The following comments reflect my personal opinion and as I'm in no way an "expert" on "Squatchin" (aka; BF research) therefore no one should interpret the following as an attempt to infer any such status.
A little background info:
I was introduced to this avocation back in February of 2002 when a friend got four of us together to make a trip down to Mike Humphrey's (aka; Timberghost) place in Talihina to visit with him about the "Siege at Honobia" event when his brother shot something they apparently believed to be a BF. The details (versions thereof) are spread about the www on a variety of forums but suffice to say his brother ("Tug") fired upon this creature while he felt it was causing a threat to him and his family. We found the story very entertaining but when he drug out a series of photo's of alleged pictures of these creatures I (and two of the other three guys) could not see anything of what he (Humphrey's) was claiming to be in them. We were polite and didn't say anything being as we were guests in his home at the time.
Prior to this trip, DG & WW (~07/2001) had gotten into some interesting situations down on Spencer Creek (public, Corps of Engineers lands) with events such as screams, growls and trees (~12" in diameter) being shaken when they entered a certain area. They even photographed several large (foot) tracks that appeared to be ~14" in length. They first met Doug Bilby (Bulletmaker) down on the former Rogers county (EW34) sectionline road in August of 2001. BM claimed they were intruding upon his property (which they later learned was actually his neighbors land & COE public land) but was not belligerent at that time. A conversation was struck up when one of them mentioned strange goings on in the Spencer creek area and the subject of BF was brought up. Later, I was introduced to BM during a trip there subsequent to our Memorial Day weekend (05/2002) experience on the lower part of Spencer creek when we were approached by what was apparently an alpha male. What was unique about this was as this creature moved parallel to our (DG & me) position through the woodline the insects would become totally quiet as he/it passed by and then crank up again ~75 yards behind him/it. When he entered the woodline portion that was flooded (Oologah was ~8' above normal pool) you could plainly hear the sounds of wading but when it stopped and a loud crack split the night air as a small tree was broken in half the hair on our necks was at full alert. Something told both of us NOT to push the issue that night as we had been proceeding southward across a plowed field when he/it cut us off from down the treeline plus, he/it had the full moon at his/it's back with us out in the open ~50 yards from the treeline. DG had his walkingstick and a flashlight and I had the 870 and a small flashlight but it wasn't until later I discovered that I'd forgotten to load the thing. Anyway, we backed off and returned to the truck when the screams and hoots began to come from three directions at once. This event piqued my interest in trying to find out exactly what these things were although DG had been interested since HS when the "Noxie Monster" event created a small wave of hysteria/interest in NE Oklahoma back in the 1970's.
My/our subsequent outings/events such as the infamous "Louisiana Hunt" and "Spencer creek cookout" as well as others can be viewed on various threads on this site and on the BF Study site. What isn't listed is the nightime FTF Brian W., J3 & I had on BM's place, the daytime FTF I had on the COE lands west of BM's place or the daytime FTF on the Miller ranch located well north of Oologah lake although these will be posted at a later date.
Currently, DG and I have a habituation project ongoing in the western area of Spencer creek although the 100 year flood we recently went through put a hold on many aspects until lately. Also, we have access to a ~4K acre tract in the Kiamichi mountains and there are indications of activity despite statements to the contrary recently made by Humphrey's. The only way he would know anything is to have been trespassing for upwards of a mile into this property past a series of locked gates. However, what is even more interesting is the recent discovery of apparent activity in my immediate vicinity as evidenced by the FTF a local resident had last fall. We are working that on a weekly basis as it's proximity lends to ease of access.
With all that being said, the following is my appraisal of some of the current BF websites that claim to be in the "research" business...
The MABRC is a relatively new site based out of eastern Oklahoma that is jockeying for position in the BF "pecking order" of such websites. It's owner claims to be a heavy-duty researcher but if looks are any indication, he's probably better suited to be a spokesman for Krispy Kreme donuts. His "Senior Researcher" is a rather unique individual in that (to the best of my knowledge & belief) he's never had a FTF encounter despite spending a small fortune on equipment and countless hours in the field. Perhaps, that is best considering he apparently uses his kid (a minor child) as "BF bait" on some of his "hunts". IMHO, I don't know it that is a result of desparation or just plain sicko behavior.
KBR is Humphrey's website and as many of these tend to go, more of an "Amen Corner" for it's followers than producing anything of substance. In fact, other than to run this website and ride his brother's coat tails for ~7 years there doesn't appear to be much of anything else going on there. He does however have a penchant for cussing out those who don't subscribe to his viewpoints and that appears to be the extent of his intellect in that department.
GCBRO is the product of the legends of "Monster Central" a ~1500 tract located in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana and patronized by none other than "Monster Hunter" himself, Jim Lansdale. It was the site of the now infamous "Louisiana Hunt" but other than annual BBQ's, a paid (now defunct) newsletter, membership dues, paid hunts (post the 2003 "Hunt") along with an on-line gift shop nothing of substance has cropped up there either.
NABF is the product of Stan Courtney a (former?) BFRO field investigator and another newcomer to the internet circus. When I exposed the inaccurate aspects of a thread BM started on his website he chose to take no action to correct the situation. His credibility is suspect with me and I also find his waving of the religion card given his past actions somewhat disturbing. NABF & MABRC had a recent feud over who was poaching who's members. IMHO, two circuses are fighting over the same clowns.
BFRO is run by a lawyer. That pretty much sums it up for me.
BFF is the 500# gorilla in that it has ~4600 registered members and one of the highest traffic (if not the highest) BF websites going.
There are several others as well but chose to limit my comments to these sites.
To sum it all up in a general statement, several of these websites and their operators have been engaged in this effort for upwards of ten years. Unfortunately, a review of the history from ten years ago often reveals a case of SS/DD with them and sadly with no positive prognosis while others are content to "mine the miners" and extract as much financial gain as possible. Apparently, some folks grow in their efforts while others seem doomed to repeat the first year over and over and over.
