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I have little, if any, interest in adding DNA testing to my tasks in the field but would consider it if that work was done ahead of time. I've advocated for the use of thermal imagers and can provide information about companies that produce them, models they sell, and, maybe most importantly, the features they should consider. I would back all of that up with links so someone unfamiliar with them could click and go. There has been a lot of talk about DNA and I can understand completely why many here think maybe it is a game changer. If that effort is going to move forward, by taking it from the idea stage to an actual laundry list, someone needs to take that bull by horns. It's not going to be me.

Not a cop out at all. I spend my time in the field and am not interested in the least trying to track down DNA sources. It seems like you are and that's great. Let's see what you can do. When you've secured the name and address of a lab that will do this air-borne DNA analysis, a link to how we procure the testing kits from that lab, along with the exact price, kindly post it here. Then, with the leg work done, I promise to give it very serious consideration. Until, such time as someone actually does this leg work, rather than merely talk fancifully about it, it is nothing more than a noble thought that never gets off the launch pad.

My great great grandfather was the first mayor of Index, Wa. That’s where they take him at the end of the movie. The town is named after Mt. Index.

@hiflier These are some good questions posed by BRB. 1) How many samples have you collected? 2) How many have successfully been sent to a test center and resulted in DNA results? 3) How many if any came back with Human or listed as contaminated? 4) How much on average did each test cost you and what was the time it took to get results? Could you please answer these directly? It will probably help people get an idea of what they may be in for. And I am speaking any form of DNA, be it physical sample or E-DNA, soil, water, or air? Thanks in advance.

So Flirs were being used 30 years ago in BF research? So Drones were being used 30 years ago in BF research? So you, Hiflier, have sole discretion on how long a method can be used before it is obsolete and we move on?? So how many DNA samples come back negative before you move on from that??? When does that become obsolete in your eyes?

@wiiawiwb I apologize if I came across as excessively harsh in my last reply. I guess my coffee hadn’t kicked in yet LOL But it is somewhat frustrating that we have been able to make significant progress on the subject of discovery for more than half a century. I do think new methods are needed.

Honestly can't believe you said that.

Hi, very glad to be here, I look forward to reading the information here and hopefully making my own contributions as well. I had an encounter in the Black Elk wilderness in South Dakota in May of 2019.

Very Cool!

I am amazed people even consider this. No wonder this subject is not taken serious by most. Most believers that I know and or related to even think this film is a over weight dude in a suit.

Awesome answer. Love the honesty. 😃

I answered. Interpret it as you deem fit.

@hiflier Your silence is deafening.

I’ll second Harry and the Hendersons!!

I think you need to read up a few posts. They NEVER said domestic animals miles away. They said it probably came from the meat that the zoo was feeding the carnivores! Oops! So we are talking meters…. Not MILES. Besides, these are scientists experimenting with this technology….. that’s called an EXPERIMENT. When and if this equipment is affordable and available to the layman like you and I, is anyone’s guess! On the other hand? FLIR is solid technology and available and has been for years. So are you going to rush out and buy a hunting rifle and mount a FLIR scope on it? I mean your all about technology and expediency in proving this creature exists right? My bet is a solid NO. So that’s hypocritical. You can’t even read the data right. And your pushing a technology that is unproven in the wild. And the when you get called on it? You get puffed up! Oh well.

Is there ANYONE in this thread who is passionately advocating for e-DNA testing currently involved with the collection and submission of samples that they have collected on the field… more specifically the air and water samples that have been discussed here? If so, can you share some of your findings as well as some photos of your collection methods. Real world stuff, not hypotheticals or something that you read about online. Can you explain the costs that you have personally incurred and compare those costs to the results that you have been able to produce? Perhaps this would make a good case for getting others involved. If not, can you explain why you are raking other members over the coals for not engaging in costly research that you are currently not doing yourself?

Had an old military trainer who was Navajo dub me and another guy from Appalachia in our group "skinwalkers". Never knew why, he didn't explaine it, just hated doing night drills with us. Found out why about 4 years ago, apparantly the real Skinwalkers (bad medicine men of the Navajo tribe) will use animal calls to communicate to one another. like coyote howls, owl hoots, and other nocturnal creatures. We would designate calls to specific movements or to give all clears and alerts. It stuck with me from from those days, its been my online tag since 2004.

My thoughts are that there may not be a "cover up", but the government may be ignoring their existence because of economic and ecologic reasons. 1. If Sasquatch were confirmed to exist, by the government, there would have to be some kind of IUCN or endangered listing. No question. A large mammal with a likely ~1 year gestation period plus a long childhood (slow sexual maturation) would mean their low numbers would stay low and take a long time to even reach anywhere near the carrying capacity of the habitat. Environmental law would be all over it. 2. Their habitat would be forested areas that the USFS constantly manages, works in, and assesses. The industries of forestry and logging would take a huge hit. We would have to source our wood, lumber, paper, etc. from outside sources. Granted, this could be a good thing, too. Habitat that is Sasquatch territory would likely be further managed and protected, meaning fewer forests being leveled and harvested. 2a. Management costs money. LOTS of money. To avoid the cost, the government could be ignoring the fact that these creatures exist. It would be easier (big air quotes) to ignore their existence and just keep doing what they do. I have heard stories of some national parks folks saying the same thing on podcasts and articles. I don't know if I would consider Sasquatch + government a cover-up or conspiracy, but knowing some of the details behind management of resources, I feel these are the above are likely reasons that we are not getting a "yes, they exist" from the government. But, for what it's worth, Sasquatch popped up in a few "wilderness guides" the military used to use back in the day

Harry and The Hendersons

I am out of upvotes, but this is a great post.

