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May 29, 2009

The Yakima Event, Wednesday Night on "The Grey Area"

James "Bobo" Fay, Paul Graves & Tom Yamarone, 3 of the 4 organizers of the Yakima Bigfoot Round-Up, will join us to report on the conference held 2 weeks ago.

Also joining us for this program is Bill Munns. Bill has agreed to give his first interview to "The Grey Area" since he revealed the work he has been doing on the PGF, at the Yakima Event. Bill will be taking your calls and helping us to understand the work he has done.

Several groundbreaking presentations were delivered at the Bigfoot Round-Up by Bill Munns, Scott Nelson, Dr. John Bindernagel and Dr. Jeff Meldrum.

The Bigfoot Round-Up also included a tribute to the achievement of Bob Gimlin and Roger Patterson, and the contribution of John Green.

Over 250 people attended the 2-day event on May 15 & 16, 2009 in Naches, Washington.

This promises to be an hour packed with information. Join us Wednesday June 3rd at 8 pm Central/9 pm Eastern.

May 24, 2009

A Leisurely Strole

The thought occurred to me, I almost never discuss the work I do in the field or provide photos to prove I leave the house.

Truth be told often times when I am out, with my camera in hand, I am taking photos of flowers, plants and animals (whenever they don't run away). I love being out away from the city and just enjoying the wildflowers, and the animals I see.

Just like with photos of people, photos taken out in the woods can tell a story as well.

Can you find the subject of this photo? Look closely.



And this one.




Both Wayne and I were amazed to discover this fawn, tucked away neatly by its mother. Did mom go away to feed? Where was she? We had no idea. The fawn hardly moved the whole time we were there. She/he sat there quietly, and the only part of this fawn that moved was her/his twitching nose.

Yes, we left her unharmed, untouched and exactly where mom left her.

As we wandered along...



Can you see the spider web in this next photo?



We continued..












Do you see the fish in this next photo?



I was actually shocked my camera was able to capture the bluegill just below the walkway we were on.



Getting out into the woods is about so much more than just Bigfoot (for me).



These are just a few of the photos I took. I hope you enjoyed them. No, there was no bigfoot.

I am just as happy with the images I left with.

May 23, 2009

UN-backed environmental initiative aims to save the gorilla

UN-backed environmental initiative aims to save the gorilla


22 May 2009 – A United Nations-backed initiative has been launched aimed at halting the destruction of the habitat of the East African mountain range gorilla threatening the extinction of humans’ close relative, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today.

The 2009 Year of the Gorilla (YoG) partnership is supporting a project enabling local residents in areas endangered by increasing demands for fuel – not least the Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – to buy low-cost, fuel-efficient stoves.

Other measures needed to target the reduction of charcoal production include solar cookers, tree-planting on farms and the widespread use of fuel-efficient stoves, UNEP said in a news release.

Further cause for concern to the agency is the signing of land deals by many gorilla range States with foreign companies for agriculture, including bio-fuel production.

UNEP said that on top of destroying the habitat of numerous species through forest degradation, palm oil – an edible oil found 10 per cent of supermarket products and increasingly seen as a profitable bio-fuel – has a higher carbon footprint than the fossil fuels it replaces.

The agency noted that the erosion of forests not only threatens gorillas, it also intensifies climate change with tropical trees in undisturbed forests absorbing nearly 20 per cent of the carbon dioxide released by burning fossil fuels, or some 4.8 billion tons each year.

“Stopping the current overexploitation of natural resources is a key element of any strategy leading to a sustainable way of living,” said Robert Hepworth, UNEP Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP-CMS).

“The forests and woodlands of Africa must play a central role in efforts to avoid dangerous climate change,” added Mr. Hepworth. “There is a strong scientific case for carbon finance to make significant contributions to gorilla conservation, as gorilla range States would benefit financially from protecting their forests.”

In addition, an influx of relatively well-paid workers who can afford to frequently eat meat has prompted a boom in the bushmeat trade and the decline of gorilla populations.

UNEP said that together with other great apes, the survival of gorillas is also threatened by disease and epidemics, mining and the effects of armed conflicts.

The Year of the Gorilla is a joint initiative of UNEP-CMS, the UNEP/UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Great Ape Survival Partnership (GRASP) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

May 21, 2009

Just Because I Found This Interesting..

Of course I already knew this, being from Wisconsin originally ;) Where does your state rank? Should you "brush up" on your driving skills?

Where the worst drivers live

by Sean Tucker

The worst drivers in America live in New York. Of course, you knew that. You've been in the Holland Tunnel. But now, we have proof.

