Thoughts From The Anthropological Arm-Chair
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Josh Brown, Anthropology Major (Physical) from Sacramento CA, and CEO of "Skye Highland Outfitters".Recently, I can't recall what night it was, I was up watching the National Geographic Channel. A new show that I hadn't seen before came on (I can't even remember the name) that was hosted by a young scientist who was questing for the Orang Pandek. Based in Sumatra, he introduced some interesting eye witness accounts, some really nice CGI recounts of the stories, and some really tough trekking through the jungle. One interesting thing he did was he took a hair salon dye selection book with him (I'm sure everyone has seen one of these. Its a book that has a small lock of hair dyed in every imaginable shade of yellow, red, brown, gray and black), and had the eye witnesses choose the hair color. Interesting that a shade of blond was repeatedly chosen by the eyewitnesses.
One of the most poignant moments was a meeting with an English researcher who had witnessed the creature and gave some pretty convincing eye witness accounting of the creature. When confronted with "Why don't we have the creature on camera" question, he came back with some incredible reasoning. The animals have evolved into masters of hiding in the forest. He produced a stack of printed photos of upwards of 10 animals that were captured by his camera traps that he has NEVER seen in all his years of trekking. Even some of the guides had not seen these animals, and a couple of the photos were pictures of animals that had been declared, or thought to be extinct. Again, none of these animals are seen on even a remote basis by natives. Some of the animals were quite big as well.
There is something to this in a reverse kind of way that I find interesting. Obviously we have species of animal that has evolved and speciated within a certain environment that has allowed them to hide in plain sight. Nothing new here-- evolution does this all the time. But how or better yet why does the North American Sasquatch elude camera traps, but allow itself to be seen by humans? Let’s break down this question to 2 parts- 1.) How does Sasquatch avoid traps and 2.) Why does it allow itself to be seen by humans?
I'm going to give my opinion first, but I want everyone to participate and give their opinions for this open discussion. The last Op-Dis we did had over 100 replies posted-- Let's top that and really delve into this topic.
OK- My personal belief is that Sasquatch is a hybrid creature that has evolved successful survival traits, as well as morphology that make it the ultimate, passive creature in the woods. I believe that its coat, its body, its hair coloring all have been bottle necked down the 'ole evolutionary pipeline to a perfect collection that today's creature uses to absolutely remain out of sight. I believe that Sasquatch also has developed extraordinary sight that is not usual to other primates. A lot of reports of glowing eyes (Which means a keenly developed "Tapetum Lucidum") which means that night vision enhancement is a trait that has been developed more so then its cousins. Night IR camera traps are thus rendered useless, and if a traps shutter mechanism is triggered by a break in the IR, it can most probably be seen. Right?
But what about during the day? Granted there have been several day time captures of "something", but usually it’s a partial shot or distant, etc. Why are we not successful with daytime shots (I'd like to point out that the English researcher who had camera trap pics of rare animals had MANY day time shots)-- What are your thoughts on this?
And lastly-- If Sasquatch is so elusive, why do we have encounters? This creature obviously has supreme control over its camouflage and how it hides and moves in its environment. Is it exhibiting the typical primate characteristic of curiosity? Is it actually allowing itself to be seen? If it is, why is it fleeting and not more direct? Scientist that habituate with primates eventually gain some portion of trust as to interact, so why can't the "hunters"' who go into known areas repeatedly ever gain close contact?
While these points may seem simple, I believe that digging deeper and seeing multiple opinions help create a paradigm that, if not all together right, at least puts us in the right direction for more focused research.
Discussion starts now……
It would seem to me, just off the top of my head, we are prolly seeing most due to curiosity on their part. some accidental. Perhaps if we go a little further that I actually believe, they may be putting themselves at risk of exposure during training of the young. You know evasion tactics. in order to be real training the situation must be as real as possible. Then through in a few sighting of the very old and the very dumb after awhile it adds up. The infrared camera traps you may have nailed, been thinking that for some time.
