Research

This page hosts a series of informative articles I have written on the subject of bigfoot. They are intended to be introductory articles for those new to the bigfoot world. I will also publish any personal findings I have from my own expeditions here.

Quick Directory

Researchers
Research Methods

    

Researchers

    Largely due to a lack of funding, as well as main stream science avoiding the topic, bigfoot research has been left to enthusiasts and the occasional daring scientist. Below, I have compiled a list of the common types of researchers found in the bigfoot world.

 

Academic Researchers:

Dr. Meldrum - isu.edu/~meldd/

    These bigfooters are the most respected and renown of researchers in the bigfoot world. They often have years of education to support their conclusions and they are known for conducting scientific and professional research. Aside from Dr. Jane Goodall, arguably the most notable of these bigfooters is Dr. Jeff Meldrum, a Professor of Anthropology and Anatomy at Idaho State University who specializes in foot morphology and primate locomotion. He is the author of several acclaimed books on sasquatch and his lab houses the largest collection of bigfoot footprint casts in the world. 

Formally Trained Researchers:

    These bigfooters have some sort of background in the sciences or are recognized as professional, respectable researchers. For this reason their evidence is considered more trustworthy than the average internet researcher. Two examples of these are Cliff Barackman and Ranae Holland (both of Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot). Mr. Barackman, a professional educator and veteran bigfoot researcher, has spent years of his life scouring the forests of North America. His website hosts much evidence he has personally discovered, along with field reports and follow ups to investigations. He is known as a professional and level-headed researcher. Ranae Holland, Research Biologist and graduate of the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, is another reputable researcher. She is a known skeptic and commonly states that she does not believe in the existence of bigfoot. Many bigfooters think unfavorably of her because of this. I think it is a good thing. The idea behind the scientific process is to approach objects of investigation with a neutral, purely empirical attitude. Doing this will not only build creditability, but also ease the acceptance of bigfoot research into main stream science.

Internet Researchers:

Photo by matsukawa - Flickr.com

    Although the internet is the largest medium used to discuss bigfoot, I am using the term “internet researchers” to refer to a very specific form of bigfooter. These individuals largely use Youtube to share videos of their experiences. (Often they do not have a background in any of the sciences, and are not formally trained as researchers.) The evidence these researchers collect is the easiest to dismiss as it is often inconclusive, but occasionally they will capture very intriguing video. The role they play in the world of bigfoot research is a vital one. Their videos often spark thoughtful discussions in an easily accessible public medium (Youtube) and can attract the attention of many non-believers.

Organizations

    There are many organizations that are dedicated to bigfoot research. However, very few are as well known as the BFRO. The BFRO (Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization) is known for conducting investigations all around the United States using hi-tech equipment. It is composed of bigfoot researchers and enthusiasts who dedicate their time and money to researching this animal. But not all reports about the BFRO are good. In the past, other bigfoot research organizations have reported less-than-polite interactions between their group and the BFRO. Whether there is any truth to these reports, or if they are just the product of bad relations between rival organizations, remains to be seen. 

Research Methods

    There are many different techniques used in bigfoot research. Below, I have listed the most common.

Baiting:

    Baiting a sasquatch involves playing on the animal’s curiosity. Generally, baited areas are also rigged with automatic cameras. Most baiting techniques involve leaving out foods (fruits, peanut butter, etc) in the hope that a sasquatch will get the scent and come by for a snack. When it does, the idea is the automatic camera will manage to snap a photo of the hungry bigfoot. Other forms of baiting include hanging pheromone chips from trees, wood knocking, or attempting to lure in a curious sasquatch by just hanging out in the woods. (Many bigfoot reports tell of the animals watching groups of partiers, campers, or hikers. Some researchers think the bigfoots get curious when they find humans hanging out in the woods.)

Sound Blasting:

    As quoted from www.bigfoothunting.com:

       

   “Call blasting, sound blasting, or vocalization is a technique of   

    using recordings of supposed Bigfoot sounds and playing 

Photo by ashley.adcox - Flickr.com

    them loudly throughout the forest.” 

    In theory, this should work just like bird calls or deer calls and attract bigfoots or spur them to respond. However, there are problems with sound blasting.   

1. We do not know for sure if the sounds being blasted are actual bigfoot recordings.        
2. Assuming the sound is from a bigfoot, we do not know what message each sound is supposed to convey. For all we know we could be telling them: “Run away!”        
3. It is possible that bigfoots can tell the difference between a real vocalization and an audio recording. Recordings distort the sound slightly.

    Used in the field, sound blasting has been met with mixed results. Researchers continue to use it, or avoid it, based on personal preference. (Note: Another, less used form of sound blasting is making the vocalization yourself. This was popularized  by the BFRO.)   

Film and Photo:

    Similar to the research many internet researchers conduct, another method is to hike through the forest (in areas suspected of bigfoot activity) with a camera rolling. I have heard some researchers have developed an interesting new take on this tactic -- pointing the camera behind them. Some believe that sasquatches are more likely to peek out from behind cover when a person has their back turned. Other forms of this research method include hiking through the forest at night with thermal cameras.

    In terms of photography, the most commonly used method is to set up stationary, camouflaged trail cameras throughout areas bigfoots are thought to frequent (game trails, water sources, etc). 

Habituation:

    Another method of researching, though much less common, is habituating. This is where a human interacts repeatedly with a bigfoot. (Some habituators places food in the same location time and time again in the hopes of creating a trust system with bigfoots in the area.) There are no documented cases (that I know of) of habituating producing any photo or video evidence. Some argue that habituating is harmful towards bigfoots, as it could make them too trusting towards humans as it does to other animals.