GMAC Insurance has released the results of its National Drivers Test for 2009. The test, which measures basic knowledge of driving laws, was given to more than 5,000 drivers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia -- and New Yorkers finished last. Last year's loser, New Jersey, improved its score just enough to leap over New York. Hawaii, California and Georgia rounded out the bottom five.

Idaho and Wisconsin drivers tied for the highest average score, with an 80.6.

Read the full story HERE

State Rankings

Note: Many states tied for the same position in the rankings.
1 IDAHO
1 WISCONSIN
3 MONTANA
4 KANSAS
5 SOUTH DAKOTA
5 NEBRASKAAlign Left
7 UTAH
8 WYOMING
8 IOWA
8 OREGON
8 MINNESOTA
12 ALASKA
12 NORTH DAKOTA
14 VERMONT
15 COLORADO
15 MISSOURI
17 OKLAHOMA
17 WASHINGTON
19 NEW MEXICO
20 NORTH CAROLINA
21 VIRGINIA
22 INDIANA
22 MICHIGAN
24 ARKANSAS
24 TEXAS
26 ALABAMA
26 NEVADA
28 WEST VIRGINIA
29 ILLINOIS
30 ARIZONA
31 MAINE
32 DELAWARE
33 NEW HAMPSHIRE
34 OHIO
35 KENTUCKY
36 PENNSYLVANIA
37 LOUISIANA
38 TENNESSEE
38 MISSISSIPPI
40 SOUTH CAROLINA
40 MARYLAND
42 CONNECTICUT
43 FLORIDA
44 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
45 MASSACHUSETTS
46 RHODE ISLAND
47 GEORGIA
48 CALIFORNIA
49 HAWAII
50 NEW JERSEY
51 NEW YORK

May 15, 2009

Update to "When it Rains it Pours"

There is an update to the story I posted "When it Rains it Pours".

Cryptomundo's Loren Coleman has posted statements sent to him by Tom Yamarone and Scott Herriott.

It would appear Scott Herriott, is keeping his sense of humor and Tom Yamarone (and the rest of the Yakima Organizers) are welcoming guests.

Hopefully soon we will see an update stating everyone has worked past this. Crisis over.

All I see are good people, getting angry and upset..I hope feelings get soothed and tempers are calmed. Life is just too short to see such good people so upset.

Lets hope this is over, but I have the feeling someone will re-lite the fire and fan the flames.

When It Rains, It Pours

Since moving to Ohio to start my life, I have for the most part stayed clear of the message boards (except my own of course). The drama and fighting can be overwhelming and frankly I had simply had enough.

On a bad day (which we all have) we all look for something that makes us think for a few seconds "hey, my life is not so bad after all."

Eventually though, it gets tiring, and most of us need a break.


Therefore I have not been keeping up with all the latest and greatest information.

Then a little over a week ago, I started getting emails and personal messages asking me if I heard about the Scott Herriott/Tom Yamarone/Paul Vella verbal fist fight.

"What?" Seriously?

I have always thought both Scott and Tom were very nice people. I had no idea what was happening, so I went looking for all the information. When I found the pages of conversation my worst fears were confirmed, this was seriously happening.

Let me try to "nutshell" this for you all.

Scott Herriott= PGF skeptic. Vocal skeptic. Extremely nice guy, very funny but he has his doubts about the legitimacy of the PGF. Heck, Scott questions his own possible encounter. While I think the film is legit, I have never had the kinds of exchanges with Scott I have had with other PGF skeptics. In other words, I have never found him to be rude or insulting.

Tom Yamarone= Talented singer and song writer. Tom is a very funny guy, and great all around person. Tom is a member of the BFRO and a Board Member of the AIBR (which boggles my mind but that's another story). Tom is of the opinion the PGF is legit. That's fine, he is entitled to his opinion, as is Scott (or anyone else). Tom and a group of people to include BoBo Fay organized the "Yakima Roundup" that is taking place this very weekend in Washington. Guest of Honor is Bob Gimlin.

There is talk of a physical threat that was made, but I have found nothing on that.

If you don't know who Bob Gimlin is, please hang your head in shame and stop reading. Not knowing the name Bob Gimlin is like not knowing who John Green is. Your not a researcher, or you should really pay more attention ;)

Ok, so...

Scott Herriott requested a ticket for the Yakima event. Apparently Scott was sent a letter from the organizers of the event stating Scott would not be admitted due to his skeptical view on the PGF. The organizers of the event planned this weekend not for anything other than a weekend of a few speakers, and general fun and bigfoot conversation.

