Sasquatch Tracks

On this episode of Sasquatch Tracks, after news and discussion about the latest happenings in the world of Sasquatchery, we are joined by Marine Biologist and former law enforcement and security specialist Bruce Champagne. Bruce has been involved with the investigation of relict hominoids and other cryptids for over forty years, and has been published in the Woodknocks: Journal of Sasquatch Research, Journal of Cryptozoology, International Cryptozoology Journal, and Elementum Bestia and Dracontology cryptozoology-related journals. Bruce joins us to discuss his research related to sightings of relict hominoids in desert locations, and also his extensive work regarding aquatic cryptids. Champagne has produced a detailed classification system that looks at the varieties of unknown aquatic animals reported over the years, which we discuss with him on this edition of Sasquatch Tracks. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Bruce Champagne at the Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology The Champagne Classification System of Aquatic Cryptids Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this special edition of Sasquatch Tracks, the team is joined by researchers David Ellis and Julie Rench, who discuss their ongoing research with audio recordings of unknown provenance in various parts of the United States. Joining us to discuss this unique research, Julie brings us a remarkable selection of recordings she has made near the Uwharrie National Forest in North Carolina, with comparisons to similar recording types David has been collecting for years in the Pacific Northwest. David Ellis was born and currently lives in Washington State. He obtained his BA degree in Psychology from the University of Washington in 1974, and now retired, David lives in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. Ellis has followed the Bigfoot Phenomenon since 1963, but became involved in the field in 2006, and joined the Olympic Project with Derek Randles in 2010. In addition to field studies and track casting methods, Ellis also taught himself to record and edit field recordings. This analysis led him to collect hundreds of suspicious audio vocalizations clips. To date, he has reviewed 1,000s of hours of audio using Bio-acoustics methods of analysis, which we'll have him tell us more about over the course of this discussion. Julie Rench has been a field investigator for many years now, focusing her attention on the area near where she resides, the Uwharrie National Forest, which in recent years has become a focal point of activity right here in the Old North State. Like David, investigates the possibility that Sasquatch exists, and has had an interest in unknown phenomena for several years. She is a member of the Carolina Cryptid Research Group, a co-host on Monster X Radio's podcast "On the Shoulders of Giants with Thomas Steenburg" and others. Julie has been conducting an audio collection and analysis project in the area, and tonight both of them join us not only to discuss this, but also to analyze some of that audio they have collected, which we'll be featuring over the course of this discussion. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: David Ellis at the Olympic Project Website Julie Rench on Facebook Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this edition of Sasquatch Tracks, the team is joined by researcher and educator Amy Bue, Co-founder of Project Zoobook and member of the Olympic Project Bigfoot Research Team. Amy is also the head of Amy's Bucket List Expeditions (ABLE), and a former investigator for the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization. A language arts teacher, writer, and editor from Ohio, Amy Bue became interested in the search for Bigfoot after seeing something strange in Ohio's Mahoning County in 2012. While her main research areas are in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest and Ohio's Columbiana County, Amy has traveled to New York State, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington State, West Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, and all over Ohio following up leads. Creekfoot, a well-loved biannual Bigfooting event in Ohio, was created by Amy and her research partner, Tina Sams. Much of Amy's efforts have been put into her Project Zoobook, a group she co-founded comprised of primate zookeepers, primatologists, wildlife biologists, marine biologists, forestry workers, archaeologists, anthropologists, university professors, law enforcement officials, and other scientists working alongside Bigfoot researchers from across the country. She was given the International Bigfoot Conference's 2018 Dedicated Researcher Award for her work with this group. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Amy Bue's Facebook Page Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

In 1924, a group of miners who had been prospecting near the southeast shoulder of Mount St. Helens, Washington, returned from the wilderness with a hair-raising story. The men claimed they had been attacked by "apemen", who bombarded their remote cabin with stones after firing their weapons at one of the creatures. Known today as the Ape Canyon incident, it is regarded by some as one of the earliest widely-publicized stories in American newspapers involving what would become known as Sasquatch or Bigfoot in the years that followed. There is no researcher who has looked more deeply into the history of the incident at Ape Canyon than Marc Myrsell, a land surveyor and researcher who has compiled an impressive amount of information about the story, having interviewed living witnesses and even located the site of the cabin where the miners were purportedly attacked. Myrsell joins us to discuss his research into the case, which has turned up new leads, and helped to dispel some of the rumors and misconceptions about the controversial story. