Part Two – Sasquatch Expert – Long Term Study

Two Books – The Evidence – Keep Your Eyes Peeled

by Back Roads Bill

Sasquatch or Bigfoot, many people still believe these humanoid creatures exist around the world, just like the Yeti of the Himalayas.

Last week we interviewed Mike Patterson of Sasquatch Ontario (Google: YouTube Sasquatch Ontario) and another organization Ontario Sasquatch, www.ontariosasquatch.com .

Some scientists consider Sasquatch to be the result of folklore, misidentification and a whole lot of hoaxes but not John Bingernagel from British Columbia. ‘Community Voices’ contacted him.

The Expert

John Bingernagel has written two books on Sasquatch with a serious interest in the North American sasquatch.  Visit his website, www.bigfootbiologist.org . See the Evidence tab.

He holds a B.S.A. degree from the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) and an MS and PhD from the University of Wisconsin (Madison). For 30 years of his 45-year-long career he was an international professional wildlife biologist with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and with the United Nations, living and working in Uganda, Tanzania, Iran, and Trinidad and Tobago. His work consisted of wildlife surveys, the preparation of wildlife conservation and wildlife management plans, and the training of wildlife technicians.

His interest in the Sasquatch began in 1963 and eventually led to two books on the subject: ‘North America’s Great Ape: The Sasquatch’(A wildlife biologist looks at the continent’s most misunderstood large mammal) (1998), and ‘The Discovery of the Sasquatch’ (Reconciling Culture, History, and Science in the Discovery Process) (2010). His wildlife research is now almost entirely focused on Sasquatch anatomy, behavior, and ecology, and on the discovery process as it applies to this subject.

First question to John, why is this is a “taboo” subject? He said it was a “long” story. “If the Sasquatch exists then a 7 foot tall, 800 pound upright primate has somehow missed becoming catalogued and included in the North American mammal lists and in North American mammal field guides. This sounds preposterous.

“If the Sasquatch exists then there is an uncatalogued primate species, likely a great ape in North America. This would extend global ape distribution beyond current accepted knowledge of great apes as only in Asia (orangutan) and Africa (chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos.) This also appears preposterous. Unlikely discovery claims (such as the Sasquatch as existing) are treated as far-fetched claims and treated with scientific resistance. “

He said because the Sasquatch remains essentially unstudied by credentialed relevant scientists, the vacuum has been filled by amateur investigators, “many of whom are dedicated and disciplined. But many extraordinary claims have been made for the Sasquatch as a paranormal being. In addition, Sasquatch research as depicted in some television shows is a near-mockery of actual research. Scientists are, not surprising, repelled by such depictions and mistakenly ignore or even dismiss the entire subject.”

And finally, “The remarkable consistency of eyewitness reports and drawings across time and especially across geographical distance is compelling. It really does appear that the same species of upright, human-shaped mammal has been observed by eyewitnesses of varying backgrounds and circumstances across North America.”

The Sasquatch Interview

Christine Byrnes is a member of Ontario Sasquatch and has met John Bingernagel.   She said, “When I met him it was because I was looking for books written by investigators using and presenting scientific evidence for the truth of Sasquatch. My husband being a forensic police officer was a major reason.

“Many testimonials and books have been written about visual contact. I began my search through researching for such an advocate for Bigfoot evidence and determined that John was indeed the ‘real’ thing as he, in his books, reports on documented and forensically proven evidence.

“John for this reason does not “join” any group as his evidence is available to all who seek to find the truth and remains open minded as like-minded cryptozoologists are. He is an animated man when he discusses his findings and was very keen to listen to my investigation and personal history. I told him that I brought bright coloured balls and left them around my tent (what doesn’t like to play with bright attractive balls) and hung sparkling spinners above my tent to shine in the wind at night. He did not suggest that this was something ridiculous and actually thought the ball ideas were innovative. So what I am saying, he is a great inspiration for all investigators and any event that he would give a speech and share his findings with would be proof to many doubters. He has casts of many footprints he has personally found and also a copy of the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot finding. It is amazing to really see this finding. I had planned to purchase castings from him as I have been led to believe he will sell ones?” (‘The Patterson–Gimlin film’ is a famous short motion picture of an unidentified subject the film makers purported to be a “Bigfoot,” filmed on October 20, 1967; Google : www.animalplanet.com, search the film title.)

“Eyes Peeled” – Lookout

One of the best vistas and snowshoe treks in the North Bay area is the Stormy Lake lookout situated within Restoule Provincial Park. It is a worthwhile jaunt to the lookout at any time of the year but the spring/summer, fall and the winter make for a wonderful contrast of seasonal change. It is one of those places you want to return to experience the transitions.

The Park is usually closed early in the fall and winter and there is an easier access to experience this panorama and a Sasquatch vantage point.

From the Village of Restoule, just before the bridge crossing the Restoule River, turn right and travel 9.3 km. towards Restoule Provincial Park. You will come to the end of Highway #534. Straight ahead leads you into and towards the gatehouse of Restoule Provincial Park. During the winter you will have to park at this junction, veer right or it is a short walk of approximately 500 m to access the trail.)

There is no the trail head, again look for the pedestrian crossing sign and the blue markers. As soon as you leave the road, veer to the left or NW. You can also take the trail to the right which is a longer loop. The trail to the left or NW follows along a former road. Within a few paces, watch closely, on the right or to the north the trail will turn towards the lookout. It takes approximately 35-40 minutes, one way, to walk or snowshoe to the top of the cliffs and the lookout. You cannot see the cliffs from the trail, you would have to snowshoe off of the trail at the foot bridge closer to the lookout. (At the peak of winter when the ice is safe venture from the foot bridge and follow the small stream to the lake’s edge; this is approximately 100 m. Take a wide berth away from the stream and out on to the ice and then move towards the steep rock face.)

There is a sign just before ascending. It shows you a less steep, 1 km loop leading to the top, clockwise past a beaver pond and back to where you are standing. This is a good option. It is a very short but steep ascent to the top of the cliffs and the lookout. The fire tower will appear behind you when you are at the top. The magnificent view is from the north west to north. To the north you will see Clear Lake, in behind Stormy Lake, and beyond Clear Lake there is Bass Lake.

When asked by friends and colleagues. Back Roads Bill’s views are similar to the esteemed primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall: “Well, I’m a romantic, so I always wanted them to exist.” When on the trail keep your eyes peeled for tracks and every once in a while took a look over your shoulder, I do.