Sacramento, CA – January 24, 2006 – The Alliance of Independent Bigfoot Researchers (AIBR) announce the formation of a new non-profit organization of individuals dedicated to the research and conservation of the species of animal known to the Native Americans for centuries as "Sasquatch", or more recently by many others, as "Bigfoot."

On their new website at www.bigfootresearch.com the AIBR also provides both the public and other researchers a central location to learn more about this elusive creature with links to sounds purported to have been made by Bigfoot as well as sounds made by animals often mistaken for those made by a Bigfoot. The website also has professional papers, methods of conducting research, and a Forum where the public is invited to share information with independent researchers.

The AIBR is different as the members themselves run the organization. An elected Board of Directors provides direction, with a smaller Executive Committee running day-to-day operations between quarterly Board meetings. The AIBR also has a Board of Advisors to counsel the group on ethics and scientific methods. If you have seen a Bigfoot or believe you have ongoing activity in your area that is Bigfoot related, our toll free telephone number is: 1-866-415-AIBR or (2427)
_________________________________________

I would like to send out a personal congratulation to this fine group of people!!!!

O.M.G This Just in :)

Dear `X' Zone Nation:

Tonight's scheduled interview with Tom Biscardi, who is claiming to
be going on a US / Canada Bigfoot expedition has been dropped from
The `X' Zone Radio Show schedule.

The decision to remove Biscardi from tonight's' broadcast schedule
was made after a review of last weeks interview in which Wayne
Burton, who was asked to call into the show by Biscardi, claimed
that his photo of an alleged Bighfoot sighting in Ohio was taken 3 –
4 months ago was not. Burton said that eh had shown the photo to a
friend of his who had passed away. Rob McConnell asked Burton when
his friend died… Burton said over a year ago… McConnell immediately
asked Burton how could he have shown a picture that he took 3 – 4
months ago to someone who had died over a year ago?

Research staff with the help of an `X' Zone listener were able to
find the photo that Burton and Biscardi claim to be taken 3-4 months
ago on the internet with a copyright of July 6 2001.

Thank you

The 'X' Zone Radio Show

January 25, 2006 21:05 PM

Teams To Track Bigfoot

JOHOR BAHARU, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The state government will set up two expedition teams to track "bigfoot", the hairy creature allegedly seen in the forests of Johor.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the teams would be led by experts who would conduct a study on various aspects of the creature as well as to explore the state forest.

He said the expedition to track the creature would be carried out in stages with the cooperation of the Johor National Park Corporation (JNPC).

Get the rest of the story here

Wildlife Biologist Alton Higgins

Like many people involved with this field of research, my interest in the sasquatch dates from childhood. I read everything I could find by Ivan T. Sanderson and was captivated by “The Legend of Boggy Creek” movie. My school chums and I even used to plan expeditions to the Pacific Northwest to trap a bigfoot.

Growing up hunting and fishing, I enjoyed the outdoors and decided to pursue a career involving the study of animals. I enrolled at Arizona State University and earned an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology and a graduate degree in zoology. I was employed through the university and served in different capacities, including working as a field researcher in a variety of locales and ecosystems, ranging from the mixed coniferous forest in eastern Arizona to the riparian systems of the mountains and deserts of central Arizona to the marshes and woodlands of the lower Colorado River valley along the Arizona/California border. Much of this work entailed doing hundreds of wildlife censuses, particularly for birds.

As much as I enjoyed biological fieldwork, I was gone too much to make
a new wife real happy, so I eventually decided to go into education.
After additional schooling and four years teaching junior high math and
science, I moved to Oklahoma in 1989, where I currently reside. I teach in the General Education Department at Mid-America Christian University, an accredited four-year institution. My responsibilities there have varied, but
mostly I’ve taught earth science, biology, and ecology, along with
lower level math courses. I must confess that I gave very little
thought to unknown primates for most of my adult life, although I
remained interested in the occasional sasquatch television documentary.

My perspective changed in 1998.

Southeast of Mt. St. Helens, while on an outing with some cousins, we found, quite by accident, what appeared to be compelling sasquatch evidence. I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I returned home. That experience prompted my first search of the Internet for bigfoot information and my first contact with the BFRO. Shortly thereafter I signed up as a volunteer (as you could do at that time). Soon Matt Moneymaker started sending me a few submissions from Oklahoma to check out, and my involvement with the organization just sort of evolved.

As I studied tracks and other forms of evidence with my own eyes, and
as I met and spoke with eyewitnesses who gave every indication of being
completely sane and honest, I grew increasingly fascinated and
increasingly convinced of the legitimacy of this domain of research. By
sheer luck, I found myself living in a state that produced some unique
and exciting opportunities for evidence collection and evaluation.

That served to initiate a collaboration with BFRO Curator Dr. LeRoy
Fish, with whom it was my pleasure to share ideas and information for
about a year and a half or so. For me and others, he both instructed
and inspired. Following Dr. Fish’s untimely death, Matt M. asked me to
help coordinate the disposition of submitted physical evidence. My
primary areas of interest included overseeing research outings and
related activities in the Oklahoma area, collecting and assessing
physical evidence, and helping advance the knowledge and expertise of the investigators.

Probably the highlight of my years with the BFRO was the September 2003
International Bigfoot Symposium, sponsored by the Willow Creek/China Flat Museum. It seemed like every living sasquatch researcher of note was there. All the scheduled speakers invited by the museum steering committee, with the exception of Dmitri Bayanov, were BFRO curators, so the symposium presented a once in a lifetime opportunity to talk to some outstanding researchers, most of whom I had communicated with for years but never met.

