Blips and gossips from 2011 Texas Bigfoot Conference

The 2011 Texas Bigfoot Conference is in full swing and we have some tidbits from attendees at the event.

Some of the experts speaking at the conference are:

• Dr Ian Redmond - Tropical field biologist and conservationist. 
• Dr. Jeff Meldrum - Associate Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology, Idaho State University, and affiliate curator for the Idaho Museum of Natural History.
• Chester Moore, Jr. - Author, Executive Editor of Texas Fish & Game, Outdoors Editor for the Port Arthur News and Orange Leader newspapers.
• Alton Higgins - Biology Professor, wildlife biologist, and Chairman of the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy.
• Lyle Blackburn - Writer, Author of the soon-to-be-released book, The Beast of Boggy Creek: True Story of the Fouke Monster; Blackburn is a frequent contributor and advisor to Rue Morgue magazine.
• Brian Brown  - Owner of the digital marketing agency Ideapark, TBRC Marketing Director, TBRC Board of Directors, TBRC Field Investigator.
• And many more.

Some interesting tweets from earlier today:

• Inside jokes at a Bigfoot conference: "Hang on to your thermal imagers" is the "hold on to your hat" for these folks. #texasbigfoot
• "Texas stereotypes out in FULL SWING here in Tyler: grown man in overalls and another dude in a cowboy hat."
• "Stuff for sale at Texas Bigfoot Conference: quart-size bag of hydrocal - used to make plaster casts of Sasquatch tracks. RIIIIIIGHT. OBVS."
• Dr. Redmond says "Dung tells hidden story about gorillas and the environment." Talk about a poop scoop, you guys!

Here are some blips from the conference:

From Motionworks Comics:

• First speaker: Brian Brown talks about Operation Endurance, the TBRC’s seminal two-month field study held summer 2011. 
• Operation Endurance recorded multi-tonal sounds including gurgling, very similar to a gorilla. #texasbigfoot ^val
• Team holds themselves to very high standard. Ruled out sounds were a not bear; consulted w/ No. America's bear expert. #texasbigfoot ^val
• Noises heard: rock-throwing, banging on cabins, bizarre vocalizations/growls // Operation Endurance #texasbigfoot #paranormal ^val
• Inside jokes at a Bigfoot conference: "Hang on to your thermal imagers" is the "hold on to your hat" for these folks. #texasbigfoot
• Listen to the Bigfoot singer/songwriter, Lenny Green: http://www.landofthebigfoot.com #texasbigfoot ^val
• 2nd speaker: Willie Mendez – Educ. Specialist at the University of TX at San Antonio’s Institute of Texan Cultures, a Smithsonian 
• Willie Mendez organized 'Bigfoot in Texas?' exhibit at UTSA's Institute of Texas Culture. #texasbigfoot
• In 1837, first reported Bigfoot sighting in Texas. #texasbigfoot ^val
• I CANNOT wait to check out the Bigfoot merchandise at the Texas Bigfoot Conference. #texasbigfoot ^val
• 3rd speaker: Dr Ian Redmond – tropical field biologist & conservationist - assoc w/ 50+ doc films - BBC, Natl Geo Society, Discovery Channel
• Dr. Ian Redmond talks about lessons we can learn from gorillas, and the unique perspectives it brings to sasquatch research. #texasbigfoot
• Similarities to chimpanzees: Sasquatches hitting tree trunks. #texasbigfoot
• That thing when: you hear the word 'bonobos' and think about the men's clothing site instead of chimpanzees. #texasbigfoot
• Intermembral index. Human = 72 Sasquatch = 116 This is getting serious, y'all. #texasbigfoot
• The intermembral index is a ratio used to compare limb proportions. Usually expressed as a percentage. #texasbigfoot
• Dr. Redmond references the movie, 'Gorillas in the Mist,' starring Sigourney Weaver. What is your fave movie about gorillas? #texasbigfoot
• A silverback gorilla is the dominant male. #texasbigfoot
• Dr. Redmond says "Dung tells hidden story about gorillas and the environment." Talk about a poop scoop, you guys! #texasbigfoot
• By the time gorillas are 3-4 years old, they are expected to be able to feed themselves. #texasbigfoot
• Sigourney Weaver was really involved in gorilla research and conservation. #trxasbigfoot
• Dr. Redmond was a United Nations (UN) Ambassador for an initiative called Year of the Gorilla in 2009. #texasbigfoot
• 4th speaker: Robert Swain, cartoonist, Laughingsquatch. Pokes fun at Bigfoot and Bigfoot researchers. #texasbigfoot
• Speaker No. 5: Chester Moore, Jr. – Author, Executive Editor of Texas Fish & Game. Talking about Mystery of Big Cats. 
• There are over 26 MILLION acres of forestland in Texas. #texasbigfoot
• Mr. Moore says, "There is NO SUCH thing as the species, black panthers." #texasbigfoot
• "Black panthers are actually melanistic leopards," so says Mr. Moore. Melanism is the opposite of albinism (think albino). #texasbigfoot
• Speaker No, 6: Lyle Blackburn Lyle Blackburn – Writer, Author of book, Beast of Boggy Creek: True Story - Fouke Monster. #texasbigfoot
• The Fouke monster is a southern Sasquatch. #texasbigfoot
• Fouke is pronounced /FOWW-KE/ #texasbigfoot
• May and June 1971, the Fouke monster is spotted and tracks are found. #texasbigfoot
• The Fouke monster has three toes. #texasbigfoot #paranormal
• In 1967, Carl Finch from band, Brave Combo, spotted a tall, furry creature as they were driving through Texarkana. #texasbigfoot
• The Legend of Boggy Creek (film) was a marketing hit. Think merchandising and tourism for Texarkana. #trxasbigfoot