ReplyDeleteAlso I've been thinking for some time that it seems the number or rate of sighting is on the rise, if true perhaps global warming causing a loss of fit habitat is forceing Sasquatch to migrate(if that is the correct term in this instance). Typically larger creatures live in cooler climates if (to one degree or another) if warming is affecting Sasq and forceing a move to cooler perhaps higher elevations this unaccustomed movement puts them in unfamiliar territory at inappropriate times equals more exposure hence more sightings
ReplyDeleteGood points above. Something that puzzles me is how they can be seen in headlights and step in front of cars but seem oblivious to the danger of getting hit by the car itself? Do they perceive the headlights differently than we do? Is that a cause/effect they are not familiar with?
DeleteWe just don't have enough data do we? But,I also think it is possible their numbers haveincreased dramatically from a huge dip,perhaps with the arrival of whites (disease, loss of species- buffalo, etc, and wars), and is now rebounding since our designating National Forests and Wilderness areas, as well as regulating trapping, hunting, timber...and also we have migrated almost exclusivelyto cities.
DeleteBut, consider also our improved nighttime technology and portable power. No more torches, but all night thermal and NV stuff....and cell phones with video. So, we are documenting more as well...and there are about 400 million of us some to witness, just 100 years ago how many of us here (not sure 100million?)
had to look up..according to US census in 1920, we just topped 100million then...wow... so...here is link on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Census
Deleteperhaps we take our type of vision for granted and assume other see the same way either in recptors or processing. if they are primarily nocturnal perhaps they could have developed a secondary membrane to limit day time light. At night, not using the membrane their eyes could be overwhelmed by a sudden bright light. or not, just saying.
ReplyDeleteWell even the most stealth snipers get seen from time to time. Maybe we just catch a Squatch with his pants down from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI agree Broski. This obviously happened with Patty. Accidental encounters have consistantly stated that the creature initially had a look of surprise on their face. I agree about curiosity on their part also leading to encounters. Then there is the territorial trait where they will aggressively ( foot stomping, screaming, tree shaking, rock throwing, paralleling ) make you feel not welcome and escort you out of the woods. Finally I think some of them just like to mess with us on occasion for fun.
DeleteChuck
This was an extremely informative post and as I write this the comments section has not been filled with the ignorant, pointless ramblings of Leon. Perhaps we should discuss what makes him so unstable. My bet is that he can't stand the fact his political views are considered ridiculous by the bulk of this country and outlandish by most as well.
ReplyDeleteIts clear the president will be reelected and the country will continue to move forward leaving behind his minority viewpoint which is as inapplicable in theory as ridiculous it is on its face. He is one of only a handful of people subscribing to political ideals that were best left in 1956. Our country will continue to move forward and will never return to the dak days of Presidents named Reagan and Bush.
Leon should take a deep breath and try Yoga because he needs to stop getting angrier and angrier because political views will never be held by the majority in this country.
Stop writing stuff like this in comments. We aren't discussing politics. Keep on topic of the Big Guy. PLEASE.
Deleteagree
DeleteI never bring up a political statement first, dumbass. It is always proceeded by some dumbass, trying to tell us how to act, think or treat the enviroment.
Deleteyou are not in charge and you will NOT TREAD ON ME, ASSHOLE
IT'S UTP AGAIN!
And, you just invited the rambling you did'nt want?????????????
DeleteGo away UTP!
Yoga is a form of meditation. Meditation is a form of the occult.
DeleteParticipation in the occult can invite bad spirits and corrupt your thinking.
See, it has already taken hold in you, UTP!!!!
AND FROM NOW ON, YOU PAY FOR obahma's VACATION'S, CAUSE THE REST OF US HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS USELESS TURD!
DeleteShaun, I invite you to remove every statment i made hear, but include the UTP anon who started this strip. I would love to stay on point, all the time.
DeleteBut I will not let Libtards go unchecked.
Including ROI taking shots at (FOX NEWS)conservatives, libraterrians, and salt of the earth dems, who can keep an open mind.
Liberalism is the new name of communism, it was put into acction years ago by the head of the American Communist Party WHEN THEY REALIZED THEY COULDNT GET ELECTED CALLING THEMSELVES COMMUNIST.
Who does our president catter too,
Liberals = communist.