One of the people I ran into at Willow Creek was Craig Woolheater, director of the Texas Bigfoot Research Center. Dr. John Bindernagel, who had spoken at the TBRC’s annual conference the previous year, encouraged me to present my paper at the upcoming conference in Jefferson, Texas. In spite of the late date, Craig was kind enough to work me into the program. Subsequent to that introduction to the TBRC, I started assisting the group with some of their fieldwork.

After my departure from the BFRO in early September 2005, I was able to devote more time toward helping the TBRC in their efforts to validate the existence of the sasquatch.



*I would personally like to thank Professor Alton Higgins for providing me with the article you have just read above.*

TBRC Researcher : Gino

I had visited the website of The Texas Bigfoot Research Center many times before moving to the State of Texas, but once my apartment was put together, I set out to apply for membership. I found the online membership application and crossed my fingers.

Onto the 2005 Texas Bigfoot Conference in Jefferson.

One afternoon during this conference I met Gino. Now, for those of you who do not know who this is, Gino is one of the founding members of the Texas Bigfoot Research Center. He is a business owner - and just the person you want with you in the woods, when your like me and have no idea where you are, or what your doing. Gino has an incredible sense of humor, and we became friends very fast. During that weekend at the conference, Gino like Craig, spent most of his free time with reporters and people who came to see the conference -- so like Craig, Gino missses most of what the conferences have to offer.

During my first "outing" with the TBRC, Gino was always willing to give, and offering advice. Whether it be to the other researchers who had experience, or someone like me. I pay attention when Gino talks - he has more than once gave me good advice that has helped me while out in the field. Gino likes to remain "behind the scenes" preferring the field research to the media events. Gino is absolutely an asset in the field. Gino's dedication and commitment to this research is a great source of inspiration and keeps me working harder.

Althought I have only worked with him once, I look forward to many more outings, and field research operations with him, and lots of fun -- because even Gino believes, this should be fun too.

I am proud to call Gino not only a fellow researcher but a friend.


*Photos courtesy of Chris Buntenbah, Wildlife Photographer
and Researcher with the TBRC*

Putting Information and Field Operations Together

My last article was about Hand Prints, by Alton Higgins. Now, here is a report from the Texas Bigfoot Research Center, "Operation Thicket Probe" which was conducted in The Big Thicket National Preserve.

Summer, 2-5 September 2005
Southeast Texas
Report compiled by Alton Higgins and Daryl G. Colyer

Introduction:

Congress passed legislation in 1974 establishing the Big Thicket National Preserve in Southeast Texas. Following an expansion incorporating creek areas and additional land in 1993, the preserve totaled more than 97,000 acres situated within an incredibly rich ecosystem. Managed by the National Park Service under the Department of the Interior, the “Big Thicket” is currently composed of nine land units and six water units. All are located between the Trinity and Neches rivers in Liberty, Polk, Tyler, Hardin, Jasper and Orange counties.

For the Full Story click Here

Hand Print Evidence : By Alton Higgins

Below is a paper written by Alton Higgins. Its quite the read -- and well worth it.


Abstract Handprints observed in Oklahoma and interpreted as indicative of sasquatch activity are depicted. Comparisons with casts of purported sasquatch hand impressions made in the Pacific Northwest are presented and briefly discussed.

The rest can be found : Here

New Photo Out -- Read And Decide For Yourself

JOHOR BARU, Mon. The discovery of several huge footprints by a villager in Panti has caused a flurry of excitement among Bigfoot believers.

The 50cm-long footprints (inset, picture above) caused by a single creature that had apparently walked out of a muddy stretch of the jungle area, were found on a recently-tarred road leading to smallholdings located at the foot of Gunung Panti.

Get the full story here

And your opinion is?

New Additions to My Blog

Recently I added 2 new links to my blog, along with a Daily Crossword Puzzle. The two new links are G.H.O.S.T.net and Asylumcam.com. Both are excellent websites if your interested in paranormal discussions and webcams. G.H.O.S.T.net is owned by a Friend in South Texas, while Asylumcam.com is also owned by a friend of mine ( I actually stayed in this house ), who lives in Missouri, I also work for this website when time allows.

The owners of these site should be commended for allowing the facts about the search for Bigfoot to be highlighted on their respective sites. Neither site promotes any Paranormal aspect when discussing this animal, and neither do I. I believe this animal to be flesh and blood - I do not think Bigfoot is a shapeshifting, wormhole jumping orb, and neither do they.

I would like to thank these two sites for helping to promote my blog, and in return I will promote their sites with pride. Asylumcam.com is the largest Paranormal Site on the internet, and G.H.O.S.T is right up there as well, and getting stronger with a brand new website. Both sites are dedicated to factual information, and completely committed to the search for the truth.

Today is Monday ...

About the slowest day of the week.. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone, the clock is ticking for Biscardi's next interview on The "X-Zone" thursday night.. What will he say next? Who knows. But, I will be listening - and will have a full report on Friday Morning.

Also, in the headlines at Cryptomundo.com Craig Woolheater posted a new article this morning, entitled Bigfoot Believers, well worth the read.

Hope everyone had a good day :)

News Article on the TBRC

Group busy stalking Big Thicket Bigfoot
Web Posted: 01/22/2006 12:00 AM CST

Roy Bragg
Express-News National Writer


SILSBEE — It's so quiet in the Big Thicket National Preserve on this cold January night, you can hear a leaf drop.

Scattered throughout this section of the woods, sitting silently and bundled against the near-freezing temperatures, are a dozen or so maverick researchers looking for the large, hairy, elusive embodiment of fringe science — Bigfoot.