This letter of course was published on at least one website I know of. Which in turn, created a firestorm the likes of which I have not seen in a while.

Were the organizers of this event wrong to deny admittance to Scott? Well, no. They have the right to refuse anyone admittance. This is a private event. No where in the letter did I read "Scott your a miserable person, and we do not want you there due to your nasty attitude and overall ill will toward bigfooters in general." No.

Anyway... Paul Vella (owner of the BFF) became outraged by the letter sent to Scott Herriott. Paul posted and a war was started between Paul and Tom Yamarone. Much to the dismay of many who were hoping for a run down of events and possibly photos.

I say dismay, because in the end Tom stated "The organizers of the event planned to enforce the copyright restrictions". So, there would be no posting of photos or a run down of events.

This further enraged Paul Vella. Paul then shut down every thread on the event.

Here recently Tom Yamarone released a statement to say he had lost his temper, and he apologized. He went on to say Photos and a recap would be permitted by attendees.

Do organizers of Bigfoot related events have the right to refuse entrance? Absolutely. There is no law in this country which states "Anyone and everyone who wants to attend a gathering, must be permitted to attend." These are by and large privately funded and put together functions. Just because you state you are a "bigfoot enthusiast" that does not guarantee you admittance to anything. This event had a limited number for attendance (250 I believe).

The mistake was they were honest about why. While people say they want the truth, honestly they don't. If the letter had read "Were sorry Scott, but there are no more tickets available." When the event is over, and people discovered there were no skeptics in attendance there would still be an overwhelming amount of drama, just not because of the letter to Scott.

Sometimes (in my opinion) it is not appropriate to quiz and interrogate people.

Sometimes they want to just be one of the masses. Yes, Bob Gimlin will be there, but that does not mean he was invited to be grilled on the film. Maybe he will speak, but even if he does, that does not mean he is open to grilling. Frankly, I don't think he always needs to be. Can anyone truly blame him for not wanting that every time he gets near someone who identifies themselves as a bigfoot researcher?? The poor man probably cringes every time someone brings up the word "Bigfoot".

Honestly, ask yourself this,

If Bob Gimlin answered every question imaginable, would that be enough? No, I truly do not think it would be. Only because I see the very same questions asked over and over. Often times because the answer does not fit what the intended questioner wanted to hear. Issues some find important about the PGF honestly have no bearing on the issue of whether the film is legit. Yet, the questions still get asked.

In the last year and a half or so,

Mr. Gimlin has been accused of some horrific things. Scott Marlowe went so far as to send a letter to a District Attorney to request a full investigation into the events surrounding the filming of Patty at Bluff Creek. I am frankly shocked Mr. Gimlin is going to be anywhere near a bigfoot event, let alone attend willingly.

What I find ironic is the people who are upset at the alleged shielding of Mr. Gimlin, are the ones who were upset with me and Loren Coleman over the articles written on M.K. Davis. So, I guess it's ok to question and demand answers from Bob Gimlin, but not his chief proponent M.K. Davis (at this time) about allegations that are simply hideous?

Do I think Paul Vella was out of line?

No, I am not his mother. Paul is entitled to handle things the way he deems necessary. Tom Yamarone has the right to respond, which he did. Paul chose to take a particular stance, and as with anyone, he has the right to ask whatever he wants, hell he can even demand answers.

Is anyone bound by law to respond? Nope.

Once again we are reading about drama. Drama that in no way helps solve a mystery. Anger took over and the researchers are sitting back and wondering "what the hell just happened?"

According to Cryptomundo and Paul Vella, Mr. Vella has resigned from the AIBR over this event. Loren Coleman reports Brian Brown has not only left the BFF over this, but he has resigned from the AIBR as well. That I can not confirm. Near as I can tell Mr. Brown left the BFF due to personal reasons, but still is involved with the AIBR. I could be wrong.

Personally, I felt an overwhelming need to take some Excedrin and turn off my computer. Being in the woods is so much more entertaining these days. :)

All my best to the organizers of the Yakima event, I hope it is a huge success.

May 12, 2009

The Blogsquatcher weighs in


What can I possibly say about this blog in general, that hasn't been said a thousand times. The Blogsquatcher does it again, with another article that hits the proverbial nail on the head.

May 11, 2009

Cleveland Scene writer Frank Lewis scores a big point

You know you're a dick when geeks who believe in monsters seem cooler than you. — Frank Lewis

Read the full story here

I take back everything I said about the media in the last 24 hours!!!! Mr. Lewis, writer for the Cleveland Scene, in an article titled "Messin With Sasquatch Fans" discusses the article written by Leigh Hart, and his take on the situation.