It is the communist who admit this if you'll do your homework libtard.
So suck it you commy LIBTARD.
Leon, you are entitled to your opinions and I don't blame you for the reaction, but can I suggest that liberal = socialist, as an extreme and has nothing to do with communism. And as for telling you what you can and can't do... the hyper-conservatives are having a field day right now, IMO.
DeleteNow back to BF!
With LIBTARD love,
David from the PAC/NW
There is over-governing from both sides.
DeleteAgreed.
DeleteDavid from the PAC/NW
Leon, leave politics out of this. Bigfoot research is beyond politics. Stop it.
DeleteJosh, First of all, your article was well written and there were some good tips/points in there for the guys logging the encounters. I'll ask you one question. How many animals speak (with words just like us)? Answer me that question and then I'll address your question about these clever "animals" eluding humans. There's plenty of recordings out there including Sierra Sounds, joeblack (Scott), myself, Peck (woolybooger), Adam (websquatch) and others I am sure that I am forgetting who have recorded audible speech. I always compare you creature researchers to fisherman seeking bass who use catfish stink bait and fish on the bottom. You've got it all wrong and you wonder why you're not encountering that fish. So, answer my question and tell me what animals dynamically produce verbal language without being trained to repeat words like parrots.
ReplyDeleteVerbal language is annunciated words and not calls...words just like us
DeleteI have not had a face to face encounter myself but I believe some of the personal reports I've heard. and the wealth of objective evidence cannot be ignored. But I have a really hard time believing they have the use of language, I'll not call anyone a lier its just that for this claim I need to see for myself. i think if they were able to use speach we would have long ago developed relationships with them. Also if they could talk we could track they by their cell phone use afterall, even the poorest persons in the backwoods of the poorest countries have cell phones now. Why would a Sasquatch be any different? If they use speach and appearently like watching T.V.( as has been reported) then I'm sure they could get cell phones, I just havent figured how or with what they pay the bill. With the size of their fingers I dont see them using text so that will keep the charges down.
ReplyDeleteThat´s comedy, good stuff.
DeleteNice to see your posts always, thoughtful critical thinking.
ReplyDeletePerhaps most importantly, we tend to think of Sas as a "creature," a term you also use. Try soomething more akin to hunter-gather, and import to their minds a culture and ability to transmit knowledge generationally, language, critical thinking.
My field experiments indicated they could detect light in the 900nm plus range, although not entirely conclusive. But I am a personal witness to an astounding close night time encounter with a very large Sas, in almost complete darkness(new moon, forest canopy, pop-out tent-trailer, me inside), at the window, about 5 away, and I could see a faint glow, very soft but perceptible, that fell on the objects the BF was viewing inside with me. The eyeshine itself was intensely bright, almost like those small keychain led lights. Now, assuming in fact a Sas, and that is my best conclusion, w/o more data...what was going on? Seems beyond a reflective source although I suppose is possible if the eye somehow refocused on reflectuon? I do know of at least one of the person who claims a similar close up witness. I have video, although black and whit b/c IR, and have witnessed, the increasing and decreasing intensity of the eyeshine (on many occassions)...you will hear some talk about "power up" and that is what they mean...it appears to literally increase and then decrease in intensity, sometimes going "out" and then coming bsack "on"..again these witnesses in very dark conditions.
on the language issue in above posts. for my thinking, it is their ability to vocalize, through whatever sounds, sufficiently to communicate complex and abstract ideas. Perhaps that is part of the reason they do remain hidden in plain sight.
DeleteVocalize and communicate with words in a unique language are two distinct actions. Creatures/animals don't articulate thoughts and commands as we humans do. The sasquatch do. Anyway, it's no secret that humans traded with sasquatch for hundreds of years. Animals don't trade with humans. 'nuff said. If you guys can't figure out the equiation, then you're not really trying to. You're just on seem neat amusement ride where you feel want to think it's a death defying ride. However, that's your reality and your reality alone..not reality itself.
DeleteWow ! Thats really well written and well thought out.