Also known as Sasquatch or the Yeti, Bigfoot is a topic that draws its own line in the sandy loam.

Either you believe a highly intelligent, feral ape-like creature roams the rural woods, or you don't.

Read the full story

Here

Question,

I know this is a hot topic, but Im going to "go there" anyway. The Kill vs. No Kill. This is a very contested issue in this area of research. Those in the "Kill Camp" believe the animal must be killed in order to prove it exists. In the other camp we have the "No Kill" researchers, who believe photographic and physical evidence will be enough one day to prove the existance of Bigfoot or Sasquatch.

Where do I stand? Well, this issue for me is difficult. I understand how science works, and as such, I do understand where the "Kill Camp" stands. But, I do not agree that we need to kill anything to prove it is in fact on this planet. I want this animal documented as much as anyone in this field, but I could not be the one to shoot it - unless it would mean the safety of myself or another team member. I think for me, part of this is the research. I love being out in the field - looking for evidence, studying reports, looking for that undiscovered needle in a haystack. Does that mean my world will fall apart if this animal is found and infact cataloged? Absolutely not. For me, this research is as much about the work involved, as it is about finding the animal. I enjoy both. Maybe thats why I dont care to kill one.

If I were to get a call telling me someone had actually shot and killed one, my heart would be sad, but I would not lead the charge to have that person hung by the toes. We all have our opinion about this issue, and regardless of the position, I can respect that.

Question I have though... Why is no one, in the search for the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, calling for the head of one, to prove it exists? In my opinion, in that case, we have 14 seconds of blurry footage, and the scientific community and bird watchers across the world are throwing big parties in celebration. That find is taken seriously. In this field we have recorded vocalizations, that have been tested and have come back as "Not in the Human range", we have track casts, we have eyewitness reports from very credible sources - and still this search is only taken seriously by a few in the scientific community. I just dont understand.

I think the lack of interest within science, is what is fueling this "Kill" issue.

Maybe you see my stance on this as romantic, or maybe you think I dont understand the issues involved here... If thats the case -- tell me where Im wrong?

Tom Biscardi & The XZone Radio Program

Headline from Cryptomundo.com

"Tom Biscardi Update - New Bigfoot Photo!?"


When I first saw this picture, my first thought was Ivan Marx. Tom Biscardi is heading out in an attempt to capture a bigfoot "ALIVE" and bring it back... This will be an 8 State Tour.. Is your State on that list? During the first interview on XZone - I was of the impression Biscardi would be calling in from all these various locations weekly, to of course update us on his search and capture of a Bigfoot...

Apparently, Biscardi has not left yet, stating permit and gear packing problems, all the difficulties one would expect when planning a large expedition such as this.

The current list of states is as follows, in no particular order:

1. Texas

2. Illinois
3. Oklahoma
4. Idaho
5. California
6. Oregon
7. Montana
8. Washington State

In about August of last year, Mr. Biscardi made the claim of having a Live Bigfoot in captivity in a cage, somewhere in the Nevada Desert. I was not shocked to discover this was not the case. When Biscardi made the claim he also said he had not seen the animal yet for himself - and this turned into a week or better chase - Biscardi looking for his Live Bigfoot ( that he said later had been kidnapped) and the Host of C2C trying to get Biscardi to admit he would refund money to anyone who had paid for the live streaming video -- showing this Bigfoot (actually I think Biscardi said he had 2 before this was said and done). What chaos did ensue.

Now Mr. Biscardi turns up on the XZone show - with new pictures. Thankfully Sean and Pat of the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society and the American Bigfoot Society, were listening to this show. Pat immediately dialed the phone number to the show - right after he saw the picture and noted it was a blobsquatch. Sean just knew something about that picture was familiar -- then it came to him, Sean immediately sent the picture he knew was the same picture being shown by biscardi - to the XZone show - Biscardi's fate was sealed.


Sean posted on Cryptomundo.com, that we have an obligation to expose hoaxing.. He is absolutely right. When we can expose a hoax, we must do so -- we must police ourselves.. I cannot yell that loud enough. For far to long, we have not done that. Mr. Biscardi stated on thursdays show (after being confronted by pat and sean), when he got to that area, we would see if that photo was hoaxed or not - Biscardi in fact stated there was no hoaxing, photoshopping etc in that picture, well, lets see. I guess I didnt realize Mr. Biscardi could get Bigfoot to appear on demand for one -- and two, if he doesnt find Bigfoot where this photo was taken -- will he admit the photo was a fake? There is more than enough evidence of that now.

Now go HERE, this is the link to the XZone radio program - listen to the archive for this program on this page, look at the photos - and decide for yourself.

Rick Noll

*Photos of Rick Noll*

Rick Noll, has been actively searching for the Sasquatch since 1969 and continues his pursuit with extended field trips into the Pacific Northwest's most remote regions. Rick has worked with Peter Byrne, René Dahinden, Grover Krantz, John Green, Jeff Meldrum and the BFRO during all this. He helped with many documentaries on the subject including Animal X: The Skookum Expedition and Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science.

Rick is a periodic guest on Seattle's 107.7 the end radio stations Morning Alternative program with Jennifer White and DJ No-Name. His basic field techniques haven't changed much from the early days, but now he uses more advanced technology and his continuous presence in suitable habitat assures that should evidence appear he will be there to document it. He thinks he has identified some areas where more aggressive behavior has been exhibited by these creatures; they chase people out, scream and yell as well as throw rocks.

Rick always carries a camera with him (OK... and maybe some plaster to cast tracks with too) and will use it to illustrate his finds and the areas he travels to. You can come along on his trips through this blog.

