Does Bigfoot really exist? Could it be residing
in the USA as witnesses are telling us? Dan and Nat meet with
the latest researchers and scientists who have devoted their
lives to the hunt for Bigfoot, finding where these animals
are currently being sighted and what research is being done
to prove their existence.
Dan and Nat embark on two expeditions fully equipped with
the latest technology. The first expedition revisits Washington
State and the second has the AXNMU travelling to Texas –
where they hope to prove that Bigfoot exists. They are joined
on the Texas expedition by local Bigfoot Researcher, Chester
Moore. Together with thermal imaging equipment, motion sensor
cameras, pheromones, call recordings and boating equipment
they attempt to capture conclusive proof of the existence
of Bigfoot.
Whilst in the USA, they also talk with primatologists and
primate keepers about the behavioural characteristics of Apes
to help them out with their investigations. Could these animals
simply be an unidentified type of ape or maybe even the missing
link that science has been looking for?
WHAT
IS BIGFOOT?
Bigfoot
is a creature that has been sighted by countless witnesses
throughout the world. This elusive beast, also known as the
Sasquatch, the Yowie, the Skunk Ape, Yeti or Ape Man is yet
to be proven scientifically. However many scholars, researchers
and scientists have chosen to devote their lives to researching
the behaviour and habitats of this beast.
Bigfoot
is said to stand about seven and half feet tall with thick
hair covering nearly the entire body- excluding the hands
and face.
An extreme stench usually accompanies the creatures as they
slowly travel through an eerily silent forest. Most reports
place the creatures alone, usually at the dead of night. The
only collectable evidence in areas where this animal has supposedly
been sighted are footprints. It is this piece of evidence
that has led to this animal most commonly being referred to
as Bigfoot.
One of the leading events for Bigfoot experts and amateurs
is definitely the Texas Bigfoot Conference. This conference
is put together by Craig Woolheater from the Texas Bigfoot
Research Organisation www.texasbigfoot.com
The Animal X Natural Mystery Unit were kindly invited to attend
the Conference, which featured an incredible lineup of Bigfoot
Experts and Speakers including:
Jimmy Chilcutt
Jimmy is the latent fingerprint examiner for the Conroe
Police Department who believes he has proven the existence
of nonhuman primates with latent print examination.
Rick Noll
(Bigfoot Reseacher and speaker for Pacific Northwest Field
Research Techniques)
Rick has a great deal of experience with the Sasquatch.
He has been searching for it since 1969. Rick was one of
the members of the team when the Skookum Cast was discovered
in Animal X, Series Two.
M. K. Davis
Mr Davis discussed his analysis of the Patterson/Gimlin
film. He believes that he can prove that this footage is
real.
Chester Moore, Jr.
(Bigfoot Hunter and Researcher)
Chester Moore is a full-time journalist who focuses on producing
articles featuring wildlife conservation, fishing, hunting
and of course Cryptozoology. He takes the AXNMU out into
the wilds of Texas, where they discover something very strange.
The
Texas Bigfoot Conference is run by Craig Woolheater. Here is a little
information on the man behind the conference from the Texas Bigfoot
Website at www.texasbigfoot.com
What
is the basis of your interest in this field?
When I was a child I was always interested in strange and unusual
subjects. I was extremely interested in dinosaurs as I'm sure
most kids are. When I was 9 years old the story of the Lake Worth
Monster hit the front page of the Ft. Worth Star Telegram. My
grandparents had a cabin cruiser boat on Eagle Mountain Lake which
was separated by a dam from Lake Worth. I had spent many a night
on that boat anchored out in the middle of Eagle Mountain Lake.
As you can guess, the many scenarios involving the creature ran
through my head. The story died down in November of 1969. The
next year I obtained a copy of John A. Keel's book "Strange
Creatures from Time & Space". It was very influential
to me. Of course, like probably everyone else in our group, I
saw the movie "The Legend of Boggy Creek". I saw it
in the theater and it made me think about the possibility that
Bigfoot was closer to me than I had previously thought.
Have
you had a personal sighting or experience?
I have had a sighting of what I believe was a Bigfoot creature.
It occurred while driving back to Dallas from New Orleans on May
30, 1994. We were about 175 miles Northwest of New Orleans on
an unlit 2 lane highway approaching Alexandria, LA. There wasn't
a moon out and it was very dark. We were traveling at approximately
75 mph and it was approximately midnight. There was no shoulder
to the road and it dipped down into a small ditch on either side
of the road. It was about 25 to 30 feet to the wood line from
the road. About halfway to the wood line, a figure was visible
in the illumination of my headlights. It appeared to be about
7 foot tall, hairy and looked to be gray. It's back was towards
us and it was walking in the direction we were traveling, parallel
to the road. My wife, then girlfriend, and I looked at each other
and simultaneously said "Did you just see what I saw?".
I wanted to stop and go back, but she did not. I was driving an
Isuzu Amigo with the soft top rolled up, so I could see why she
wasn't in favor of this. It did become a topic of long discussion
for the remainder of the trip.
What
made you decide to join a research group and why did you choose
the Texas Bigfoot Research Center?
Like I said, I was curious about these kinds of things since childhood.
I made a point to watch any documentaries about anything that
was unexplained like UFO's and Cryptozoology in general. When
I got on the Internet in 1997, I started looking up websites that
dealt with this subject matter. I started buying books on eBay
about Bigfoot & Cryptozoology. I searched long and hard to
find a copy of John Keel's book that had such an impact on me.
In early 1999, I was on an email list and there was a message
from Luke Gross inquiring if there was anyone in North Texas that
was interested in researching Bigfoot. I jumped at the opportunity.
We formed the Texas Bigfoot Research Center in July of 1999. The
rest as they say is history.
What
do your family and friends think of your interest in Bigfoot?
I am very open about my passion for Bigfoot research. My family
is very supportive and has helped with the planning and execution
of our Texas Bigfoot Conference. I don't shy away from the subject.
Most of my friends are aware of what I do in my spare time and
are fairly supportive.
What
do you hope to accomplish by being a part of this group? What
is your ultimate goal in Bigfoot research?
My goal is to get undeniable video and photographic evidence of
this creature. I would also like to obtain a DNA sample that could
help to prove this creature's existence without harming it. I
don't have to prove it to myself- I've seen one. I would like
to have video or a photo that I could show my friends and family
to be able to validate my "hobby".
LINKS
Please see the following links for more information -