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Marc Myrsell on Facebook Original Newspaper Headline from July 17, 1924 Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this edition of Sasquatch Tracks, the team is joined by legendary television producer Doug Hajicek, creator of programs and documentaries like Monster Quest, Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science, Giganto: America's King Kong, Mysterious Encounters, and several others. In addition to his television work related to applying science toward the search for Sasquatch, Doug Hajicek has produced programming and contributed to papers and research related to a variety different animal species. Some of his recent work involves bears and their habitats, as well as their hibernation behavior, and several other programs and projects having to do with the natural world. Doug talks with the team not only about his fascination with the subject of Sasquatch, but also shares a number of his own personal experiences from over the years. Many of these occur at what he terms "border" locations, which were formative in his own pursuit of producing television programming about the search for Sasquatch. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Doug Hajicek on Facebook Doug's Podcast: Untold Radio AM Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this edition of Sasquatch Tracks, we turn a critical eye toward a possible sighting report from the Pacific Northwest, as some residents say they observed a large animal near a secluded roadway. We also touch on gorillas recently treated for COVID-19 at one U.S. zoo, and the possible implications regarding America's purported relict hominoid. Then joining us for a discussion about his research in West Virginia is Dr. Russ Jones, a chiropractor and longtime BFRO investigator whose book, Tracking the Stone Man: West Virginia's Bigfoot explores the region's history and involvement with the search for purported relict hominoids. As a graduate of the state's master naturalist program, he lends his skills in nature studies toward answering the long-held questions about whether there are undiscovered species in America's remotest corners. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Possible sighting shocks, excites residents of small B.C. community Captive gorillas test positive for coronavirus Gorilla treated with antibodies recovering from COVID, says US zoo Tracking the Stone Man: West Virginia's Bigfoot Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this edition of Sasquatch Tracks, Smoky and Jeff lead up by bringing Micah up to date on a recent field excursion of theirs, and Micah revisits a discussion with folklorist Thomas E. Bullard where they discussed the American tradition involving hairy bipeds. Then getting to the heart of the main topic at hand, we examine why an Oklahoma lawmaker has recently proposed legislation that seeks to establish laws related to hunting Sasquatch. In fact, it isn't the first time ordinances have been passed related to hunting, and potentially shooting Sasquatch (as well as some of their more mythical animal kindred). While the idea of hunting what many already only take to be a mythical animal may seem nonsensical, we look at how the serious research community might be potentially affected by such legislation, as well as the creatures themselves. More fundamentally, we look at what other laws already in existence indicate about what would happen if one of the creatures were ever killed; what authorities would become involved, and where would the body likely be taken thereafter? We even look at the Smithsonian Institution's involvement in cases where mysterious, humanlike remains have turned up in the past, and finally, government documents that discuss whether the creatures would become a protected species if a body were ever finally claimed for science. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: A Bigfoot hunting season in Oklahoma? Here's why a lawmaker filed this unusual bill. Bigfoot Act from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission City of Douglas, Wyoming Jackalope Hunting License The 'Siege' at Honobia - BFRO Website Washington Laws Make It Illegal to Kill Bigfoot, If He Exists Killing Sasquatch: The Debate Between Law, Science, and Conservation What Would Happen if Someone Ever Really Did Find Sasquatch Remains: Part 1 What Would Happen if Someone Ever Really Did Find Sasquatch Remains: Part 2 Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this special holiday edition of Sasquatch Tracks, the team calls in from remote and snowy corners across the globe for a historical deep-dive in pursuit of the true story behind the first purported relict hominoid ever to have risen to worldwide fame, the yeti, or "Abominable Snowman." In addition to the origins behind its name, we look at the historic record of sightings dating back to the 18th century, and study the notable accounts from over the years which support the existence of an unknown, manlike creature in the Himalayas. Or, could there be even more than one variety? We also examine the controversies that have arisen with relation to the creature over the decades, and finally, one scientist's observation in 1991 that could present the strongest case yet for the existence of the creature. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Bryan Sykes Dies: Brought Genetics Credibility to Hominology Studies Link to Abominable Snowman article archive at Bigfoot Encounters How an 18th Century Anatomical Dictionary from Tibet Offered Evidence of the Legendary Yeti Major Waddell and the Yeti: A Tale of Footprints in the Himalayan Snow Observations of a YETI in the Himalayas of Tiber 1991 field report Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this edition of Sasquatch Tracks, the gents lead off with a discussion about the influence of classic late-night radio on modern Sasquatch podcasts, and why finding a balance between entertainment and the presentation of scientifically literate perspectives on the issue of relict hominoids is important to the citizen science effort. Then we are joined by our guest, Shelly Covington Montana, a Texas native whose work may be one of the best representations of citizen science being applied in this field. Shelly grew up in a law enforcement family, and drew inspiration from the forensic science work that her father and others relied on for investigation. She combines the fundamentals of forensic science with extensive training in animal tracking to create a formidable tool kit for Sasquatch research. In addition to the work she has conducted over the years, Shelly discusses some breaking developments in the field, along with her own personal experiences, which she discusses with us in-depth on this edition of Sasquatch Tracks. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Shelly Covington Montana's page at The Olympic Project CyberTracker Online Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this edition of Sasquatch Tracks, after a bit of discussion geared around the Halloween season, we are joined for a lengthy discussion with Matt Pruitt, a longtime researcher of the Sasquatch mystery and current member of the North American Wood Ape Conservancy (NAWAC). Matt Pruitt grew up in the mountains of Northeast Georgia, and has been conducting active sasquatch field research for several years following his first encounter in 1999. In addition to being a member of the North American Wood Ape Conservancy, he was formerly an investigator, field researcher, and expedition organizer for the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO). He has conducted field research in many different locations across North America. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Matt Pruitt's Blog The Official Website of the Sasquatch Contact Initiative The North American Wood Ape Conservancy Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this installment of Sasquatch Tracks, we lead off with some discussion of legendary wild men the likes of Enkidu, the beastly companion of Gilgamesh in the famous Mesopotamian epic. We also discuss historic encounters, and an update on the strange happenings at Crater Lake, Oregon from over the years. We also check in with a few emails from listeners, and other happenings in Sasquatchery. Then we are joined by Stacy Brown Jr., a filmmaker and winner of the Bigfoot Bounty television program. Brown's story began with a personal observation of a seven-foot-tall animal in Florida, which led him to begin researching similar sightings in his region. His historical work digging through newspaper archives and interviewing witnesses led to his producing and directing The Skunk Ape Lives, a documentary featuring very intriguing FLIR footage of a large humanoid obtained by Brown and his late father, Stacy Brown Sr. We discuss Brown's research, his personal experiences, and his filmmaking projects on this edition of Sasquatch Tracks. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: The official Facebook page of Stacy Brown Jr. Watch The Skunk Ape Lives on Prime Video Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

Have you ever heard of a "Hoop Snake"? This is one of many frontier legends that were popularized throughout the 19th century, but Micah leads off with a recollection by a family member who claimed, as a child, to have seen such a creature. Also on the subject of myth and folklore, we look at the claims that a large creature might have been discovered by NOAA in the 1990s, which turned out to have a simpler explanation. Then getting to the heart of the discussion, we are joined by author Lyle Blackburn, a native Texan known for his work in writing, music, and film. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including "The Beast of Boggy Creek" and "Lizard Man," whose subject matter reflects his life-long fascination with legends and sighting reports of unknown creatures. Lyle is also the founder of the rock band, Ghoultown, and narrator/producer of documentary films such as "The Mothman of Point Pleasant" and "Boggy Creek Monster." We discuss Lyle's projects, as well as his latest book "Sinister Swamps" on this edition of Sasquatch Tracks. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: The official web page of Lyle Blackburn The Beast of Boggy Creek and other books by Lyle Blackburn Lyle's "Monstro Bizarro" Online Store Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this edition of Sasquatch Tracks, after opening news and discussion, we turn our attention to an often-overlooked aspect of the discussion about America's Relict Hominoid: what does the government say about Sasquatch? It may come as a surprise that on many occasions, government agencies have weighed in on the subject, which includes the Department of the Interior, the Army Corps of Engineers, and yes, even the FBI. We go directly to the sources and reference official documents that show how government agencies have addressed the subject of Sasquatch over the years. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: The Smith Brothers Chronological History of Crater Lake Main Page George Morrison's Sighting (Updated) An Uncommon History: Strange Things Were "Afoot" at Oregon's Crater Lake, According to These Former Park Rangers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Files on Sasquatch "Are We Ready For "Bigfoot" or the Loch Ness Monster? U.S. Government Sasquatch Report From Department of Interior (via National Cryptid Society) Army Corps of Engineers Files on Sasquatch Environmental Map of Washington Featuring Sasquatch (p. 53, via The Black Vault) FBI Files on Sasquatch Bigfoot Part 01 of 01 Links to CIA Files that mention "Bigfoot" The CIA's Reading Room Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

