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Nowhere, but I wasn't saying that they should substantiate their claims. All I was saying is that if protecting their privacy was of concern that they should not share any information. Privacy, if what's truly desired, isn't protected by "Hey, look at what's happening to me" in the day and age of computers. I believe they want to make claims to draw attention to themselves, which is the exact opposite of protecting their privacy.

I feel frustrated about the direction that the research aspect of the subject seems to have taken. People making outlandish claims, some researchers (term used loosely) presenting findings that cannot be substantiated, and the shows used to entertain do nothing for the seriously interested enthusiast. They all seem to discredit and make light of both the creature and the study of them. There's no shortage of serious research efforts, though. All you have to do is find that niche' among the muck and mire. Personally, I tend to shy away from outlandish claims like mind speak, telepathy, teleportation, association with orbs, and habituation claims with spiritual implications for the humans. It seems that if any of this stuff were true, these "knowers" would present proof of such claims, but, rather conveniently, they claim to choose not to do so because of their desire to protect the creature, or because they feel "special" to have been selected by the creature because of some purity or goodness that they themselves posses. To listen to some of these descriptions of the creature, you'd think they are bullet-proof and clad in a cape. Fortunately, there are more grounded claims and efforts to disseminate more logical and realistic information without all of the anthropomorphic and paranormal associations. These outlandish claims make the topic a target of ridicule and make anyone with a serious interest in the creature look like a lunatic to the majority of the populace. Personally, I think the warm, fuzzy, flute playing, supernatural, wise and benevolent forest hippy persona of the creature has done more to deflect from serious research by the scientific community than anything else.

For myself, I have seen these subjects up close and know they exist. I have no desire to be the one presenting the Holy Grail of proof to the world, but I do enjoy sharing with others that are interested. As with many other sources that have been fully documented, they looked extremely human like to me rather than some dumb monkey or ape. Their eyes and face projected expression that showed emotion. I would no more shoot one of these subjects than I would another person, but having said this, I would not hesitate to use deadly force if threatened out there. Having said this, I also know some of these subjects run in family groups and clans. A hunter or researcher should consider that if they do take one of these subjects down in a remote section of the woods, there could be others lurking unseen nearby. They can move and jump extremely well and can throw objects hard, fast and accurately. You might not seen that 100 mph fastball before it cracks upside your head. One group of about a dozen men confronted and shot several back in the 1800's in the deep south. Only one of them made it out alive. A return party found their rifles twisted around the trees and the men ripped to shreds. I won't try and change anyone's thinking, but one should consider attacking one of these powerful creatures poses a very real and serious risk. It will not be an easy turkey shoot for sure...