Funding and Farces

By Jim "Biggjimm" Whitehead, Senior Field Researcher, 

MABRC Western Oklahoma State Director, 

MABRC Mid-South Regional Assistant Director

What is the difference between seeking funds for research and scamming someone out of their hard earned money? Unfortunately, as far as cryptozoological research goes, its a very tight and non distinct line that is as blurry as hell. There are several reasons why this is true, and any researcher worth their salt should be aware of them. 

To start with, one needs to be aware of what real research is. Real research is not simply going out in the woods and sitting around listening for things that go bump in the night. Real research involves an honest attempt to gather data and interpret it, and then add it to the pool of knowledge. This means equipment. Any good researcher will tell you that there area certain tools you will need to gather said data. And these tools are not cheap. Scientists rely on research grants to obtain the equipment that they need. Unfortunately, this path is not available to most cryptozoological researchers. Most researchers are your average working class folk, and simply put cannot afford to buy the equipment that they need to advance their goals. This means that they have to seek the cash to buy equipment on their own.

Most researchers will actively find ways to obtain the needed money. This can include getting loans, saving, buying used equipment, or selling items at conferences and speaking events. There is no issue with that. But a researcher should NEVER ask for donations or set up online accounts designed for collecting money. In the eyes of the Bigfoot community, it immediately raises concerns that the individual is simply trying to get peoples' money and not do any kind of meaningful data collection. Often the researcher's reputation is tarnished if they try to gather donations, and anything they produce is widely thought of as questionable at best, or hoaxed at worst.

The issue again lies in the fact that cryptozoological research is widely regarded as a half witted psuedo-science by the media. In the public's eyes all researchers are scammers, idiots, crazy, or at the very least just plain weird. It appears to most people from the outside looking in that any attempt to ask for donations by a Bigfooter is a scam to get their money. With this kind of scrutiny from both inside and outside the Bigfoot community, a researcher should avoid the temptation to try to take donations at all costs.

Thermal Footage from Oklahoma

Courtesy of the MABRC

During the last part of 2013 in Oklahoma, 2 different researchers, two weeks apart, in the same location, caught something on their thermals that sat for a long period of time watching their camps.

While the researchers are adamant that this could be a "possible" Bigfoot, it is very interesting footage from the same location, 2 weeks apart, by 2 different researchers.

The first three videos were taken by Driveroperator on November 15, 2013, by mounting his thermal on a pole above his vehicle during the night while he slept in his tent.  It shows a heat signature staying basically in the exact location for nearly 30 minutes watching from behind a creekbed behind his tent.










The next video was taken by Darkwing, who had mounted a thermal on a pole sticking up from his vehicle, and in the video, he does pan around the camera to see if he can spot any other heat signatures coming up towards him from other directions.  The heat signature maintains it's position in a creek bed about 50 feet away from the creek bed that Driveroperator's heat signature was seen in.  It continues to maintain it's position even when a large deer walks behind it at a distance of around 40 to 50 feet.  Only when the deer comes back through, does the heat signature lower itself, and proceeds to disappear, perhaps to go hunt the deer.



One of the lessons to note here, is that Bigfoot appear to tend to move the same way at night as they do during the day, using cover to move around to mask their approach.  Once they get a position where they feel they are safe, they will maintain it and watch from it.  After years of watching the woods with thermals, the two researchers involved have noted that all other animals in the woods continue to move around, except when they bed down.  This heat signature maintains it's position behind the creek bed the entire time, moving only enough to show that it is definitely not a rock or other inanimate object that had absorbed heat throughout the day and continued on into the night reflecting heat.

It's up to the reader though to decide for yourself what it is in the videos.

Listening

Courtesy of the MABRC

Listen to your surroundings, learn the difference between quad-pedal and bi-pedal walking and learn all the known animals in your area and their vocalizations.

Different sounds can be heard in the woods, recently two Junior Researchers, Splatter and Squish discovered two trees rubbing together that created a whistling sound. At first they thought something or one was whistling at them from the woods, but as they investigated, they discovered the trees were rubbing each other and making the sound.