As the gents of cryptozoology get behind the microphone for another installment of Sasquatch Tracks, Micah debriefs Jeff and Smoky about his recent studies in the history of Sasquatchery, and the surprising amount of information that can be found in the historical record in America pertaining to stories of "wild men" and ape-like humanoids throughout the centuries. Then later in the program, we are joined by journalist and podcaster Laura Krantz, host and producer of the popular Wild Thing podcast, which explores the subject of Sasquatch in relation to science and culture. According to the podcast's website, "Wild Thing is Laura's journey into the world of Bigfoot, introducing us to the true believers and the I-want-to-believers, while seeking to explore why this creature ignites our imaginations, where that fascination comes from, and why it persists." Stories and other links discussed in this episode: The Historical Bigfoot, Second Edition by Chad Arment The Official Website of Laura Krantz Wild Thing Podcast Season One: Sasquatch, science and society Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this episode of Sasquatch Tracks, we continue our discussion with Idaho State University professor of Anatomy and Anthropology Jeff Meldrum, Ph.D., as he answers more of our questions about the scientific study of Sasquatch. Picking up where we left off with Dr. Meldrum on the last installment of the podcast, we get his ideas and opinions on the anatomy of Sasquatch, and what the creature would subsist on in remote areas like the Pacific Northwest. We also look at why the creatures are purported to be so large, and what unusual characteristics they might possess that make them both similar to, and in many ways different from humans. Then after concluding our discussion with Dr. Meldrum, the Sasquatch Tracks team goes over some of our big takeaways from this discussion, along with additional commentary on how science can be applied to the study of America's Great Ape. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: The Relict Hominoid Inquiry (Idaho State University) "Paradigm Shifts and the Search for Relict Hominoids" by Jeff Meldrum "On the Plausibility of Another Bipedal Primate Species Existing in North America" Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science by Dr. Jeff Meldrum Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this edition of Sasquatch Tracks, we are joined by Idaho State University professor Dr. Jeff Meldrum for the first in a two-part series that will examine how science can be applied to the study of Sasquatch. Meldrum holds a doctorate in anatomical sciences with an emphasis in physical anthropology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (1989). He is currently a Full Professor of Anatomy & Anthropology in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Anthropology. In this first installment of the two-part series, we take a look back at Meldrum's professional interest in ichnotaxonomy - the branch of taxonomy that attempts to classify an animal based on its footprints - and how he has applied this to the study of Sasquatch. In 2007, Meldrum proposed Anthropoidipes ameriborealis as the formal ichnotaxon for the Sasquatch, based on footprints h has studied throughout the course of his career. We discuss the most compelling footprint data he has viewed, as well as Dr. Meldrum's thoughts on the famous Patterson/Gimlin Film made in Bluff Creek, California in 1967, and much more. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: The Relict Hominoid Inquiry (Idaho State University) "Paradigm Shifts and the Search for Relict Hominoids" by Jeff Meldrum "On the Plausibility of Another Bipedal Primate Species Existing in North America" Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science by Dr. Jeff Meldrum Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this episode of Sasquatch Tracks, after a discussion of animal tracking where Jeff fills us in about his recent experience making paster castings of a set of well-preserved black bear tracks, we are joined by the legendary big-game tracker, conservationist and Sasquatch seeker Peter Byrne. At age 94, Byrne may be the world's most accomplished professional Bigfoot tracker alive today, having devoted decades of time and funding to the search for America's most elusive animal. Byrne began his search for relict hominoids in Nepal with the famous Yeti, before arriving in America at the invitation of Texas philanthropist Tom Slick to go in search of Bigfoot in the California wilderness. Byrne was even on the scene at the legendary film site near Bluff Creek, California, shortly after Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin made what is arguably one of the most controversial and widely-discussed pieces of film footage of all time. We talk with Peter about his fieldwork over the last several decades, as we hear stories about the life and times of a legend who searched for Sasquatch. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: The Official Website of Peter C. Byrne The Hunt for Bigfoot by Peter Byrne (Amazon) In Search of Bigfoot (the 1977 television classic) Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.

On this inaugural edition of Sasquatch Tracks, we introduce the team (you can read more about us here) as we sit down to talk about who we are, what we aim to do with Sasquatch Tracks, and the role of "citizen scientists" in the study of nature and unidentified species. We are then joined by phone for an interview with naturalist David George Gordon, author of The Sasquatch Seeker's Field Manual, to talk about applying science and field research methods to the search for America's favorite relict hominoid. Gordon is the award-winning author of The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook, The Sasquatch Seeker's Field Manual, and 18 other titles. He is also The Bug Chef, having brought his exotic cuisine before groups that include the Explorers Club, The Smithsonian, Microsoft, and Ripley's Believe It or Not! museums in Hollywood and Times Square and appeared on Conan O'Brien, James Corden and The View. Gordon lives in Seattle. Stories and other links discussed in this episode: Homepage for David G. Gordon Article: "Speaking Sasquatch" VIDEO: David G. Gordon on The Sasquatch Seeker's Field Manual Follow Sasquatch Tracks on Twitter. Got a news tip or story to share? Send us an Email. Have you seen an animal you can't identify? Submit a report here.