Wiiawiwb is anything but lazy or unimaginative. I know that you and Hiflier are proponents of DNA collection, but I have not seen a single post from either of you detailing your own efforts at DNA collection or submission to testing laboratories. I am not trying to dig at anyone, but these are some pretty inflammatory statements being thrown around. I again direct everyone to the e-DNA thread. Several members volunteered to collect samples from areas with possible activity. The thread and the effort itself went absolutely nowhere. Where was that passion for the subject then? A perfect opportunity for someone who believed that this is the best chance at official discovery. Do either of you really believe that you are behaving in such a way as to be good ambassadors of the DNA collection approach? Serious question. Every thread seems to veer into how this forum has let you all down with their failures with DNA collection, which has now basically turned into people who spend a lot of time, money, energy, and effort in the field being called lazy. When you had an opportunity to steer a legitimate DNA collection effort with the willing members of this forum, why did you let that effort just fade away? That’s not a dig, because I myself don’t have the time or inclination to do it. But, that matched up perfectly with your skill set and area of enthusiasm. Did I miss something behind the scenes? If so, I will gladly be corrected. If you and Wooly really feel this strongly about this… then here is your opportunity to lead by example. Detail your current efforts with DNA collection and submission. Show us some promising developments that you are involved with... Show us best practices at use in proper collection, share information on where to send samples… be a teacher, not a haranguer. Use photos of you in action to help others understand the benefits of what you so dearly want accomplished. That might move the needle for you with an audience that is already committed to researching this topic. The incendiary speech just makes everyone want to tune out. I don’t think that is the result that you are looking for…

But do we not inevitably come back to the same issue we always do? Contaminated sample? With Any form of e-dna this seems to me, to be the hiccup. With no reference sample of BF DNA we are always going to come back as contaminated. With e-dna, be it soil, water, or now atmosphere, I feel there is less chain of custody so to say. It’s always going to be waived off as contaminated. Idk, just my opinion.

I think that some of you are taking w’s statement on the reality of the situation as a personal indictment of the process. Nowhere did I see where he said that he thought that the idea was useless. He merely stated what the general response would be. We floated the idea of a DNA collection project in this very forum, with the possibility of forum funding. IIRC, I was the first or second to volunteer to participate. It never got off the ground. There are relatively few people involved in this that are willing to spend that kind of money on such a thing, regardless of how dedicated they might publicly portray themselves or what they might say. I am not saying that it wouldn’t be a worthwhile project, but I am also saying that wiiawiwb isn’t incorrect in his assessment of widespread participation.

Doug, Thanks for sharing that you live in that part of Oregon, know the Oregon Coastal Range well, and have hunted elk there. If you get to meet Rocky, please share an update on his evolution since his encounter over 20 years ago. I am curious about your experience with mind speak. Can you please describe what it is like and how do you know that it is not your own inner voice? How do you know that the mind speak came from a sasquatch? What was communicated to you? Pardon me if you have already gone over your experiences in some other post. Thanks, Explorer

It's certainly worth a watch. I watched this not long ago myself. It is certainly better than most of the recent releases.

I'm a 70s child and I've never seen Boggy Creek. I need help.

Back in the 70's I was at Bluff Creek several times. Walked the sandbar where the film was taken many times. All I ever found were bears and lots of bear tracks. That is how I came up with Bearfoot!

As more people take a scientific approach: have the education, experience and background to support said approach; AND have the courage to step forward and say something like, "Hey, there is enough evidence to take this seriously." I am thinking along the lines of Jeff Meldrum. You must have to admit that your "blurred line" is getting clearer when it comes to this topic!

Because I'm such a little angel.

You are really asking two questions: 1) Does the government know.? I say yes. 2) Is the government tryibg to cover it up? No.

Found some nice prints, one fresh, the other in limestone and no telling how old. They were within 20 feet of each other, only separated by eons.

No forum closing is necessary. The mystery continues. I enjoy reading and hearing about the encounters and sightings all of these awesome members you mentioned. I certainly don't consider them liars. Just simply seeing what is not there . In the wonderful world of imagination all seems real.

WOW! Hundreds of people at hundreds of dollars apiece? That's sure sounds like a horrible idea to me. Gosh, just think about it- no reverie? What a bummer. Imagine, all those hundreds of people just shut out from the discovery process. Serves them right for not being able to afford DNA testing, huh. BTW, how much DOES it cost? Sounds like you must know, so did you contact several labs and average out their costs? Because if you have a list then maybe someone who might want to do this can choose at least the least expansive place.

That’s a complete and total cop out. With an attitude like that it’s no wonder the discovery hasn’t been made after half a century of research. But I suppose ignorance is bliss since it doesn’t require critical thinking in the slightest.

Says who? Excellent idea! Go find your labs and when you do give the info to wiiawiwb.