Bigfoot and Bigfoot Researchers: Where do the tracks lead us?

The creature we commonly refer to as “Bigfoot” or “Sasquatch” has eluded us for many generations. Other than one brief piece of film footage, we really don’t have much of anything to offer up in the form of proof. Even that single piece of film has been debated endlessly since it’s release to the world, and still to this day remains as much of a mystery as the creature it supposedly captured. The evidence we have collected since then has been theoretical and inconclusive. Muddied by hoaxers and wackos seeking a glimmer of fame.

We have no particular system, or set guidelines to follow during the collection, cataloguing, and presenting of evidence that we do randomly come across. We mostly fly by the seat of our pants from one individual to the next. Some of us like to put on our “serious hat” and play field scientist, but that becomes difficult when you’re standing out in the middle of the dark surrounding woods being screamed at by what you are sure is just shy of King Kong hiding behind a bush just beyond your range of sight. I doubt any of the members of CSI:Miami would be as effective in those conditions, regardless of writer strike.

You and your team of what you consider top notch researchers happen to come across a track.

“Holy crap look at this! See it’s toes right there? Someone get the plaster ready. Oh, well go get it out of the truck. Anybody got any water? Take some photos of it. How long is it, does anybody have a tape measure? No, I forgot mine too. Well lay a stick next to it. Yeah that’s good, now take a picture of that. Now put your shoe next to it. Careful! There we go. Oh, the plaster is ready, ok let’s just gently pour it in there. Hey it’s a little thick, add some more water to it. Anybody see any other tracks? Here’s a partial, and then another something that could be a track. I don’t see any toes though. Go ahead and take a couple pictures of it. Ok, a couple of us are going to stay with the cast until it dries, the rest of us should go check out that area down by the creek we saw on the way in here. We’ll meet back at base camp.”

Did you keep track of the number of mistakes that were made in the above exercise? Now granted, I realize not everyone would handle the situation in this manner, and I also feel that a lot of researchers have become more aware of the mistakes that are commonly made. People are trying to change to a scientific system of doing things. However, I would still say this above example illustrates the common researcher quite effectively. I can also say that if you were in this situation, you would probably think you handled it quite well at the time. The problems I see are not just in the scientific methods, but in the common sense areas as well. The things that should be applied while in the field before you ever start worrying about your scientific practices. Let’s break down the above example, and look at the major mistakes that took place.

1. As soon as the track was spotted, everyone should have been told to freeze, and examine their surroundings in detail. At that time documentation should have started in the form of video or audio recording. This allows you to not only show your procedures, but to review them later on for mistakes that could have been avoided.

2. Do not point the details out to the other researchers. Even if they are obvious, it holds more weight if they find those details on their own examination.

3. You should already have the materials you need on hand. At least enough to do one casting of a track. This includes the material you will be using to cast the track, water, a container to mix it in, as well as things such as a tape measure, and anything else you might use in a “track” situation. Having someone “run back to the truck” is asking for a mistake to be made. When people are rushed, they make mistakes. Not only that, but no one should be leaving the area. The area has officially become an investigation scene.

4. Sticks, shoes, pocket knives, etc. do not make good measurement devices. I understand you have to adapt to whatever you have available. A tape measure should always be in your bag, but in the event that it’s not, find something that you can take exact measurements with, such as a boot lace, or some other straight, markable item. When measuring the track, taking photos, or doing anything, always keep a “clear zone” around the track so it does not become damaged in any way.

5. Plaster is ready, time to pour! Not so fast. Did you check for dermals? Did you take ALL the photos you could ever want? Did you take those photos from every angle imaginable? If using a digital, did you go back and review those photos to make sure you have what you want. Any and all details you wish to record of that track need to be done before you ever get the plaster near it. Once that plaster hits the ground, the track is being destroyed forever. You also want to make sure your plaster is the right consistency for the given situation. If there is a lot of detail, such as dermal patterns, you want to start out with a thinner layer of plaster, and then add a thicker layer to that to strengthen the cast. Once again, this should all be decided before the first drop is poured.

6. Cast is poured. Other immediate tracks have been examined. Data has been recorded. Photos and measurements have been taken. Now what? Well, assuming it was a Bigfoot, what was it doing? Walking, running, skipping, jumping? Which direction was it headed? Bipedal or on all fours? What did the rest of it’s body touch? Is there other evidence in the environment besides the tracks? How old were the tracks? All of this can be determined from just looking at the tracks. A person with proper tracking knowledge and practice can tell even more information. I would determine as much information as I could, and then follow the tracks. Even if they disappear, you know the general direction that last one was pointed towards. I’d say that’s a better place to look for Bigfoot evidence than any other place in an area.

Keep in mind this was just an example scenario. I’m not saying it’s the 100% best way to handle that particular situation, nor am I claiming to be an expert on the matter. My point is to show you how common sense plays a vital role in what we do as researchers, and how the lack or ignorance of that common sense can lead us to making very simple mistakes. Common sense and good woods knowledge is as important to me as following scientific methods when collecting evidence and data. Even more so at times. As an example, you and your team came across that same set of tracks. Only one of you had some intermediate tracking knowledge, and realized the tracks were extremely fresh. Perhaps it’s better to send them and a couple others along to try and follow the trail, or even capture the Bigfoot on video, while the rest of you stay behind and work on the track casting. I would assume the chance sighting or video recording of one of these creatures would heavily outweigh the importance of casting yet another track. If you haven’t taken the time to educate yourself on these practices, you are putting yourself in the position of not even having the option. Shutting the door on your own research advancement.