* "Michael Newton" |
Tampa (FL) Tribune: 14 Dec. 2005; Don't Buy Into Skunk Ape Tale, FRANK SARGEANT
It's fun to think that there might be undiscovered creatures in the woods and waters of Florida, or anywhere else, for that matter. The unknown is a delicious possibility. And of course, nothing can be proven not to exist. But when it comes to skunk apes, sasquatches, big foots, abominable snowmen - it's just not happening, no matter how many bogus "investigators" go trampling through the woods in search of fodder for yet another book to be sold to the ever gullible. And no, I'm not forgetting the coelacanth, an allegedly extinct fish that now has been discovered to be fairly common in the depths off some parts of Africa and India. Nor the existence of the Yahi tribe of Native Americans in northern California, completely hidden from the civilized world for some 40 years after they were thought to have vanished. The last of them, Ishi, survived until 1916. But particularly in the U.S., the odds of a breeding population of gorilla-sized mammals living in complete secrecy is virtually zero. In Florida, don't even bother to think about it. There is nowhere in the state that has not been thoroughly trod by man, and there simply is no credible evidence of the skunkeroo - zero, zilch, not a hair, not a footprint.
And most certainly, not a corpse. Of course, it is true that large creatures can live in the dense woods of the state and rarely be seen by humans. It's safe to say that 99 percent of all Floridians have never seen either a black bear (of which there are now known to be some 3000) or a Florida panther, population around 100. But those who truly understand the woods and know where to look have discovered the footprints of these animals, their hair, scat, denning areas, their kills-and certainly not least, the animals themselves, both live in their habitat and dead on the highways that are ever a greater problem for all wildlife in the state. If there were large creatures as yet unknown to science, it is highly likely some hunter somewhere would have reported one. They do see bears with surprising frequency, and panthers on rare occasions. And sasquatches, unlike bears and panthers, are not on the protected list. Someone very likely would have shot one-unwisely, to be sure, since it might very well be like the last passenger pigeon or the last dodo bird.
And if not the hunters themselves, their trail cameras would by now have given evidence; hundreds of hunters now mount automatic cameras in the woods to discover the passage of trophy deer, and these motion-sensitive devices certainly would have caught Ol Skunky in a grip-and-grin moment by now. In short, it is probably as likely that you will see Santa Claus coming down your chimney in the next few weeks as you will see the skunk ape stalking across a marshy pond somewhere off a sandy backroad where the condos have not yet been built quite yet. But it's definitely fun to think you might.
* "Michael Newton"
From The Scotsman: 20 Dec. 2005
Stalin's half-man, half-ape super-warriors
CHRIS STEPHEN AND ALLAN HALL
The Soviet dictator Josef Stalin ordered the creation of Planet of the Apes-style warriors by crossing humans with apes, according to recently
uncovered secret documents. Moscow archives show that in the mid-1920s Russia's top animal breeding scientist, Ilya Ivanov, was ordered to turn his skills from horse and animal work to the quest for a super-warrior.
According to Moscow newspapers, Stalin told the scientist: "I want a new invincible human being, insensitive to pain, resistant and indifferent about the quality of food they eat." In 1926 the Politburo in Moscow passed the request to the Academy of Science with the order to build a "living war machine". The order came at a time when the Soviet Union was embarked on a crusade to turn the world upside down, with social engineering seen as a partner to industrialization: new cities, architecture, and a new egalitarian society were being created. The Soviet authorities were struggling to rebuild the Red Army after bruising wars. And there was intense pressure to find a new labor force, particularly one that would not complain, with Russia about to embark on its first Five-Year Plan for fast-track industrialization. Mr Ivanov was highly regarded. He had established his reputation under the Tsar when in 1901 he established the world's first centre for the artificial insemination of racehorses. Mr Ivanov's ideas were music to the ears of Soviet planners and in 1926 he was dispatched to West Africa with $200,000 to conduct his first experiment in impregnating chimpanzees. Meanwhile, a centre for the experiments was set up in Georgia - Stalin's birthplace - for the apes to be raised. Mr Ivanov's experiments, unsurprisingly from what we now know, were a total failure. He returned to the Soviet Union, only to see experiments in Georgia to use monkey sperm in human volunteers similarly fail.
A final attempt to persuade a Cuban heiress to lend some of her monkeys for further experiments reached American ears, with the New York Times reporting on the story, and she dropped the idea amid the uproar. Mr Ivanov was now in disgrace. His were not the only experiments going wrong: the plan to collectivize farms ended in the 1932 famine in which at least four million died.
For his expensive failure, he was sentenced to five years' jail, which was later commuted to five years' exile in the Central Asian republic of Kazakhstan in 1931. A year later he died, reportedly after falling sick while standing on a freezing railway platform.
Is Bigfoot living in the Sulphur park area?
