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This is the official Bigfoot Field Guide Blog, where we will be posting information for those who don't use Facebook.  The Bigfoot Field...

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Randy "Rebelistic" Savig on Nite Callers Bigfoot Radio Dec. 17th



Join Nite Callers Bigfoot Radio Sunday night, Dec. 17th at 8:30 pm Central as we interview Missouri's Randy Savig

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nitecallers/2017/12/18/nite-callers-bigfoot-radio-presents-randy-savig-of-missouri

Randy Savig was born and raised in northern Minnesota where he found his love for the great outdoors. He always had a fascination for the unexplained from a very young age. In the late 90s he was forced to retire and moved to southwestern Missouri where he spent a lot of his time on the internet reading all he could about mysteries especially bigfoot. In 2011 he joined the MABRC and took what he read to the woods and started serious research. Through the help of the MABRC members he found his niche in audio collection and analyzation. Over the years he has recorded, reviewed, and analyzed thousands of hours of audio. In the MABRC he has received the Researcher of the Year Award, was made the Missouri State Director, and a member of the Evidence Review Board. He also was accredited with the ground work on the Silent Hills Project, and a contributing writer for the Bigfoot Field Researchers Guide.

Friday, December 1, 2017

What is a top-tier researcher?

Written by D.W. "Darkwing" Lee



The ongoing debate continues on what constitutes a Top-Tier researcher, with many trying to make their claim to fame based on trying to proclaim that they are the epitome of being Top-Tier.

With the advent and introduction of Facebook into the Bigfoot Community, anyone can proclaim themselves as a leading Bigfoot researcher/expert/authority and there are many gullible people out there that tends to follow those proclamations with die-hard exuberance.

Let's look at truly what makes a Top-Tier Researcher, in the eyes of many of the old timers in the Bigfoot Community.

  1. A Top-Tier Researcher must know their Bigfoot History.  The well-known historical events, the major players in the game, and the research that has been done in the past.
  2. A Top-Tier Researcher must know who the hoaxers and the hoaxes are.  Not just the current ones, but the ones in the past too.  I continuously see people regurgitating the same old hoaxes over and over again.
  3. A Top-Tier Researcher also knows how to conduct no-nonsense research, using scientific and verifiable methods, that allows evidence to be brought in.
  4. A Top-Tier Researcher does not spend all their time, every day, promoting themselves on radio shows or on Television.
  5. A Top-Tier Researcher always puts their time in the field to productive use, the don't do like many of the woo crowd does, by taking drugs or alcohol and claiming that they can see invisible Bigfoot when no one else can.
  6. And the most important, a Top-Tier Researcher is always skeptical of all evidence, including their own.
Now I know this will undoubtedly chaff many butts in the Bigfoot Community, especially those who are trying to make themselves into the leading Bigfoot researcher/expert/authority out there on Facebook, and there will be some finger pointing at me, screaming that I am proclaiming myself a Top-Tier Researcher.  I don't consider myself a Top-Tier Researcher, and truthfully, I don't think anyone can make that claim, since most of us don't have the time to put the effort into all this.  But this is what I strive to obtain in my research, to be able to do all 6 points listed here.




Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Recognition Versus Reverence?


By Randy "Rebelistic" Savig, MABRC Missouri State Director



It sure does seem to me a lot these days with the advent of Facebook, YouTube and a few other social sites that certain Bigfoot researchers have somehow risen to a godlike status. And from what I can see most of it is not even slightly justified. Now don’t get me wrong we all like recognition for the accomplishments and contributions we’ve hopefully given to the Bigfoot community, but why does it seem to go from there to immediate celebrity status. It seems like every day we see this new guy that has the best video footage or the best audio or the best picture or whatever he’s claimed, seems to have a bandwagon of followers oohing and awing about everything he has posted. Now I know that there are a lot of gullible people out there and the Bigfoot community is just loaded with the what I call “wanna believers” that they seem that the fall for anything. And as long as they do real researchers won’t get any recognition for what they’re doing. Everybody wants instant gratification and excitement when they see something Bigfoot related. Research is just not that way. In fact we can be damn boring at times.



