Bigfoot Research

Many scientists and other self-proclaimed logical thinkers have often scoffed at the efforts of cryptozoology to uncover the existence of unconfirmed beasts. Bigfoot is perhaps the most well-known cryptid in North America, even though the popularity of the Chupacabra has grown by leaps and bounds in the past two decades.

Utah has been one hotspot of Bigfoot sightings. The tall, hairy creature has been spotted along busy highways in foggy weather and in the most remote of mountain terrain.

Some have explained away the Bigfoot sightings of common folk as manifestations of the Coronas they consumed shortly before or the deep need for attention (such as the infamous frozen Bigfoot hoax in the recent past). More troubling and more difficult to dismiss are the investigations conducted by Bigfoot researchers.

To attack the credibility of people who actively look for evidence of Bigfoot, skeptics have used a different set of tactics. Instead of attacking researcher's state of mind, skeptics have turned to criticizing the methods used to document and analyze any supposed Bigfoot evidence. In all fairness, though, this scrutiny can function to the benefit of Bigfoot research. Oftentimes those researching the paranormal fall into the error of leaving their critical minds' behind. Ghost hunters begin to interpret every bump in the night as ghostly activity, when in fact it may have been the dog's tail hitting the wall. Bigfoot researchers - many of them amateurs or hobbyists - see every large impression on a forest floor as a track of the large beast they are hunting.

James A. Snyder recently wrote an interesting article for the San Diego Reader on his own experience finding a supposed Bigfoot track. Snyder details his friend's skepticism and the process he went through to document the print that would not leave his mind. Snyder gives a more naked account of his Bigfoot fascination than most. The level of honesty and vulnerability he shows in his description of the events is refreshing. Snyder's reaction to the media frenzy that followed after the announcement of his discovery is revealing as well. His reaction cautions the public to beware those who claim to have experienced paranormal phenomena and are overly eager to discuss it with the media (like the frozen Bigfoot hoax). Perhaps such people really do have an attention deficit and are seeking to fulfill it any way possible. To read about his experience, click here.

Is Bigfoot out there? Hopefully people keep open minds, but that does not mean swallowing every tall tale that comes along.