Learning the difference between quad-pedal and bi-pedal walking can be done by using a parabolic listening device and having a friend or family member walk through an area multiple times while you listen. Then have them walk a dog through the area, listen to the difference in sounds. Continue doing this until you can differentiate between the two.

The researcher should learn to recognize all the local animal vocalizations that they will encounter in their research area. 

The MABRC maintains a large collection of vocalizations in the audio library on the forum. Becoming familiar with these sounds will aid the researcher in distinguishing known animal vocalizations with those usually associated with Bigfoot.

While Bigfoot does have the capability to mimic other animal vocalizations, to be able to determine actual animal vocalizations to that say, of an 800 pound owl or dove making a vocalization is pretty important to the researcher.

Learning the difference between sticks breaking on the ground compared to sticks breaking off trees are also important. Overall, learn the sounds around you, making sure what you are hearing and what is causing it is paramount to conducting legitimate research that is hard to dispute.

Case in point, an armadillo uses it’s snout to sweep back and forth through the foliage and leaf litter looking for insects, grubs and other morsels of food. The sound this creates can be quite unnerving to many in the dark. 

When this occurs to you, it will sound like a Bigfoot walking upon you, and can quite literally send you into a panic if you do not keep your cool.

Using Trailcams

Courtesy of the MABRC

It’s been the experience of the MABRC researchers that Bigfoot will avoid trailcams. The reasoning is unclear why Bigfoot does this, but after years of trailcams being placed in the woods, not one decent trailcam picture has emerged. 

Even the placement of trailcams at heights well above Bigfoot eye level have failed to produce the results desired.

What MABRC Senior Researchers have begun doing is to place trailcams in locations that will funnel the Bigfoot into areas where they can be observed. 

By placing trailcams on 3 sides of a base camp, the Bigfoot will avoid these areas and come into close proximity of the camp on the side where no trailcams are placed.

Other ways to deploy trailcams is to hide them in containers that hopefully the Bigfoot will open to see what is inside. Putting them in tents and leaving the flaps unzipped in hopes that Bigfoot will look into it and get it’s picture taken. When leaving a camp unattended, take a trailcam and set it in a chair and cover it with a jacket or blanket, leaving the sensor and camera lens uncovered so it will activate. 

Still the debate remains, does Bigfoot intentionally avoid trailcams, this is something that will always remain heated among researchers. For the MABRC, the foremost question is how to outsmart the Bigfoot and find ways that trailcams can be deployed to be the most effective. If continued success is achieved by channeling the Bigfoot into areas like the MABRC have been doing on many of their expeditions, this should be the recommended tactic used by researchers in the field.

Basic Field Pack/Evidence Collection Pack

Courtesy of the MABRC

The basic idea is to have a kit that allows you to collect evidence in the field made up of items that are purchased locally at a minimal cost.Ideal evidence kit is one that takes up a minimal amount of space, yet contains sufficient items to handle the majority of applications. To that end the list being proposed for this purpose is one that can be contained in a fanny pack. 

Note: heavy and bulky items can be stored in a vehicle or at base camp (if a pack in situation) until needed. Such as casting powder etc. . The exception would be if you are working in a team and the items can be split up among team members. 

Compact Camera: This is in addition to any other camera (s) you carry with you. A small digital with zoom capability are common place now. It should be placed in the evidence kit and used only to document any potential evidence you find. This does not mean that you do not take pictures with other cameras of evidence. All cameras have traits and by using more then one details that would normally be missed could be picked up. It allows for one camera to be dedicated to potential evidence. 

Small Flash Light: Besides allowing you to illuminate shadowed areas, a flash light held at different angles allows you to pick out details you might normally miss. This is especially important when examining tracks. Allowing you to concentrate photographing the area or taking extra care if you cast it.

Measure: Tape measures can be very useful, but only if properly used. In purchasing a tape measure it should be wide with large numbers. It is also a good idea to use a dulling agent on the tape measure prior to using. This allows for a better chance of reading any measurements on photos taken. A track caliper is a much better choice then a tape measure for measuring a track. (It can be easily constructed from inexpensive items.)

Sterilizing Agent: A small bottle or vial to be used to clean and disinfect any item that you will use repeatedly, such as tweezers.

