Reasons for Being Open to the Possibility

[Ray Ford]

As I have stated in other places, I am not totally convinced that there is such a creature as Big Foot, but I am not totally convinced that there isn't.

I have three reasons for being open to the possibility:

1.  Tracks.  If my memory serves me correctly, the early indication that such a creature existed was tracks in the snow.  I know that tracks can be faked, and I am sure that some of those reported were.  I doubt that all were laid done as a hoax.  Tracks may be mis-identified, but they do indicate something.  

2.  Encounter reports.  There have been numerous reports of Big Foot encounters--encounters with something that could not otherwise be identified--by apparently reliable people with no apparent motive to perpetuate a hoax.  

3.  Native American names.  I am a tiny bit Cherokee, but I do not speak the language or that of any other tribe.  I am not an expert in NA languages. But it has been said--I most recently heard it on the documentary "Big Foot: Where Myth Meets Science" on the Discovery Channel--that there are over 100 NA words/names for such a creature.  This is very strong linquistic evidence.  Linquistic evidence can certainly be examined, but it can not be just dismissed.  If there is that much linquistic evidence in the NA languages, and if those words/names predate European contact, it would strongly suggest that there was, or is, such a creature--if the words/names did not originate in their mythologies.

Meanwhile, I'll keep huntin' the woods.  I enjoy that.  Read my post in reponse to Graybeard's question, "Would you shoot a Big Foot?"

[Micahn]

Maybe you should also think about this.
 It is not only Native Americans that have names and stories about Bigfoot related animals but just about every native people all over the world does as well. Some of the stories go back as far as any other stories they have. They have even found cave paintings in different parts of the words that looked like they was drawing giant harry people.

They also have found both giant foot prints in rock and what they call giant "human" bones some places. I have always wondered if just maybe if them bones are not Bigfoot related.
I like to think that just maybe way back when before the white man can to North America that maybe Bigfoot lived in large tribes (Calling it tribes as not sure what to call it) or at least larger families or something. And if they bury their dead like some people think (that is why no bones now days are ever found they say) then that could be the bones they find and call giant humans. If that is true then that is why they find them giant bones in big mounds and such instead of just one set at a time.

If you really look at things with a open mind you can find all kinds of stuff that could be Bigfoot related all threw the time. I have even seen some people say that the Bible talks about them in it. Places where they talk about giants in the bible them people say could be really talking about Bigfoot. I am not sure about that but who knows could be true.

Anyway I am glad that at least you and others have open minds instead of closed ones like so many others have.

[Wisill]

Hi Ray, even though I've been actively researching through books, as well as actively pursuing my search in the field for more than a few years now, even I'm not 100% convinced that bigfoot exists.  However, with the amount of evidence that has been brought forth, most of it anecdotal, as well as things I have experienced that suggest something is out there, I can't deny there is a good possibility that it does exist.  

When it comes to tracks, you're right, there are a number of them that have been faked.  Some of those faked tracks are quite easily recognized, while others are pretty hard to discern.  Usually when someone creates a hoax, such as making fake tracks, their main motivation is to fool someone and get a kick out of doing so.  For this reason tracks that appear in areas that is easily accessible and visible to the general public are automatically under suspicion at the get go for me.  However, if you find tracks say several miles or more into a heavy forest that are nowhere near a hiking trail, and the odds of anyone ever finding them are near nil, what would be the motivation for someone to fake these?  


As far as the numerous reports, it is hard to believe they could all be lieing.  I'm sure there are a good many that are nothing more than fabrications, and some are misidentifications, however it only takes one true report to make the existence of bigfoot a fact.

[D.G.]

You make a good point about tracks being found off the beaten path.
The first tracks I ever saw were wat off in the sticks on a small game trail. My first thought was why hoax tracks here? Then we found something that you never hear of being hoaxed,  a knuckle print.

[Graybeard]

Dennis now that we've got a heckler free forum for it why don't you and John post some of your stories here?

[John]

Dennis does indeed have some interesting stories, and I understand that John has some as well. Knowing Dennis for a few years, and finally getting to listen to his stories face to face has me actually believing that there just might be some hairy critters out there in the woods that I've not seen yet. I need to hear John's stories face to face also.

I'm searching out folks with first hand encounters around here in my part of the world now. Before, I was real skeptical, and when Bulletmaker brought up the subject at his place a few years back I told him I was not a believer.

I still wanna see one though.

[Telahnay's g'son]

I just tried to post the (treestand incident) 3/03 event but by the time I was finished the (website) system had disabled my connection.  This is the third/fourth time for this to happen and it's rather frustrating.  Is there anything that can be done to alleviate this as Ray Ford has also encountered this problem when trying to post and extended story.  

[John]

type faster :-D .

[D.G.]

Sorry my tales are not as exciting as what ya'll have been used to. No cattle being killed and stuck 8-10 ft. up in a tree.
Really they are pretty tame.

[Wisill]

Personally I find less drama and the more mundane stories are more easily believable for a variety of reasons.  Sometimes people tend to embellish their sightings to a point where things are added to create excitement, and the true nature of the sighting is lost.  If you're willing to tell, I'm more than willing to sit here and read it.

[Graybeard]

There are several things you can do. Let me first explain the reason for it. This software sets up "sessions" for you when you log in and keeps the cookie active only for the session length if you fail to move data in that time it ends your "session" and logs you out. That time frame is 20 minutes which to the best of my knowledge is the max I can set it for to allow the forums to run smoothly.

So in every 20 minute increment of time you MUST move data.

Now as to how to accomplish that.

1. Write your stories in a word processing program or in an e-mail as if you were gonna send it if you have no word processor. Then you can just log in and copy and paste them to the forum and have no time problem.

2. Click FILE...NEW....WINDOW and you have two windows open. Type your message in one and from time to time move data in the other, it matters not what you do just make sure it moves data. That's the option I use.

3. Before clicking SUBMIT make DARN SURE you highlight and copy what you typed so you don't lose it and can just paste it when you get logged back in.

I'm sure there are others but those all work.

[Telahnay's g'son]

There are several things you can do. Let me first explain the reason for it. This software sets up "sessions" for you when you log in and keeps the cookie active only for the session length if you fail to move data in that time it ends your "session" and logs you out. That time frame is 20 minutes which to the best of my knowledge is the max I can set it for to allow the forums to run smoothly.

So in every 20 minute increment of time you MUST move data.

Now as to how to accomplish that.

1. Write your stories in a word processing program or in an e-mail as if you were gonna send it if you have no word processor. Then you can just log in and copy and paste them to the forum and have no time problem.

2. Click FILE...NEW....WINDOW and you have two windows open. Type your message in one and from time to time move data in the other, it matters not what you do just make sure it moves data. That's the option I use.

3. Before clicking SUBMIT make DARN SURE you highlight and copy what you typed so you don't lose it and can just paste it when you get logged back in.


I'm sure there are others but those all work.

Am in process of compiling four (4) stories in this fashion...will post up when done.

[Graybeard]

John please post each as a separate thread so we can confine our discussion to just one of them per thread. Having a bunch of different stories in one thread gets confusing to an old fart like me.  :lol:

[powderman]

Please do post the stories, I enjoy reading them. A few years ago I was fishing at my pond when I heard a chilling sound not far behind me. I"ve heard big cats around here but this was different, I didn't recognize the sound at all and can't really remember exactly what it sounded like. It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck as I looked at the 22 pistol hanging from my shoulder and marveling how small it looked. It sounded so close I half expected to see something as I slowly turned my head, but I saw nothing. Never heard it before, or since. POWDERMAN.  :?  :?  :?  :?