May 10, 2009

Sometimes, you're just not funny.

Leigh Hart, of nzherald.com.nz

When someone uses credentials to establish a level of credibility, to only hurt and defame others does that make them credible?

This Leigh Hart, showed up to the Ohio Conference, under the guise of a legitimate Television Producer looking for interviews from those who are involved in this research. Truth be told, he used those credentials to get in the door, to make those involved look bad. Lets start out with this piece of trash paragraph.

"There is an old saying that goes: "If you can't get laid at a Big Foot conference/expo, you can't get laid anywhere!", and for the most part I would have to agree with this. However, I might add that although your chances are good, be prepared for it to be with a heavily tattooed woman who could conceivably weigh in at 130 to 180kg."


Proof that he is not only oblivious to the feelings of others, but that he is unaware he is no "runway model" himself. How a woman's weight or her penchant for tattoos plays any role in this field of research, (other than to put people down or crack jokes at someones expense) is beyond me. But, when you're a talentless hack yourself, odds are you have no other options for being original.

Frankly, when your opinion is so low of a select group of people, often times it is best to keep your mouth shut, less your stupidity come through as brilliantly as this guys did.

By the way, I am 5'7 weight 130 pounds and only have 2 tattoos :) So, apparently he is wrong about the women involved in this field of research.

"I attended, or rather gatecrashed, the annual Big Foot conference this year, rather controversially in Ohio. Officially I was there making a documentary series called Leigh Hart's Mysterious Planet for TV2, but rather than research the mythical upright walking hominid himself, I was far more interested in those attending the event."


"Gatecrashed" is a good word when you lie about your original intention for attendance, or intend to use deception at the minimum. Had he been truthful about why he was attending, he most likely would have no material for this piece of garbage. I'm sure he would define as "truth in journalism".

He admits clearly he has done no research, he decided the people were more "interesting". Well, at least he finally brought up some honesty here. It's apparent from the many conversations I have had, he was completely clueless about the animal or even what a night time operation was actually about.

But more on that later.

"To cut a long story short, I have never seen so many freak shows in one place at one time."


Well, too include himself. He did attend.

But, let me get to the actual meat and potatoes of this..

"Diane, a "tell-it-how-it-is" female Big Foot researcher, reminded us that not every broken branch in the woods can be attributed to Big Foot and that other known animals such as bears also make footprints on the odd occasion.

She was remarkably logical and scientific, but blew all credibility when she admitted she still believed in Big Foot, although she had never actually seen it herself.

Her credibility was further called into question when, in the early hours, rather than being out on one of the scheduled night hunts, she chose to stay in the Wild Things bar and pashed not one, but two different camouflage-wearing Big Foot enthusiasts."


The first part of this is fine, but then he apparently gets confused that he actually said something nice and not totally partisan and calls Diane's credibility into question for what he says "believing bigfoot exists". He then goes on to say her credibility is further questioned because she chose to stay at the bar, rather than getting into the field on one of the night time operations....

Excuse me, but isn't this a conference? I'm not sure how things work in New Zealand, but here, people have the right to decide if they want to do something, or do their own thing. I find his logic confusing and frankly, uneducated. I would frankly applaud Diane for staying in the lodge and drinking, instead of being in the field drinking. I bet he knows what I'm talking about here... :)

Now, this really gets me.

"He was clearly emotionally scarred by his "encounter" and had trouble talking about the details without crying, getting feedback from the microphone or talking in a voice that suggested his testicles were being given a powerful foot massage.

This guy was so emotional you would think that rather than just seeing a Big Foot eating berries in the woods, he had been gang raped by five of them. He also blamed Big Foot for his overweight condition."


When you type the words "Clearly emotionally scarred" that means you actually believe this person has suffered an emotionally traumatic event. So, the proper and professional way to deal with it is to verbally assault him? What an unfeeling asshole you are.

First of all, this person is a member in good standing with the American Bigfoot Society. He has NEVER said his encounter is the source of his weight gain, so that is a clear LIE. That is an outright fabrication. This person has never made this claim to myself or anyone else. Instead he gave another very valid reason for his weight. But, even if he would tie his sighting to his weight gain, it would make sense as most people who suffer emotional trauma do have the specific problem stated by this unfeeling journalist.