Then comes the day one of these celebrities or godlike individuals gets questioned and everything goes downhill from there. The name-calling, the belittling, the jumping from group to group site to site showing how good your evidence is versus everyone else. I am not going to name names here that’s not the intent of this article. But it sure seems nowadays that everybody wants to be famous, have their name known in history, or just out to seek attention. As most of us have learned by now that’s where the hoaxing, the deliberately misleading, and the wild ideas given to what Bigfoot is or can do begins.

I learned a few years back after getting a little be recognition for some of the audio I collected, that it might not be a good thing. Suddenly I had friend request upon friend request on Facebook. Some of them good down-to-earth researchers some of them were just looking for someone to hang their stuff with your name by saying that Randy said it was good stuff. Whether I said it or not just really didn’t seem to matter. It never ceases to amaze me how some people on Facebook, YouTube and other social sites will be on someone’s friends list and then somehow has the same knowledges and experiences that you have if not better. That “one-up-em” has become an epidemic in social media. There’s a big difference between knowledge gained by somebody else’s experience and getting the experience firsthand. Everybody knows there are no experts in this field, no matter what some say. It doesn’t matter if your TV celebrity, a big name on some Facebook page the reality is unless you’ve had time spent with them in the woods you don’t know what they’re about. I was never been added to so many Facebook pages and in so many group messages until I went through it. At that time, I was naïve enough that I thought all Bigfoot radio shows were the same. Yes, I’ve done a few that I felt was rewarding, but then there been those that I was embarrassed when it was all done. And then the honesty hit me, these folks want to me on their shows mainly as a way to use my name to promote their shows. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good ones out there, but they seem like everything else to becoming further and farther in between.

Nobody’s been tougher on me than me when it comes to trying to verify the vocalizations that I record with known animals. After you get some recognition people seem to crawl out of the woodwork wanting you to verify their audio and other evidence. You start thinking that people really want to share experiences and ideas about Bigfoot. That’s when you start to see the bad side of Bigfoot researching. Now you start getting the guy that sends every owl vocalization he gets and tries to convince you that it’s a Bigfoot. Now is the time people like to send you known animals sounds telling you that this is a Bigfoot. And heaven help you if you disagree with them, that’s when the ugly side comes out. Then you go from being a great researcher to someone that never gets out behind the computer, never goes out in the woods, doesn’t know what you’re talking about, and the list goes on and on. When I joined the MABRC my whole purpose was to get together with a group of people that had the same interests and I do. It has since evolved a little bit to where I would like to help the prove the existence of Bigfoot. I never joined to gain fame or fortune. But that seems to be rare nowadays too as it appears that that’s what a lot of people want. I’ve always had a fascination for the unexplained, nature, and all things in the wild. I still do. I once heard the line that said Bigfoot research has a lot more to do with people than it does with Bigfoot. I guess I didn’t know how true that was, but I sure do now.

For whatever reason Bigfoot research seems to have become more about egos, and who’s right and who is wrong than about the animal we seek. I keep hearing people talking about why witnesses with Bigfoot encounters don’t come out and talk about them. Honestly, I don’t have a hard time understanding that. It used to be that the media and TV would make fun of those who had encounters. And that kept them from talking which is understandable, but now when people go to the Internet to try to share their encounters they see all the BS out there and definitely don’t want to be look like they’re nuts like a lot of the so-called researchers are. Because the Internet is full of supposed experts that are arguing calling names and acting like idiots and they’re the ones that are taking reports? The encounter goes undocumented. So how do we avoid all of this? In my opinion you must stay humble. Any success that I’ve had with audio collection is because I aligned myself with a great group of researchers that help me learn ideas and stay grounded in Bigfoot research. Without their help and support the stuff I’ve collected would never been collected. They’ve been honest when I have asked for their opinion. Some of it I didn’t like others of it I did. One thing that they taught me early on is do your homework. Go through as many vocalizations of known animals as the unknown ones. See what they do that works for them and tried in your own area. I’ve learned so much over the years about what I suspect is Bigfoot behavior, but that ain’t nothing like what I’ve learned from people’s behavior.