Is Bigfoot living in the Sulphur park area? By Derek FrazierThe Ada Evening News Dec 29, 05
ADA — Could Bigfoot reside in Oklahoma? And, is it possible that he's just a community away? According to Dr. Charles Hallmark, there is good indication that he is. Dr. Hallmark was the guest speaker at the weekly Rotary Club meeting held Wednesday, and in his presentation, he offered up startling evidence an ape-like creature roams freely through the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur. He began to research Bigfoot in 1998 and the hobby has continued seven years later. Hallmark, along with others in the area, are currently setting traps to entice the creature.
"One of the things that we're trying to do now is to bait garbage cans, because they eat garbage," he said. "If y'all live in town and you hear a garbage can rattling at 3 in the morning, you can be sure that 95 percent of the time it's going to be Bigfoot." According to Hallmark, the simian-like being enjoys junk food, in addition to the usual amount of garbage. "They love Snickers candy bars, cheeseburgers and burritos," Hallmark said. "They're just like us.They're omnivorous, they eat a lot of vegetation, just about anything. "Hallmark produced several items of evidence that the beast is alive and well in the area. He brought paper cups which allegedly have Bigfoot's fingerprints on them, a cow bone that shows teeth marks that are assumed to belong to the creature and even a few photos. He estimates that the Bigfoot he photographed is approximately 8 to 9 feet tall.
Hallmark also noted Bigfoots are very much used to people. "We have proven and documented that they recognize people," he said. "They get used to you and look at your house and stuff like that." While Hallmark did offer items that raise the question of whether such a
creature exists, no solid evidence, such as a body or remains, have been found. "We have a problem with finding anything, like a body or skeleton, because the varmits are gonna take it apart within three or four days," he said. "If you haven't happened onto it, you're not gonna happen onto it because it'll be gone." He also said he wasn't allowed to research further in the park, due to restrictions by park officials. "Where I was feeding them regularly, I don't have any electricity there and the park won't give me any," he said. "If the park would give me electricity, probably in 45 days, we'd have so much footage of Bigfoot walking around and everything that it would be unbelievable."
Hallmark also said not one, but groups of families of the creature are within Oklahoma."I figure there are more than 300 in Oklahoma," he said. "There's probably around 45 or so around the National Park area in Sulphur. We've identified five different family groups down there. We're not sure how many are in each one but at least three in each one." Hallmark is currently slated to start taking more photos of the elusive beasts in March.
From Black Press (Victoria, B.C.): 2 Jan. 2006
Sasquatch search takes a big foot forward
(Black Press) - Gerry Matthews wants the world to know that both "sensible and skeptical" people can be involved in the hunt for the elusive sasquatch. The Chilliwack man says he's been fascinated by the topic since he was a kid but it took a pivotal discussion with Harrison sasquatch writer-researcher John Green a couple of years ago to set him firmly on his new path.
"It was an inspiration meeting John Green," says Matthews, who calls himself a "newcomer" among bigfoot enthusiasts. He's part of a trio heading up the West Coast contingent of serious seekers, like Mission-based investigator Thomas Steenburg and Ken Kristian. Matthews admits to still being somewhat skeptical over what is considered "evidence" by some cryptozoologists and researchers, but he felt a strong need to bring together the key people and report sightings from this part of the continent.
"I think there's some evidence that can't be denied," he says. "It can't be explained but it can't be denied either. Of all the thousands of reports made, even it one is true, that's really something. They can't all be hoaxes."
As the founder of West Coast Sasquatch, he's been busy almost full-time,uploading searcher interviews, frequently asked questions, artwork and moderating the lively discussion forum on his site at www.westcoast sasquatch.com."I built the site to be a gateway of information," he says. "I'm just speaking up for this part of the country. It's so rich in the whole bigfoot heritage." It all started out as a hobby but it's certainly morphed into more in recent months. "I could devote almost 12 hours a day to it if I wanted to," he offers. "My wife doesn't know what to think about it, but she see it as harmless and it keeps me out of trouble." The Internet has scores of sites devoted to the hunt of the famed woodland ape but the retired telecommunications worker says there was nothing significant out there in the way of websites emanating from B.C. That's why he started his own site in March.
"The general public has this impression that we're a bunch of nuts running around in the woods scaring wildlife, and some of them surely are," he says. "But I want to show that there are sensible and skeptical people involved in the search. "These are people who are immensely curious and believe there's enough evidence out there to warrant a serious looking into." Plus the Upper Fraser Valley is considered prime sasquatch territory, with famous sightings at Harrison Lake, Chilliwack Lake, Chehalis, Ruby Creek and more. A perusal of the Agassiz phone book provides a gaggle of businesses that have adopted the theme such as Sasquatch Inn, Sasquatch Springs RV Resort, Sasquatch Tours, Bigfoot Camp-grounds, Big Food Café and Bigfoot Plumbing and Heating. "A great many sightings have come from this area over the decades especially on the other side of the river. That's why we'll be concentrating our search in the Harrison Lake area," he said.The plan is to attack the lake from the water and Matthews hopes to launch a boat next spring."What we're hoping to achieve is getting some video on the subject," he says. "Because randomly running around in the woods looking for a creature is ludicrous. It has to be done in a scientific manner." The goal is to get some video or a sighting that could ultimately establish
if the animals are transients or resident to the area. The last reported sighting of a bigfoot creature in Chilliwack was in 1999 in the Cultus Lake/Vedder Mountain area, he said. And Harrison Lake was reported as a site where three of the hairy beasts were seen last year this time, Matthews adds. "There are lots of questions and very few answers," he says. "I've studied what's out there. There's a lot of bull. That's why I built the website, to put up the material that has convinced me and to add my version, which is accurate if anyone wants to look into it."