Tweezers: Sterilize and dry after purchasing, then enclose in a safe environment such as a vial or zip lock. Use to pick up small objects. Do not handle with out clean non-powdered gloves. After use, sterilize and replace in container.

Q-Tips: Should be stored in zip lock bags or in individual containers. 

Gloves: Nitrile are the recommended, however any non-powdered "rubber" (using rubber as a generic term for lab type gloves not specifically rubber gloves) glove can be used. Do not handle potential evidence that you collect with your bare hands.

Knife: A disposable surgical knife or sterilized utility blade to be used in a utility knife. At times a sharp sterile knife is needed to remove a piece of potential evidence with out damaging it or to collect evidence. The blades can be sterilized and carried in a container separate from the knife. When needed, remove a blade (while wearing gloves) place it in the knife and use it. When done the blade may be resterilized or disposed of.

Containers: Envelopes from small coin size up to large manila should be in the kit, as well as a couple vials and some zip lock bags.

Note Book and Pencil: It should be small enough to fit in the kit. A small 4X6 ring binder with lined pages in front and unlined card stock in the back. When potential evidence if found, note it and the details in the lined section, then in the back draw a diagram of the item on the card stock. Including a rough site map, prominent features of the area and evidence.

Permanent Marker: 

3X5 Cards: These are used for documentation in photos, pertinent information such as time, date, location, name etc are written on the card and included in the photos by placing next to the potential evidence prior to photographing.

Spot Markers: These are extremely valuable when doing field research. A piece of bright cloth with a marble or rock tied in it. (If you take a photo of something, drop one of these directly between your feet to mark the spot you took the picture from. ) It allows for marking exact locations in an easy to find way. They may also be tied to near by brush or trees for photo referencing, trail marking etc.

Magnifying Glass: This one is pretty self explanatory, for examining items. Most sewing stores or departments also carry tweezers with a magnifying glass attached. While the magnifying glass may be a bit small and cause some eye strain if used to examine large surfaces, it is great for assisting in collection of small items and worth the space as a second tweezers and magnifying glass.

Tape Recorder: A mini or micro tape recorder dedicated to specific potential evidence. Other items recommended to have with that may be stored at base camp or in vehicle until needed.

* Lightweight tool box* Ruler or photo scale (these items should be in your carry kit if they fit)* Large surveyors tape for mapping* Pen/pencil* Evidence custody log* Tape recorder for recording impressions during investigation* Casting material* Reinforcing media I.e. plastic mesh bamboo kabob skewers* Two bottles of water* Gallon or larger bags to mix in* Border material* Multi tool* Evidence collection procedures manual* Large plastic sealable container* Duct tape* Ball of String or Twine* Garden hand spade* Paint Brush (at least 2 of differing sizes)* Trowel* Flagging Stakes 

Fixed Blade Knife: A heavy belt knife of good steel. Of all the items you can take with you, this is perhaps the most important. 

Basic First Aid Kit: Odds are you will not have to do any thing major, but you will have to treat, nicks, cuts, scrapes, and a varieties of other minor problems. So, a small basic kit should take care of them. (Note: Rule of thumb, the longer the trip/pack in or the larger the group the larger the first aid kit.)

Walking Stick: It does assist in walking in hilly or rough terrain. Can be used as a track stick (for measuring stride so you can find where the next track should be if you loss it). I have a tripod mount in the top of mine so I can mount a spotting scope or camera and use the walking stick like a mono pod. You can also take black tape and wrap around the stick at 1 foot intervals, this will enable the stick to be used as a method of measurement.

Don't Forgets: Extra batteries for every piece of equipment that takes batteries, Rolls of film of various speeds, extra memory cards for digital cameras, tapes that fit any tape recorders you have with, tapes or CD's for any video cameras you have with. Meds (even day tripping take your meds with, a hundred things can happen that may strand you in the woods for a day or two), Extra pair of glasses and at least 3 extra pair of socks. (trust me on the socks they have dozens of uses not the least of which is keeping your feet dry which can make the difference between a fantastic trip and a miserable one.)

Hydration Source: Water or a means of obtaining it.