Rick currently works in the aerospace field using advanced technology (digital theodolites and laser trackers) to inspect and build high tech tooling. He worked on the YF-23, B-2 and the new Airbus A380. He has written several training manuals for the equipment he uses and has taught their usage around the world. Rick worked for Boeing as a Quality Engineer and owned and operated a professional photofinishing/camera store.

*Biography Information Courtesy of Cryptomundo.com*


Now that I have told you, what Im sure you already knew. Now I will tell you why on my list of researchers Rick Noll is at the top. Just read Rick Nolls blogs on Cryptomundo.com, and you will find out this is a man who is willing to share information and always has good advice for the new, or even the experienced researcher. Rick Noll thinks "outside the box", always trying new experiments either in the field or at home. He never stops thinking about the next idea to try in the field, and often times shares those ideas with the readers of his blogs.

During the 2005 Bigfoot Conference in Jefferson, Texas I had the opportunity to talk with him at length. He is a good, honest man - and loves the time he spends in the Mountains of Washington State, those things are obvious when you talk to him.

In the words of another field researcher Teresa Hall, if Rick Noll should ever decide to pack it up and move into the mountains, "so he can get close enough to kiss bigfoot on the nose" and study this animal - I just hope he comes down every so often to let us all know what new tricks hes come up with, and what the weathers like up there.

A few thoughts,

This list of my "Top 5 Next Generation of Researchers" was not as easy as I thought it would be. Chris Murphys book "Meet The Sasquatch"(which I currently have a link to on my blog) is FANTASTIC.. Well worth reading.

There are now people in the television industry that are doing serious, fact based programs on this research, one show in particular recently aired "Giganto, The Real King Kong". Television shows such as "Giganto, The Real King Kong", are a big step in the right direction when it comes to showing the truly hard work and good solid research going on everyday throughout this country in the search for this as yet undocumented animal. We need more Documentaries and serious Television shows like this one by Execuitive Producer Douglas Hajicek of White Wolf Pictures. If Mr. Hajicek keeps up the good work, someone may have to give him an "Official Bigfoot Researchers Badge". Excellent work.

We also have serious research organizations, like the Texas Bigfoot Research Center, which is headed up by Craig Woolheater. Mr. Woolheater and the group of researchers, for the TBRC, have taken this search for Bigfoot from fairytale and a good campfire story - to serious legitimate research, and given the search in The State of Texas a very strong and serious voice. Mr. Woolheater is also responsible for the blog site Cryptomundo.com (which I have a link to on my blog), where Author and Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman and Field Researcher Rick Noll post weekly (if not daily) blogs. Mr. Woolheater is also responsible for the website Texas Bigfoot Research Center (which there is also a link to on my blog). Finding good solid and factual information about this undocumented animal can be difficult to come by - unless you want to hear the fairytales and mis-information that can be found out there. There are many, many good websites out there, and good Research Organizations, I choose to speak of Mr. Woolheater because his name is known throughout this field for his hard work and dedication. I also know Mr. Woolheater, as I am a member of the Texas Bigfoot Research Center - so I can say without a doubt, his enthusiasm and dedication to this field is genuine and frankly - refreshing.

The name of M.K Davis is not a name that is unknown in the bigfoot circles. Mr. Davis has taken the Patterson/Gimlin film and given it new definition and clarity. He has worked on this film to bring out details that had not been seen before. I find his work impressive and most of the time astonishing. His work brings a fresh approach in my opinion - a new way of looking at this film, by bringing out details we may not have seen before. While the debate over his work rages on - I personally like his work, and look forward to future work done by M.K Davis.

The people in this, the researcher who is apart of this search. Your average man or woman, who goes out into the field, whether it be daily or as time allows. Who have devoted all of or most of their lives to this search. They are hard working, family loving, honest and good people who are just as dedicated as the people I have profiled here.. And frankly, they do not get enough credit. We speak of the large names in this - who we all consider our favorites, who we all look up to, but its the researcher who is either part of a group or an independant, who pays their dues, buys their own gear, they head out into the woods either as a group or alone, that deserves just as much respect and a good strong pat on the back.

Alot can also be said for those who do their research and keep up on reports by the use of the world wide web. One specific person comes to mind. Bill Green. I have never in my life, seen someone who cared more about reports and keeping up to date on all information pertaining to the search and the animal itself. Bill Green is highly regarded, and as he should be. If you are apart of any Bigfoot Website, odds are you have seen his name - and regardless of the issue at hand, he is looking for information. Which is what this work is about -- Information, the retrieval and documentation of all information about this undiscovered, undocumented animal. Bill Green keeps me focused, he keeps me energized, and he helps to remind me at times, when I am discouraged, why I am in this.

I didnt do this top 5 list to say one person was better than someone else. We are all in this research together. We all have something to offer, regardless of your background or expertise. So, I say to everyone - keep getting in the woods, keep looking at reports, keep searching - and one day, just maybe - we will have this animal documented and cataloged.

Now onto my Number 1 Pick....

Biography of Dr. Jeff Meldrum

Dr. Jeff Meldrum


Associate Professor Ph.D. , SUNY at Stony Brook, 1989 Anatomy, Evolutionary Morphology, Primatology, Paleontology

Dr. Jeff Meldrum is a professor of anatomy & anthropology at Idaho State University and affiliate curator at the Idaho Museum of Natural History. His formal study of primates began with doctoral research on terrestrial adaptations in African primates, and has since taken him from the dusty skeletal cabinets of far-flung museums to the remote badlands of Colombia and Argentina in search of fossil New World primates. He has published extensively on the evolutionary history of the South American primates and has described several new extinct species. He has documented varied primate locomotor specializations in laboratory and semi-natural settings. More recently his attention has returned to the emergence of modern human bipedalism. He co-edited and contributed to, From Biped to Strider: the Emergence of Modern Human Walking Running and Resource Transport (Kluwer-Plenum, 2004). His interests also encompass the evaluation of footprints, both in the lab and in the field, attributed to Sasquatch. Author of Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science, a companion volume to the Discovery Channel documentary, to be published by Forge later this year.