It’s easy to see now why some of the people with years of research have basically quit sharing what they are finding. It’s not that they quit bigfoot research, it’s that they’re avoiding the games that are now being played. For any of the newcomers to the Bigfoot world, please take one bit of advice. Stay humble. If your possible evidence is good and you decide to share it you may be in for a ride you might not be ready for. We’ve all listen to these radio shows, gone to conferences, and been added to Facebook groups. Know that each one of those have got a motive that might not be as yours is. In my opinion there’s no greater honor than being asked to speak for either a conference or a radio show that is set up and designed for and by down to earth researchers. No glitz, no glamour, no celebrities, a place where  you’ll only  find real researchers. But choose wisely, as you may be opening a door for things that you don’t want to be part of.

Friday, November 17, 2017

The BFG Radio Show - 11-16-2017


Welcome to the Bigfoot Field Guide Radio Show information page, where all the audio, video and photos that are mentioned on the show can be viewed.  The BFG Staff appreciates your listening to the show, and now let's look at the information.

Memorial Day 2017 Expedition Information

Vocalizations Exchange at Settlement Area


The White Bigfoot Sighting Recording
















Oklahoma Bigfoot Symposium 2017 Information

Robert "Laughsquatch" Swain's Sighting










Symposium 2017 Thermal Capture










Monday, November 6, 2017

Bigfoot Field Guide Radio Returns


Bigfoot Field Guide Radio Title: EPISODE 75 - 2017 Sightings and Symposium Time: 11/16/2017 07:00 PM CST Episode Notes: The MABRC discusses some of the sightings that occurred this year on the Memorial Day Weekend Expedition and during the Oklahoma Bigfoot Symposium.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Are Bigfoot Conferences Worth the Effort?


By Randy "Rebelistic" Savig, MABRC Missouri State Director

Another Oklahoma Bigfoot Symposium is in the bag.  Long hours of preparation done.  Anyone behind the scenes has a good understanding of what controlled chaos is all about.  Planning, setting up vendors, speakers, food, all are an undertaking in of themselves.  Just like in expeditions everyone has an idea or two that may or may not help but are sure to put out there.  All are nervous and hope the public and others will have a good time and learn a thing or two.  

I was privileged again this year to be asked to be a speaker.  Let me tell you one thing, it ain’t as easy as one thinks.  All the hours combing through audio, listening to the possible vocals and sounds that could be related to Bigfoot.  Going through notes to put the whole thing in sequence.  Doing a second run through comparing known critters against what you are wanting to present.  One thing that I find is important is to try and put a presentation together that the public will find interesting but also may be a benefit to other researchers out there.  Knowing me, I probably worry too much about it.  But for me I always want to make a presentation that shows, the MABRC and the Bigfoot Community in a positive light.  

One thing about the Oklahoma Bigfoot Symposium.  We don’t try to get the biggest celebrity names, rather we try to bring in local and active field researchers who put boots on the ground.  Fancy and flashy just don’t seem to impress us much, but honest, creditable, verifiable research and collecting the best possible evidence does.  

We were honored to have Lyle Blackburn as a speaker this year.  His research and dedication in compiling and writing his books is top notch.  Anyone who has read his books on Boggy Creek can feel his passion and drive to get things told as they actually happened.  Not only is he a great author and speaker, but is so sincere and down to earth that he was a great ambassador to the Bigfoot Community.  He is always welcome at the Oklahoma Bigfoot Symposium.  Maybe in the future we can get him to join us in the field for an expedition!