I would suggest this guy get a PHD in psychiatry before he decides to poorly psychoanalyze anyone in this manner. His lack of professional conduct is clear and his knowledge of people who have suffered traumatic events is evidence he has no clue as to what he is talking about. He wrote this paragraph to simply pick on someone, who could not defend himself. Period.

This was the first time discussing his encounter in front of a large group of people for this researcher. I commend him for doing so, and would ask that he not let 1 in 450 ruin the months of hard work that lead to such an incredible amount of self determination and confidence that allowed him to get up in front of all those people, to do what he felt was right.

"The most fascinating thing about a Big Foot conference, however, is the internal politics or infighting that goes on between various factions. There is of course the BFRO, or Big Foot Research Organisation, the OBFRC, or Ohio Big Foot research Centre, the WBFRO, or Wisconsin Big Foot Research Organisation, the United Big Foot Research Society and, of course, the BFUFOSDI, or Big Foot, UFO and Submersible Dinosaur Institute, run by the controversial Dr Gerry Garciamansoin, to name just a few.

These organizations are battling it out for column inches, T-shirt sales, and website hits. To have the upper hand they obviously need to bad mouth each other, call into question others' expertise and techniques, and generally promote themselves as the one true organisation. The parallels with religion are obvious, as we have many idiots believing in something they can't actually see, yet they are prepared to fight to ensure that their particular blind faith is more dominant than someone else's."


Well, he was close, but he screwed this up too. There is much infighting and what he discusses. BUT.. There are only 2 organizational names I recognize, and neither care about the other... Near as I can tell and I know everyone's dirty laundry.

HEY, research is your friend!!! (it also helps you write better articles with actual information of value)

"I saw an opportunity, and volunteered to speak. I began by introducing myself as a director from New Zealand, then proceeded to educate the KFC-eating audience about the KFC-eating Waitakere Yeti. Borrowing from the American Indian "sasquatch" legend I told them that our native Maori had encountered the beast more than 400 years ago and affectionately called him Ngawa Whakata Cafe, which loosely translates into "large, hairy, coffee-coloured man". The fact that coffee had only been in the country for 150 years or so was a detail that didn't seem to bother them.

I told them that our beast was less shy than theirs and had been known to rape campers or trampers, the most documented case been that of Travis Collins who was raped by the beast, not once but three times over a four-year period.

They also believed that back in New Zealand I currently ran the largest faeces analysis machine in the world, giving me a standing ovation when I finally left the podium."


Do you know what separates this guy from a legit bigfoot researcher? The legit researchers (had they known) would have run him out of the state for this kind of a stunt. He might think it's funny, but bigfoot researchers take hoaxed accounts like this seriously.

Question for our not so funny friend.. He is degrading those who actually bought into his story, but how could they know how long coffee has been in New Zealand while sitting in an audience at a conference? It's not as if you gave them any time to actually check out your story.. So, you intentionally tried to hoax, and you think that gives you some level of credibility in the minds of those who read your crappy article?

I know of at least 10 people who would have busted you right in that auditorium for that lie, but giving them a heads up, so they could do some normal fact checking, wouldn't have been as funny when you returned home to publish your trash article. Researchers in this call out hoaxers every single day. So you apparently do not know, or even care to know, the kind of people you chose to belittle.

"Had I not handed out fake business cards I suspect there would be hundreds of plastic bags of humanoid shit landing on my doorstep as we speak.


I would still expect that to happen. Bigfooters are extremely resourceful, and do not appreciate being mistreated and put down so you can make a buck.

Congratulations to you. You told lies, you misrepresented yourself, and poked fun at overweight people and women. In return you made a buck off good people who are trying to do what they feel is right. What I find very interesting is that this journalist states he went to the Ohio Conference to do work for a documentary, but then decided the people were more interesting - yet, never disclosed this important fact to all those he interviewed, even after he decided to change the intent for his visit (if what he is saying is true about his intent). Clearly a man with no moral compass. If what he felt he was doing was so great, why didn't he just tell everyone that was his intent. He has the right to not agree with anyone. Hell, I know some there that would have really given him a run for his money on an intellectual level regarding this animal. Yet, he chose to focus on the sensation and if he couldn't do that, he decided to make it up.

That does not earn you credibility, it earns you the title of asshole.

For those who would like to contact the New Zealand Herald:

How to contact via email.

http://dynamic.nzherald.co.nz/feedback/letters/index.cfm?

To contact the newspaper by Post:

The New Zealand Herald
PO Box 32
Auckland
New Zealand

By Phone:
(09) 379-5050
Newstips 0800 HERALD (0800 437-253)
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By Fax:
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