Biography of Loren Coleman

*Photo of Loren Coleman*


Loren Coleman is one of the world's leading cryptozoologists, some say "the" leading. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries.

Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson's Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).

Lorens many booksColeman has written over twenty-five books and more than four hundred articles, has appeared frequently on radio and television programs, and has lectured throughout North America, as well as in London and at Loch Ness. Coleman's former cryptozoology columns, since the 1970s, have been "On the Trail," in the London-based Fortean Times and "Mysterious World" in Fate Magazine, as well as regular contributions to The Anomalist and Fortean Studies. His unique signature column, "The Cryptozoo News," was published in Strange Magazine, Mysteries Magazine, and now appears as Coleman's weblog at Cryptomundo.com Coleman has been both an on- and off-camera consultant to NBC-TV's "Unsolved Mysteries," A & E's "Ancient Mysteries," History Channel's "In Search of History," Discovery Channel's "In the Unknown, " Discovery Science Channel's "Critical Eye," History Channel's "Deep Sea Detectives," Animal Planet's "Animal X," Discovery Kids' "Mystery Hunters," and Animal Planet's "Twisted Tales," and other reality-based programs such as Current Affair and Evening Magazine. In 2000, he served as the Senior Series Consultant to the new "In Search Of..." program which was broadcast on Sci-Fi Network. During 2002, he was featured in the Sony Studios' documentary, "Search for the Mothman," available on the deluxe DVD of the movie The Mothman Prophecies. He served as the Screen Gems' national and international publicity spokesperson for their Richard Gere-Mark Pellington movie.

Coleman has been investigating, in the field and in the library, cryptozoological evidence and folklore since the Abominable Snowmen (Yeti) caught his interest over 45 years ago, leading him to research mysterious Black Panther sightings and reports of Napes (North American Apes) in the American Midwest. He has traveled to every state in the USA (except Alaska), throughout Canada, Mexico, Scotland, and the Virgin Islands, interviewing witnesses of Hairy Hominoids, Lake Monsters, Giant Snakes, Mystery Felids, Mothman, Thunderbirds, and other cryptids.

His first cryptozoology article was published in 1969. He went on to write two books with Jerome Clark (The Unidentified [1975] and Creatures of the Outer Edge [1978], both published by Warner Books). In the 1980s, Coleman wrote Mysterious America (1983), Curious Encounters (1985), and Tom Slick and the Search for the Yeti (1989), all bestsellers for Faber and Faber. In 1999 Loren Coleman co-authored two books: one with Patrick Huyghe called The Field Guide to Bigfoot, Yeti, and Other Mystery Primates Worldwide (Avon); the other with Jerome Clark called Cryptozoology A to Z: The Encyclopedia of Loch Monsters, Sasquatch, Chupacabras, and Other Authentic Mysteries of Nature (Simon and Schuster/Fireside). During 2002, Linden published the biography, Tom Slick: True Life Encounters in Cryptozoology.

Coleman's extremely popular Mysterious America: The Revised Edition (2001) and Mothman and Other Curious Encounters (2002) are published by Paraview Press. In 2003, Coleman continued his fast-paced examination of cryptozoology with two books, BIGFOOT! The True Story of Apes in America (NY: Paraview Pocket-Simon and Schuster) and The Field Guide to Lake Monsters, Sea Serpents, and Other Mystery Denizens of the Deep (NY: Tarcher-Penguin). With the publication of Mark A. Hall's book, Thunderbirds, Paraview Press began a projected series of cryptozoology books under the umbrella "Loren Coleman Presents...." Loren Coleman's special appreciation of his fellow cryptozoologists and hominologists has made him the source of biographical insights, and his obituaries and living commentaries on the leaders of the field (as noted in Cryptozoology A to Z) have been published and broadcast widely. National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," for example, called on Coleman to speak in tribute of Dr. Grover Krantz who died on Valentine's Day, 2002. Coleman was the first person that reporter Bob Young spoke to about Ray Wallace's death, even before the Wallace family pulled off their now infamous "confession" stories about their father's Bigfoot hoaxes.

Obtaining an undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Coleman majored in anthropology, minored in zoology, and did some summer work in archaeology. He received a graduate degree in psychiatric social work from Simmons College in Boston. Coleman was admitted to the Ph.D. programs, and took doctoral coursework in social anthropology at Brandies University, and in sociology at the University of New Hampshire's Anthropology/Sociology Department.

Coleman has been an instructor, assistant/associate professor, research associate, and documentary filmmaker, in various academic university settings, since 1980. He gave one of the first credit courses in the USA on the subject of cryptozoology in 1990, and examined cryptozoology films in his popular documentary film class at the University of Southern Maine from 1989 through 2003. He has written extensively in the social sciences, having authored, coauthored, or edited several books, including the critically acclaimed Suicide Clusters (Faber and Faber, 1987), appearing on "The Larry King Show" discussing it. His work on the suicides of baseball players has been covered in Sports Illustrated, the Sporting News, ESPN, EPSN Classics and major media and wire services from 1986 to present.