Robert Swain has been an integral part of the Oklahoma Bigfoot Symposium from day one and he has spoken every time on his Laughsquatch books but more importantly about the research being done in the APES (Arkansas Primate Evidence Society) in central Arkansas.  I know he is working on another book and really hopes he can get it finished before the next Symposium.  I know it will be a very informative book.  The APES team started the Arkansas Bigfoot Conference a couple years back and it has been an honor for me personally and the MABRC to help them get that a huge success and we will continue to work closely with the group.  Robert was lucky enough to see his first Bigfoot sighting during the weekend.  His sightings report along with recreations, drawing of the sighting, and the print casted to help and verify the sighting is posted on the MABRC.COM website.  Congratulations Robert!

We were lucky enough this year to get a Tennessee State Director, Mark Newbill.  For those of you have not yet heard of Mark, he is the founder of B.E.A.S.T. (Bigfoot Evidence Analysis Sawdustt Team).  He has compiled a top-notch group of people to help with reviewing possible evidence giving him and his team more time in the woods instead of spending time on review.  Congratulation Mark!    

He gave an interesting presentation on the work they are doing in the LBL (Land Between the Lakes) area.  After spending some time getting to know one of his research partners I’ve concluded that everyone needs a Larry!  Hopefully in the next year I’ll be able to go over and hit the woods in Tennessee.  

Sisters of the Moon.  Henri, Kerri, and Debi put on an interesting presentation of an experience they had during an escapade as they called it.  Anyone who thinks an all-female group can’t get the job done has never met these ladies.  They had kind of a rough beginning to the Bigfoot world but we are honored to have them be part of the MABRC.  I’ve had the pleasure to be in the woods with these gals and they really hold their own when it comes to evidence collection as well as trying to debunk anything that is an unknown.  I’m really looking forward to hitting the woods again with them and hopefully with the rest of their team.  These girls we noticeably nervous when they started their presentation but did great.  They had a way of making you feel that you were there when their experience happened.  Hopefully next year they will have another batch of possible evidence to share with us.

Jim “Biggjimm” Whitehead gave a thought provoking presentation comparing old world legends and histories of critters with the behaviors usually associated with Bigfoot activity.  Anyone who says that the Bigfoot phenomena are a recent thing needs to see his presentation.  Biggjimm’s knowledge into natural sciences and biology is a great asset to the group.  Anytime I get the chance to share a campfire with him I always come away with new ideas and perspectives.  Saturday night when movement was thought to be seen in a tree line outside of camp he got out his thermal and locked on to two heat signatures.  Bernie went to see what it was and was confronted by a growl.  It is highly suspected that it was a Bigfoot and according to the different sizes of heat signatures Bernie was about half the size of the critter.  The thermal pictures can also be seen at MABRC.COM.

D.W. Lee, Founder and Executive Director of the MABRC was again this year’s Emcee.  He opened this year with a brief history of the group and set the tone of excitement for the weekend.  What he does in front and behind the scenes is unbelievable.   No one in the MABRC has challenged me to become a better researcher than D.W..  He has set the bar for the MABRC high for integrity, honesty, credibility, in all possible evidence.  I think that is why the success of the group is as it is. 

With the speaker’s informative presentations, and just researchers trading ideas of what they do that works and don’t makes it worth it.  But there is another factor that we sometimes forget as researchers.  The human element.  The public has had encounters, experiences that they have questions and concerns about.   These people come in to see if someone can help them to understand the what and why of these critters.  They look at us as the “experts”.  As researchers we know there ain’t any experts in Bigfoot and even though our knowledge is actually very limited, the folks coming for these events think we know it all.  I had one family come up to me after the open house where there was a good question and answer session.  Sometimes we forget that people can be very reluctant to talk about what they are experiencing.  We are so used to getting the looks and eye rolls from people who don’t think there is such a critter we seem to forget the embarrassment that can go with having an encounter.  