* "Michael Newton" eyeofnewt@att.net From Travel Blackboard (Australia): 4 Jan. 2006 Tim the Yowie Man's top Yowie hunting tips for summer. Tim the Yowie Man, expert cryptonaturalist and Australia's leading mystery
investigator first spotted an unidentified big black hairy creature in 1994. Tim is not the only one to see this phenomena. There have been a large number of yowie sightings over the past 150 years. According to Tim the Yowie Man, you need to head to the high country if you wish to spot a yowie. Tim's top five yowie spotting tips
Dawn and dusk are the best times of day to spot a yowie. Yowies are most often seen near waterways. Keep your eye out for footprints, but you will be more likely to see scratch marks on trees (7ft or above). Check out fences for large clumps of yowie fur. If you still can't spot a yowie, Tim recommends practicing the loud mating call of this elusive beast. You need to make a noise that is the cross between a repetitive dingo yelping and an out-of whack chainsaw. Cup your hands around your mouth for maximum projection and choose a prominent landmark like on top of a large rock to maximize your chances of luring in a Yowie. Get hunting on these trails that Tim recommends to both bush walkers and yowie enthusiasts alike:
Mount Kosciusko Sunrise Walk. "This is one walk that every Australian should do at least once in their lifetime. Walk along the rooftop of Australia as the birds wake-up. It's also gives you a chance to search for fresh yowie footprints that may have appeared overnight."
Australian Alps Walking Track. "This is THE track to hike if you want to spot a yowie - it traverses real yowie country - magnificent tall forests and stunted snow gum woodlands."
Bicentennial National Trail. "At 5330 km, incredibly this is the longest marked walking track of its kind in the world, but of course you only need to hike a couple of kilometers to brag about it."
Kosciusko Alpine Guided Walks. "If you are looking for some real adventure, but aren't too experienced when it comes to overnight hiking, this is for you! Follow the safe footsteps you guide through spectacular snowy country, indulge in fully catered overnight campsites." Watch out for yowies enjoying an early morning drink at some of the pristine glacial lakes that feature on these walks." "Oh, and yowies are nocturnal, so keep that torch (and camera!) handy to your sleeping bag.
* Sean Forker
Williamsport, Pennsylvania Jan 07, 2006 Hello Mr. Crowe, My name is Sean and I am a Sasquatch researcher/ investigator from Pennsylvania. I am a member of the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society, and a co-founder/ director of the American Bigfoot Society (2006). These groups just keep popping up! I was referred to you by my good friend Henry May. I am writing you to ask if you might have any information pertaining to an event that occurred in Pennsylvania in the 1970's.
Here is the event as it was relayed to me:At Shamokin Hospital in the 1970's, a supposed Bigfoot was taken there after it was hit by a car or truck. Nurses that worked described that the thing was extremely hairy and huge. Enter the Government. The ER Doctors and nurses were then asked by some branch of government to not disclose this with anyone. The Creature or "Hairy Man" was taken away in a van, and nothing heard of since. Stan Gordon was asked about this by PBS Researchers Pat Knetzer and Eric Altman. How we came to this report was from a lady who claimed to be the daughter of one of those ER nurses. Typically, I don't handle Third Party Accounts with little or no merit, but this one has me hooked. I think mainly because of the close proximity. Any Information would be greatly appreciated, even with the slim chances of no information. I do however personally appreciate the effort.
(I’m not familiar with the report…Ray)
And you may quote my reply, here, in your worthy Track Record, if you wish.
I remember Hillary's Yeti expedition well; in fact was invited to Chicago for consultation and met or already knew most of the people who took part.
I head back to Nepal Monday evening to start work on the building of my safari lodge. I bought ten acres of land in November/December-a delightful area on the wild south eastern edge of the 200,000 acre White Grass Plains Wildlife Reserve-where as you know, I have spent many years. The lodge will be private and will be primarily used as a base by scientists carrying out research in the park. It will take me about ten months to build, after which I will probably install a manager and just go out when needed, such as when new projects start.
The rest of the time? I might actually go back into Bigfoot hunting and for that purpose move back to Oregon, a state I have always enjoyed and which, in my opinion, still holds the best possibilities for a BF find. Yes, for me the lure is still there, strong as ever!
All good wishes to you Ray. I will be in touch, via, in Nepal petercbyrne@yahoo.com which your readers, many of whom communicate with me by email, might like to know. Truly >>> Peter Byrne.
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