His newest book on such topics examines the role of media and cyclic violence in The Copycat Effect (NY: Paraview Pocket-Simon and Schuster, 2004).

Coleman is working on a children's book on cryptozoology and future biographical and adventure books.

Biography information on Mr. Coleman from Cryptomundo.com

You can purchase Mr. Colemans Books at Amazon.com

This Just In:

Hot off the presses at Cryptomundo.com - well worth the read.


Answering The BigFoot Critics by: Craig Woolheater

To rate or classify? By: Rick Noll

Just In Case,

Just in case you have not guessed, I am now moving onto what I like to call "The Next Generation" of Bigfoot Researchers.

This group is diverse, and all bring their own unique talents and expertise to this field. I guess you could say, if I was able to get a group together to do an expedition to find this as yet undocumented North American Primate - and I could get the miles between these people shortened, this would be the group of 5 I would want, because the backgrounds are so different.

Science, forensics, evidence collection, field research, witness statements, and the stories told in the past, all play an important role in aiding with the discovery of this animal.

We all have our list - yours may differ from mine, maybe not. I just hope you enjoy learning about these people, they have dedicated much of their time, sweat and tears to this research, and should be commended for their efforts to date. The search for this undocumented animal is coming into mainstream society - and its about time.

Ok - on to number 3.

Jimmy Chilcutt

*Photo of Jimmy Chilcutt*

Jimmy Chilcutt retired from the Conroe Police Department after 18 years as a latent fingerprint examiner and crime scene investigator. He has over 26 years active duty as a police officer and holds a Master Police Officer Certification from the State of Texas.

Jimmy Chilcutt - Forensic Expert Witness After graduating from Jackson High School in Lubbock, Texas Chilcutt entered the U.S. Army as a Pvt. E-1 and left the service after 9 years, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer W-2. He had tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam.

Mr. Chilcutt has over one thousand classroom hours of instruction in forensic subjects including basic identification at D.P.S. Austin, advanced latent fingerprint comparison F.B.I. University of Houston, advanced latent palm print comparison Mississippi State Crime Lab, advanced crime scene investigation, and many other forensic related subjects. He has testified as a fingerprint expert on County, District and Federal courts in several counties in Texas and North Carolina. In the Crime lab he has developed unique procedures in developing latent fingerprints that have drawn hundreds of requests from Federal, State, and County agencies to process their evidence. These agencies include FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Service, DPS Narcotic Units throughout Texas, and various County Sheriff Departments.

Awards received for his outstanding service in forensics include, three City of Conroe outstanding officer awards, one meritorious service award, three county wide officer of the year awards, the 100 Club officer of the year award, and the coveted Directors Award from the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Mr. Chilcutt has often been a guest lecturer at Sam Houston State University, Idaho State University, North Harris County College, and for the Conroe High School Criminal Justice Program. He also teaches the State of Texas Intermediate Crime Scene Investigation Core Course at the FBI/Conroe P.D. training facility.


Article from the Houston Chronicle:

Jimmy Chilcutt is not someone most people would associate with the kind of wild, unsubstantiated stories that show up in supermarket tabloids. Chilcutt, 54, is skeptical by nature. His job as a fingerprint technician at the Conroe Police Department requires hard-nosed judgments and painstaking attention to detail.

He is highly regarded by agents of the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and state and local law enforcement agencies because of his innovative techniques and ability to find fingerprints where others fail.

But in doing what comes naturally -- being careful and thorough -- he ended up rocking his own skepticism about one of the most sensational tales that routinely show up in the tabloids.

Chilcutt's quest to squeeze more information out of fingerprints led him to develop a rare expertise in nonhuman primate prints. He tried to use his special knowledge to debunk alleged evidence of Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch.

But his examination of alleged Bigfoot footprint castings didn't lead to the conclusion he had expected. He now believes that -- while some of them are fakes -- some are the genuine prints of a reclusive animal that has yet to be documented and studied.

The path to Chilcutt's unusual investigation began with an idea he had in 1995. "If I could look at fingerprints and could tell the sex, gender and race, I'd be way ahead," he recalled. He began examining fingerprints to determine whether there were differences based on race or sex.

It finally occurred to him that the key to understanding human fingerprints could lie in nonhuman primates. Primates are members of the order of mammals that includes humans, great apes, monkeys and lemurs. Chilcutt said he hoped to find primordial characteristics that would unlock hidden information in human fingerprints. First, he had to convince a zoo or a research center to allow him to take fingerprints. "It was hard to find somebody who would let you fingerprint their monkey," he said.

After being rebuffed about 25 times over three months, he called Ken Glander, director of the Duke University Primate Center in Durham, N.C. Impressed by Chilcutt's expertise, Glander offered prints from his collection of lemurs. But Chilcutt was primarily interested in apes, so Glander steered him to the Yerkes Regional Primate Center at Emory University in Atlanta.

Kaylee Summerville, occupational health program coordinator at Yerkes, said Chilcutt's request was received with caution.

After checking Chilcutt's credentials, the center arranged for him to take prints of apes at the Atlanta zoo during an annual medical checkup, while the apes were anesthetized. Since then, Chilcutt has amassed a collection of about 1,000 nonhuman primate prints. He has 350 prints.

He said there are only about four or five researchers working with nonhuman fingerprints. "All are biologists," Glander said. "We don't have fingerprint expertise."

Chilcutt studied the primate prints and discovered characteristics that distinguish different species and traits within species. He said he has become an expert on primate prints through long study of his samples, although he is not yet able to decipher human fingerprints.

But an opportunity arose in December 1998 to put his rare knowledge to use. He was at his home in Montgomery reading a book one evening, barely paying attention to a TV program about Bigfoot.