This fella has lived in the general area since he was a kid.  Grew up in a house not a mile from where he lives now.  The first question he asked in a quiet tone of voice like I’ve seen before when people are used to be ridiculed.  “Why do they slap the side of the house?”  I could see by his wife’s expression that this really bothered her and their son had a real fearful look in his eyes.  I kind of smiled and explained that in primate behavior slapping trees etc. usually done during shall we call it the teenage years, as males seem to want to show off for either possible mates or to gain rank in the hierarchy.  The relief in them was so apparent as their whole bodies seemed to relax.  I told them that there was little or no evidence that is was meant as any aggression toward them.  I had them chuckling when I told them that even the human primate did it.  Used an example of when we used to play that same game on a grouchy old fella back home.  We’d knock on his door and run!  It was all good for us teenage boys and we got a kick out of it but I’m sure he didn’t.  They talked about an odd whistle that they would hear at times when they were in the yard.  I mimicked one that I’ve recorded and it gave the gal goose bumps as he excitedly said, “Yep that’s it!”.  I explained that most likely either a location vocal or maybe just a way to say we’re here.  I tried to reassure him that if he had lived there all his life that the area Bigfoot were used to him being around and knew he was no threat to them.  Kind of like the stray cat analogy.  A stray cat shows up on the farm and doesn’t bother anything you both tolerate each other and share the same space.  After a while you actual seem to bond with it and watch out for it.  

That is when the conversation took a weird twist.  He got a real serious look on his face.  He started with “I wonder if….”.  He really was reluctant to finish the sentence.  Long story short, he told me a time a year or so back where he came home one night after work to seeing all the lights on and doors opened in the house where it should have been dark and locked.  When he got closer he saw that he had been broken into.  After the sheriff’s department arrived they entered the house to see piles of stuff by the doors and some windows like it was being readied to be loaded up.  But very little was removed as if the burglars were scared off.  He always wondered what scared them off.  This was perplexing to him as he lives on a dead-end road and there were no cars met as he came home and no others until the deputies arrived.  He has no close neighbors.

He then asked, “Were they looking out for me?”.  Of course, I was floored.  I told him that I could only speculate because I had no way of answering that.  But it could have been just a coincidence that one may have slapped the house that night as they had said happened often in the past and that could have scared them away.  But honestly, my brain was spinning at the possibility that maybe, just maybe they were looking after him.  The intelligence that these critters seem to have its not beyond the possibility.  He has lived there all this life.  They have had what appears to be limited interaction with them.  So, it is an intriguing thing to consider.

So, to answer the question.  Are Bigfoot Conferences Worth the Effort?  Even though it is a strenuous time where the days are long and the nights are short, nothing really goes as we think it should, even with all that I’d have to say yes.  The human factor makes it important that we as researchers can help people understand a little more of what could be going on.  And if we ain’t careful, we may learn some new things too.  It’s these little things that mean so much.  Sure, it’s cool to get a picture with some celebrity, get a t-shirt or hat, maybe a book, but at the end of the day it should do with people who are the greatest asset to the researcher. The little pieces they can give us with their experiences can help fill in some blanks and expand our knowledge.   

Until the Next conference.  The answer is in the woods!

Friday, September 15, 2017

Territory Markers and Scent



The MABRC has been discussing behind closed doors about territory markers and scent markers now for over two years, including putting together a paper outlining what is meant by this and by putting supporting evidence to back it up.

I thought I would post this today with just a little background information to show that the MABRC has been working on this for that long.  The theory was originally brought forward by MABRC Researcher Carissa "Splatter" Schulze nearly two years ago, and was based on her experience with training dogs and the way they handle scent.  Most animals use scent to mark territory, proclaim their breeding status and more.

So the MABRC started discussing how does Bigfoot find markers that are created in the wilderness.  Directional sticks are usually placed up high in trees, at night, how would a Bigfoot see this?  How would a Bigfoot detect markers in heavy woods at night?  Or even at a distance?  Simple, they mark these structures with scent.  Whether it be with urine, musk scent, or other scent that they can produce.