DeleteI 'am not convinced they exist, not a true believer, I do believe the mass of evidence supports the belief that they are more likely than not to exist. To suggestn to me that I accept your contention that they have human like use of language is far more than I personally am willing to accept at this point. However if and when their existance is confirmed the issue of language will also be put to rest one way or the other. I'm completely ready to accept speach on their part if its confirmed along with existance.
DeleteI disagree about the vocal language. In my field research, they don't speak vocally, only through written language. They use symbols and "words" to communicate, not a sound language. I believe this is because they have such powerful vocal chords, that if they had a vocal language they would be found very easily as people could hear them from up to 500 meters.
DeleteI have found numerous pieces of rock and wood with symbols and a language on it near Bigfoot habitats and nests. I've even started deciphering the symbols somewhat. It's quite interesting, more like an Asian language than English.
But no, they do not vocalize, they only communicate through notes and symbols.
I believe that we have encounters with sasquatch because the creature doesn't expect to see us there. Generally speaking, the sasquatch will watch the woods and everything/everyone that enters their domain. When we place trail cams etc. in their living quarters, they see the person placing the electronic equipment in their "home" and immediately associate this with man. Man=bad. So they stay away.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that most sightings happen when someone is driving down a dark back road at night, or taking a hike through a forest, etc. Hunters will claim to encounter these creatures when they are hiding waiting for their quarry. Personally, I do think that a sasquatch will "check out" people due to curiositys sake, but IMO, it is normallly an accident when we see the creature.
I can agree totally with this statement. But I want to add, MHO,if you are too close to their "family," or "home" that is when you get the act of aggression. (rock throwing and such.) And it works, doesn't it? Everyone seems to flee when they get scared. I saw one once while hiking in the woods with friends. Classic tree peeking & curious. When it realised we saw it, it fled. It obviously didn't expect us to see it. We only spotted it because there was no wind, and a movement caught my eye. I stopped, puzzeled, yet watched for more movement, and there it was. I pointed it out, we all saw it and it took off. It was huge, and really hard to imagine such a huge thing was so camoflauged - but it was. It was really by chance I caught that slow movement from the corner of my eye too. We almost walked right past him.
DeleteAll the stories of Bigfoot aggression are hoaxes or outright lies. The species is very gentle and peaceful, and not a hostile species by any means. I immediately discount any report or sighting that claims the Bigfoot is aggressive or violent. It simply isn't their nature.
DeleteBack to the subject at hand, I think it makes sense that sighting are brought about by a combination of factors. several have already been put forward . the increase in human population may be the greatest factor. human encrochment into their territory is as sure as it is for any other creature. add in loss of habitate to climate change. Climate change would also affect the food supply, once again this would erxpose them to greater human interaction. By the way I was just kidding bout the cell phone stuff. Not trying to be an ass just playing a bit.
ReplyDeleteIn my mind, it's like this: how many times does a bear, or a deer, end up in the middle of New York City? Very rarely, right? Well, for Bigfoot, the dense forest is their NYC, and we are the wild animal. It's very rare for humans to travel into the densest forest habitat that Bigfoot calls home. I think most Bigfoot encounters occur when we encroach into their territory and they allow us to witness them.
ReplyDeleteI've only had 4 Bigfoot encounters in my life, and the most recent was at the Paynes Prarie State Park just south of Gainesville, Florida. Typically when I go researching, I stay at the main campsite at night and venture into the bush in the daytime. Well, this time I decided to camp in the bush. My encounter happened at 3:00 AM in the middle of the pitch black darkness. I was awakened by the sound of very loud footsteps just outside my tent. I heard the Bigfoot approach my tent, get just close enough to smell my scent, and then retreat back into the bush. I stayed in my tent the entire time because I did not want to show disrespect to the creature's home. I know it was a Bigfoot because it sounded too large to be any type of animal in the area, even a Florida black bear. Also I found a broken tree branch the next morning that was at an 8' height, too high to be broken by any other species.
So that's why I think trailcams are a waste of time. Bigfoot is too smart to be caught on trailcam, they know where they are and they know to avoid them.
> My personal belief is that Sasquatch is a hybrid creature
ReplyDeleteA hybrid of what?
Let's be careful of telling "Just So" stories.