His interest was piqued, however, when he heard the term "dermal ridges," a reference to fingerprints.

He listened closely as Dr. Jeff Meldrum, associate professor of anatomy at Idaho State University, held a casting of a supposed Bigfoot footprint and pointed to what appeared to be the loops and whorls of prints.

Believing he could determine the authenticity of the prints, Chilcutt phoned Meldrum, a specialist in primate anatomy and locomotion. "If there is a Sasquatch, only a handful of people in the world know the difference between a primate and a human print," Chilcutt said. Meldrum said he was delighted to find someone who could help authenticate his collection of about 100 castings of supposed Bigfoot footprints.

Searching for Bigfoot

A skeptical Chilcutt arrived in Pocatello, Idaho, last April and began studying the collection.

He first examined the casting Meldrum had shown on TV and quickly determined it to be a fake. The toeprints were actually human fingerprints. Meldrum turned him loose on the entire collection.

The print ridges on the bottoms of five castings -- which were taken at different times and locations -- flowed lengthwise along the foot, unlike human prints, which flow from side to side, he said.

"No way do human footprints do that -- never, ever. The skeptic in me had to believe that (all of the prints were from) the same species of animal," Chilcutt said. "I believe that this is an animal in the Pacific Northwest that we have never documented."

Meldrum, for whom the study of Bigfoot prints is a sideline, believes it's a legitimate, scientific inquiry. "A misconception is often perpetrated that this should be relegated to the tabloids," he said. "The question is, what made the tracks? They are there; that is indisputable. It's either a hoax or the track of a living animal. "Officer Chilcutt has brought his expertise to that question. We will never know for sure until a specimen is collected. Until then, it's unscientific, in my opinion, to dismiss this evidence without giving it an airing." Glander, who was casually acquainted with Meldrum when Meldrum taught briefly at Duke, said: "Do I believe in Bigfoot? I don't know, but I think it's one of those things that is interesting and intriguing."

*Copyright 2000 Houston Chronicle*

Mr. Chilcutt is still active in Investigations for Attorneys. His website is listed below.
http://www.jhcforensicconsultant.com/

Biography of Kathy Moskowitz Strain

*Photo of Kathy Moskowitz Strain*


Kathy Moskowitz Strain is currently the Forest Archaeologist for the Stanislaus National Forest, headquartered in Sonora, California. She is responsible for all archaeological and paleontological resources on her Forest and directs education and public participation programs on archaeology and Native American cultures. Kathy is currently the chair of the Alliance of Independent Bigfoot Researchers, a non-profit Bigfoot research group.

Kathy became interested in Bigfoot as a child, and her interest lead her into the field of anthropology. Kathy received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology in 1990 and a Master of Arts in Behavioral Science (emphasis in Anthropology) in 1994. Her main field of study involved prehistoric human ecology.

In 1991, as an archaeologist for the Sequoia National Forest, she began interviewing elders from the Yokuts Tribe about their traditional Hairy Man stories. This work lead her to an in depth study of the Hairy Man pictographs, located on the Tule River Indian reservation. She has presented her research at the 2003 Willow Creek Symposium, the 2005 Texas Bigfoot Conference, and published an article in Meet the Sasquatch, by Chris Murphy. Recently, she appeared on the Giganto: The Real King Kong special on the History Channel. Kathy will be giving a presentation on southern Native American Bigfoot stories for the “Bigfoot in Texas” exhibit at the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures on April 7, 2006.In June 2006, she will also be speaking at the Bigfoot Rendezvous at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho.

Using her specialty in human ecology, Kathy is exploring the connection between Native American adaptation of the environment and how Bigfoot might also have used similar techniques to exploit plants and animals. Comparisons may be found in habitation methods and locations, hunting and gathering techniques, resource availability, calorie input/output, seasonal movements, etc. Knowing this information may foster collection of evidence not previously associated with Bigfoot behavior. It may also allow us to develop techniques to better obtain direct observations and therefore documentation and protection of this currently unrecognized primate.

Although there are few women who conduct Bigfoot research, Kathy would like to encourage women to either collaborate with other researchers or to conduct their own research. There are many aspects to Bigfoot research, including direct fieldwork and report investigations. Those that are not interested in fieldwork can find untapped avenues in researching historical archives and documents, conducting interviews with Native Americans, studying museum artifacts for unrecognized prehistoric/historic representations of Bigfoot, or drawing eyewitness sketches.

I bet your wondering,

Exactly why I started out this blog with these 5 men. Well, first of all, they are not the only people I intend to profile on this blog, but in my mind they are my Top 5. Anyone who has been in this research field for any period of time quickly determines who out of a very small group, are the ones who they most identify or agree with.

These 5 names are the most recognizable in this field, along with others that I will get to in a while.I think its important to know the names of those before you. I think its important to understand their wins, losses, triumphs and tragedies. These were and are first and foremost, men. Men who did not back down in the face of ridicule or scrutany. They were and are men, who believed in the existance of this animal so strongly, nothing could shake their desire or determination to find this animal.

I start out with these 5 men, because I respect their hard work, dedication and courage. This is not an easy area of research (as I have discovered). The area you work in, can be cold, wet, hot all the things that make you long for the quiet comfort of home and a nice warm bed- not to mention dangerous. Yet, they decided this was what they wanted to dedicate their lives to doing.

I respect these men. And while we have a whole new generation of men and women stepping up to carry on the work they have done so proudly, and with such dignity..

I profile these 5 men because we should not forget the names that came before us.