The report will be out before Christmas, with more information related to this theory, but for now, the word is out there that the MABRC has been working on this theory now for several years.

The picture below shows a captive Lemur marking a tree in proximity of where it meets it's human caregiver, in what was regarded as it marking it as a safe place for itself and others, or even as a warning to others to stay away from it's human.  


Monday, July 17, 2017

Bigfooters and Healthy Skepticism.




I have always considered Melissa Hovey an old school researcher, she came along a while after I did, but I like to think we both got our feet wet and learned our lessons through the years in our class of the Bigfoot Community. Today she released an article on her blog about Bigfooters and Healthy Skepticism and I totally agree with what she has to say. To read it, go to the Search for Bigfoot blog here.

Monday, July 10, 2017

Biped vs. 4X4 Mode

There has been much debate between the PNW Bigfoot Researchers and the Southern Bigfoot Researchers about the possibility of Bigfoot being able to go into 4X4 mode, a term made commonplace by Darkwing after learning about it from Timberghost.  In the Southern United States, researchers have spotted Bigfoot moving in 4X4 mode as the creatures hunt and also to avoid detection.
Here is a statement explaining about 4X4 mode from Darkwing.



They will hunt in 4X4 mode to give them extra speed in short distances, they also will cross open areas in 4X4 mode to avoid detection. I've seen a whole troop cross a field in 4X4 mode, initially giving me the impression that it was cows or other animals in the darkness, until they reached the tree line, then stood up and walked into the woods.

With an animal the height of a bigfoot, 4X4 mode and belly crawling are part of their stealth. In Oklahoma and Arkansas, it's accepted by the researchers there, that Bigfoot does go in 4X4 mode quite often. Next time you see what you think is possibly a bear moving across the field, better look a little closer, it may be a Bigfoot crossing in 4X4 mode. And for those who will claim that the reports don't show this trait of Bigfoot, they need to dig deeper, the International Bigfoot Society had multiple reports from across the country that shows Bigfoot were in 4X4 mode.



Parnassus from the Bigfootforums asked D.W. if the Bigfoot left tracks, to which D.W. replied.



Yes they do Parnassus, but they tend to resemble bear tracks once the mid-tarsal break comes into play. I followed a trackway once for over 200 feet that then turned into what looked like bear tracks. Only the front half of the foot is touching the ground when in 4X4 mode.

The first one I saw in 4X4 mode, actually came up about even with the bottom of the window on my Chevy Blazer with the top of it's back, it was also nearly half the length of it. The smaller ones tend to resemble chimps in 4X4 mode, as one of our researchers had a close encounter with one from about 10 feet away. First time I ever heard that researcher cuss from the shock of getting that close.

I was the first to bring this forward into the mainstream Bigfoot Community well over 10 years ago, and was unmercilessly bashed for daring to claim Bigfoot went into 4X4 mode. My how the times have changed and folks are now onboard with it. I'm really glad to see that some folks have been more open to what Bigfoot does.

This is the juvenile in 4X4 mode that was sketched by Biggjimm, the MABRC Western Oklahoma State Director for Squatchfinder, the MABRC Researcher who had the close (10 feet) encounter. Hopefully it illustrates somewhat about how 4X4 mode looks.



The thumb is splayed out, if you turn it sideways, they put it out to the side to help steady themselves. The knuckles are more than twice the size of a human hand. Here is roughly what it would look like.

 Freeman's famous Low Creek Knuckle Print from July 1982 is a good example of the way it looks when they are in 4X4 mode, with the thumb splayed out away from the hand and knuckles.

For more about the 4X4 mode, visit the MABRC Forums for more information.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Audio Drop Boxes

An article written by D.W. "Darkwing" Lee, Executive Director, MABRC.

(Special thanks to Dave "Therealsuperdave" Jett for creating this unique drop box, without him, I don't think I would have ever come up with this great idea.)

