The Adventure – Going Hunting for Bigfoot in Sasquatch Territory
I was going night-squatchin’ with a group of professional sasquatch hunters.
That’s right…I went out into the deep, dark recesses of the forest to search for an elusive man with really big feet.
This is the stuff that legends are made of.
What prompted this adventure, other than the fact that I’ve never gone sasquatch hunting before, is the adventure of the unknown.
I mean, what if there really is something out there that hasn’t yet been ‘officially’ discovered? All around the world, new discoveries are taking place, whether it be a new species or underwater city.
And think about it…there have been sightings of this legendary creature for centuries, and not just in the Pacific Northwest. People from all over the world have made claims for its existence.
Armed with a signed non-disclosure agreement and my putt-putt car, I drove 4 hours to a remote location to meet up with the expedition team.
That’s right, I was going night-squatchin’…in search of a hairy man with really big feet. Hunting for the mighty bigfoot in sasquatch territory!
The Bigfoot Research Organization (BFRO) finally agreed to let me join them on one of their expeditions after an interview process that I can only assume was used to determine whether I was serious or not – or maybe just crazy. I am sure the world of cryptozoology draws all kinds from different walks of life.
All I knew was that sightings of this legendary creature was on a global scale – not just the Pacific Northwest – so there had to be something to it.
The Bigfoot Research Organization (BFRO)
What drew me to this group in the first place is that the applicants are screened – not just anybody can join. After I passed the initial screening, I was invited to join the group on an expedition. It was refreshing to be amongst people who were genuinely curious and like-minded.
Based on scientific protocols, this group explores the mystery surrounding the sasquatch.
But, really, at a much deeper level, I felt as though a part of me was living out my childhood fantasies. You know, the one where faeries, talking animals, and other types of mythical creatures exist. I was actually pursuing that which I loved as a child, the thrill of wonderment!
It is unfortunate that we’re all grown up now and no longer in awe of such things. Very little thrills us the way we were once thrilled as children. A time when the colours were brighter, everything was new and shiny, and the Jack-in-the-Box got us every time. SURPRISE!!!! Our big-footed friend appeals to so many of us because he is that surprise-in-the-box which gets us every time we think about him. So for all of us that hold on tight to the curious child mind within, with your eyes as big as saucers, be thankful the world still holds some magic waiting to be discovered.
Curious as I am, this, no doubt, will become an ongoing adventure for me. Even if I don’t run into this hard-to-get man with really big feet, it’s still a win-win. I get to go triapsing about in the forest with really cool techno-gear with some truly incredible people. Lucky me!
Sasquatches run in the family?
I didn’t know this until recently, but apparently Sasquatch hunting runs in my family. Well, maybe more like it married into our family.
Bob Titmus, a bigfoot hunter for over 40 years, was married to my Tata Anna – my great Aunt. Apparently, he was renowned in the bigfoot circles and very well-respected. There’s tonnes of stuff written about him.
A cryptid of many names…
Depending on the location, the bigfoot has the following names: Yeti, Yeren, Yowie, Orang Kubu, Beruang Rambai, Orang Gadang, Zana, Mono Rei, Grey Man, rakshasa, meh-the, abominable snowman, Jangali Mosh, Barmanu, Chuchunaa, wildman, Yahoo, Great Hair Moehau, Orang Dalam, Orang Sanat, Sedapa, Wookie, Momo, MacDhu, and Liath Mori….just to name a few.
- Sightings occur on almost a daily basis.
- Bigfoot is variously described as standing 7–10 ft tall and weighing over 500 lb, with footprints 17 inches long.
- In 1967, Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin shot the infamous footage of the Bigfoot at Bluff Creek, California. See top video in sidebar.
- Footprints are typically around 14 inches by 7 inches without an arch.
- They are reported to be anywhere between 7 and 9 feet in height, averaging around 500 lbs.
- People have reported sightings of the Bigfoot for more than 400 years.
- Bigfoot is known to be large, covered in hair and man-like in appearance.
- The sasquatch is considered to be one of the worlds’ most famous cryptid.
- In 1975, the Army Corps of Engineers published an environmental atlas that recognized the Sasquatch as an indigenous species to the Pacific Northwest.
Elements that made this a great adventure:
- Do not tell anyone where you are going because you signed a non-disclosure agreement.
- Drive four hours in one direction to the middle of nowhere with an old putt-putt car.
- Avoid pot-holes the size of a horse. Avoid the vehicles who forgot to avoid the pot-holes. In particular, especially try not to hit the inebriated half-naked inhabitants stumbling out in front of your car.
- Do not, under any circumstances, give away your spare tire to any of the inebriated half-naked inhabitants from the vehicles with flat tires who promise to return it to you shortly, that is, after they finish their beer run.
- Try to avoid thinking about the fact that you are driving in the middle of nowhere, with no one knowing where you are going, about to meet up with people who are complete strangers that hunt a mystical creature.
- Bringing along a trusted co-pilot is essential – particularly when you don’t have a clue what you’re about to get yourself into. But especially when you leave the base camp at 3 am with a four hour drive home ahead of you.
- Professional sasquatch hunters have the bestest-ever high-tech equipment to behold! From roof-mounted cameras to night-vision goggles – not to mention the thermal scanners!!
- It is best to warm up your vocal chords prior to a hunt. Particularly when you use your voice to ‘call’ the sasquatch to you. It is more like a howl/screech at the top of your lungs. A little uncomfortable to do it in front of strangers, but it was pitch black and they couldn’t see me…so that made it all right…until I discovered they were having some fun with me!
© Monthly Adventure, Patricia Taylor, May 2010