Roger Patterson

*Photo Of Roger Patterson*

You are probably asking yourself, why did she choose Roger Patterson to be at the top of this list of 5 ? Well, the answer is quite simple. Roger Patterson, of course along with Robert Gimlin, is the person responsible for the Bluff Creek Footage of "Patty". But, no, thats not why I list him as my top choice. Roger Patterson did in fact continue to search for this as yet undocumented animal until the time of his death, but thats not why either. I could post links to articles posted about Mr. Patterson - there are enough of them on the internet.

I chose Mr. Roger Patterson to be at the top of my list - for his strength of his convictions. Not once since he shot this famous or Infamous film (depending on whether you feel the film is authentic or not) has his story ever changed, waivered or strayed. He has held fast to his claim, that he did -in fact - film a Sasquatch. Even in the face of ridicule and complete skepticizm his belief never changed. In fact, Mr. Patterson continued to search for this animal until the day he passed. Many have thrown their hats in the ring to try and disprove this film, all attempts to date have failed. The frames of this film have been picked apart and disected from people from the likes of average laypeople to those in the Movie Industry, still no one can prove this film is hoaxed or a man in a suit, in fact the more the film is looked into, the more questions seem to come up - more details are being found in this film, thanks to the Next Generation of Researchers I plan to profile next.

Very few people in this world ever encounter something they cannot explain, and still tell the entire world - then after being ridiculed and having their lives picked apart and their family members brought into the microscope of scruitany - have stuck by their story, and maintained that what they saw or experienced was in fact the truth. Thats why I chose Roger Patterson, for having the courage to stand by his story and his film, many want to disprove and make fun of.

My reasons for chosing Mr. Patterson are strictly personal, because I can only hope to have his strength if I ever find myself in the position he found himself in on October 20, 1967. Would I tell anyone? Would I stand by my original story, or allow naysayers and skeptics back me down or silence me? I can only hope and pray for the strength of Mr. Roger Patterson - if I am ever lucky enough to see one of these animals myself, and get it on film.

Biography of Robert Gimlin

Robert Emory Gimlin was born October 18, 1931 in Missouri. Eventually he moved to Yakima, Washington where he lives to this day. Gimlin was and still is a rancher who breaks in young horses-at the age of 74! He has lived an interesting life in and around the Yakima area. His neighbor is a rather notorious fellow by the name of Bob Heironimus-notorious because Heironimus claims to be the "man in the suit" of the famous Patterson/Gimlin film. Gimlin is of Indian descent, Chirokowa Apache to be exact. From Robert and Frances Guenette's book Bigfoot: The Mysterious Monster is this:Gimlin's reputation is that of a mild, honest man. I have talked to him, several times. He still lives nearby Yakima with his wife, Judy.

He has a somewhat embittered attitude about the whole matter; he is angry at the insinuations that he either compromised his honesty to perpetrate a hoax, or indeed was the prime dupe of one. He has repeatedly said that "there is no question about what was out there..." describing the creature and explaining the incident over and over again in detail. In all his pronouncements, he has not changed his story. He believes he saw a Bigfoot that October 20th at Bluff Creek. I am only one among many who offered Gimlin large amounts of money to "tell the truth" about what "really" happened that day. His answer to me was, "I'm already telling the truth." His wife, Judy, told me that she suffered rather than gained, from the whole experience. She was working at a bank at the time; she became the butt of many jokes and found herself ridiculed by even her closest friends. She says she urged her husband to quit looking for Bigfoot, to withdraw him from the field. In a large way, Bob Gimlin has, existing now only on the perimeters of it, kept there by the fact of his presence that day in 1967 when Patterson shot the film and by the other Bigfoot hunters, all of whom use his name freely, calling him an associate even if he isn't.

He is, in fact, the foremost living Bigfoot investigator, even if he is now inactive, even if he was only a passive partner of Patterson's. Everyone awaits the day when he will re-enter the field. Gimlin met Patterson between 1955 and 1959, and Patterson thrilled Gimlin with many stories and accounts of sightings. The two would go out on pre-expeditions in search of the creatures. Patterson and Gimlin were in the Mount Saint Helens area in September 1967, when they received a message from Mrs. Patterson that Al Hodgson that there were Bigfoot tracks in the Six Rivers National Forest area in northwestern California. Patterson and Gimlin went down there, stayed for 3 weeks and filmed a Bigfoot. They also cast tracks of the creature. Gimlin pretty much dropped out of the Bigfoot field after that, except for occasional appearances at conferences (the first one he ever attended was the 1978 Conference on Humanlike Monsters at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada). In the early-'70s, Gimlin took part in lawsuits to get rights to the film. Eventually, Rene Dahinden got about 51% of the film rights (the still photos from the film) and Patricia Patterson, Roger Patterson's widow, got 49% (the actual film rights). Gimlin really didn't want a whole lot to do with the film itself, so he sold his portion of the rights to Dahinden for $26.00. For nearly 30 years, Gimlin stayed mostly out of the Bigfoot spotlight.

A few years ago, he began to be invited to different conferences. He spoke briefly at the 2003 Willow Creek Bigfoot Symposium and was an honored guest there. He also spoke at the 2004 Crypto-Conference in Conroe, Texas. He appeared at the 2005 Bellingham conference and also the Seattle Museum of the Mysteries in June 2005. Bob Gimlin is a very honest individual who seems to be telling the truth about what he saw that day 38 years ago, and he has no motive to lie now or come forward with a "hoax story". Many Bigfooters believe his story to be accurate and truthful, and there's no reason to doubt his story. Bob Gimlin should be highly regarded by all.

Information Courtesy of Southeast Sasquatch Association*