About 9 years ago, I happen to talk to the guys from Texlaresearch about their dropboxes they used to place their audio recorders out in the field.

Courtesy of Texlaresearch

Courtesy of Texlaresearch

Courtesy of Texlaresearch

They have used these dropboxes to obtain some really great audio, and I learned a lot from these guys, one of the main things I learned, is to just walk along through the woods and just drop off the box and continue going on, not dwelling on the fact you are putting this recorder in place.

The MABRC uses this approach on our audio recorders and guys like Randy "Rebelistic" Savig, Mark "Sawdustt" Newbill, Dave "Therealsuperdave" Jett and Mike "CompresserMike" Hartsell have taken these to a new level with the numbers of dropboxes and the design of them.  

One design in particular caught my attention, and with good reason.  On an expedition about a year ago, I took Dave Jett out on a four wheeler to place his new dropbox, and I was very impressed.  It was a PVC pipe sealed on one end, with the other end filled with foam rubber to keep the recorder in and a very ingenious hook system that allowed Dave to place his recorder up high above the eye level of even the tallest Bigfoot.  

Placing bark around the entire rig, once placed high up into the tree, unless you knew it was there, you would never know it was hanging there above you.

So lets fast forward to January 2017, I had deployed some of my dropboxes out during the MABRC expedition.  These were made out of small tupperware bowls with lids, easily seen at long distances. 
Upon reviewing the audio, I was shocked to hear 4 wheelers approach my recorder, stop, and the people dismounted.  They approached the box and you could hear them open the box saying "what the heck is this?".  Then they realized it was recording, they closed the box back.  I came so close to loosing my recorder.

SO D.W., what next?  You may ask?

I took Dave Jett's idea and built two prototypes to use in my areas.  To do this, I needed to buy some items.  While I used a different capping system because my local hardware stores didn't carry what I needed, I have found everything I would require since on Lowes.com, I will be building newer models within the next month.

Here is the list of what you will need:

A substantial length of 2 inch wide PVC pipe  (Most places will sale you smaller sections, but the average is about 10 foot lengths.)
2 inch end caps
Silicone (clear)
eye hooks
washers
nuts
OD Green spray paint
wire clothes hangers
paint extension pole
camouflage masking tape
foam rubber
black tape

Here are photos of what each one looks like for the record (Minus the masking tape, paint and foam rubber)












So how does it all go together?  The following photos shows the initial prototype.



The outside of the drop box, the bark is siliconed on it, but the plastic ties are on there to keep it tight on the box.














The bottom of the box, notice the foam rubber that is siliconed inside it with a small part cut out just big enough to slide a recorder into.


The top of the prototype was a reducing cap and plug, in the future, my dropboxes will use the end cap as shown above in the list of items needed.  The eyebolt is bolted on both sides of the plug to make sure it doesn't wriggle itself loose.  The wire clothes hanger is then bent into shape around the eyebolt to form the hook and the little arm used to put up in the tree.


A small part of the clothes hanger can be used to make a metal loop on the end of your pole and secured with black tape.


This loop fits over the little wire arm on the hook, and allows you to place it on a tree limb around 15 to 20 feet above the area.  

To test out my hope that people would not notice this dropbox once it was in place, I took it up to a fellow MABRC researcher's home, and placed two dropboxes around their house.  The researcher's husband was not told the recorders were there, and they were left in place for a week, with him walking by them on multiple occasions at eye level.  It finally took her taking him out there to them and pointing them out before he seen them.

So now, I have a viable option that when I am going down into the research areas on a four wheeler, I can pause long enough to raise my dropbox up to a tree limb over the trail, hook it, and continue on, no one or no bigfoot the wiser that I just dropped a recorder off.  

In the future, when I begin building the newer dropboxes, I will record the entire process and post it here on the blog.

Once again, I want to say thanks to Texlaresearch and Dave Jett for imparting their knowledge to me.