From Valerie:

• OMG. There is a Bigfoot singer/songwriter - Lenny Green. I've heard it all.
• inside jokes at a Bigfoot conference: "Hang on to your thermal imagers" is the "hold on to your hat" for these folks. #texasbigfoot
• That thing when: u hear word 'bonobos' and think about men's clothing site instead of chimpanzees. #texasbigfoot via @motionworksent
• Some of the peeps at the Texas Bigfoot Conference are dressed like they are READY to go sasquatch huntin'. Cue camo. Cue bless their hearts.
• Also, there is a VIP section at the Texas Bigfoot Conference. That's right, VIP. Who knew?!? LMFAO.
• "She could be a FARMER in those clothes."
• @SensiblyReckles Ha! For work ( @motionworksent). We have a digital motion comic, 'The Perhapanauts' and it stars a Bigfoot character. 1/2
• @SensiblyReckles So covering the conference for a blog post about history of Bigfoot. Content. Content. Content. 2/2
• Does this TAYLOR SWIFT TEAM have open tryouts? Or is in need of an offensive coordinator? Scout team QB? Waterboy? #confused
• Texas stereotypes out in FULL SWING here in Tyler: grown man in overalls and another dude in a cowboy hat.
• Tyler (TX) is the Rose Capital of the WORLD. 
• Bumper sticker: Don't mess with Texas WOMEN // LMFAO
• Stuff for sale at Texas Bigfoot Conference: quart-size bag of hydrocal - used to make plaster casts of Sasquatch tracks. RIIIIIIGHT. OBVS.
• Listening to lecture: Mystery of Big Cats. Lemme just say, if I took a drink for every time I heard the word, cougar. . .
• There are over 26 MILLION acres of forestland in Texas. 
• Spotted: a Sasquatch bro. Cowboy hat, chain wallet and fitted plaid shirt.
• Sasquatch bro is a former musician. OBVS. CALLED IT.
• I wish someone would lecture on the movie, Harry and the Hendersons. #texasbigfootconference
• Gosh. As much I want to stay for the Texas Bigfoot BANQUET this evening, I'M OUTTIE, you guys.
• Two members of Operation Endurance had a Sasquatch sighting this past summer. In daylight. #texasbigfoot #paranormal ^val
• Large tracks found in a dry creek bed. #texasbigfoot ^val
• Like coyotes, Sasquatches are aware of cameras. Hard to capture. #texasbigfoot #paranormal ^val
• The Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy (TBRC) has evidence of Sasquatch sightings currently being scrutinized by experts. #texasbigfoot ^val
• Spotted: someone reading Justice League #1 during the break at Texas Bigfoot Conference #comics #texasbigfoot
• The Texas Bigfoot Conference is a family affair. Kids and teens in the crowd. #texasbigfoot ^val
• Ever wondered if there was a Bigfoot singer/songwriter? Me neither. Just so you know, there is one. And he's performing now. #texasbigfoot
• nside jokes at a Bigfoot conference: "Hang on to your thermal imagers" is the "hold on to your hat" for these folks. #texasbigfoot