Whaddya think?

[Telahnay's g'son]

D.G. and I have been kicking around an idea lately and although we are by no means the final "experts" on this I thought input from folks in these parts would be helpful so here goes:

As you may know there are certain BF "organizations" that set up "outings" for those interested in this endeavour.  They charge a rather hefty fee but basically (apparently) leave participants largely to their own devices rather than deliver very much significant hands on help.  The general consensus among the BF community seems to be one that many of these events are more economically motivated rather than being inspired by a desire to further the effort to solve the mystery in general.

To that end, what we've bandied about is the notion of organizing AND moderating a workshop for novices who are serious about learning more about what the BF research effort is all about.

This would be a workshop held in the woods among the habitat BF resides therein with a goal of delivering real information the participants could take and implement into immediate practical application on their own subsequent to the workshop.

We would take the attendees out and actually show them things such as bows, X formations, pinwheels, blinds, etc. so that they would know what to look for and what it really looks like compared to naturally occuring formations.

While an encounter is by no means a lead pipe cinch we will be in areas of known activity.  Also, we will introduce the participants to sounds heard in the woods and attempt to help them learn to distinguish between those produced by known forest dwellers and those which may come from other sources.

Casting techniques introduced would include using materials previously omitted from many "experts" inventory of product.  How to properly preserve, document and analyze the scene of a finding would also be discussed in detail.

Guest speakers would possibly include people with considerable experience in photographic technique and analysis, woodmanship skills such a how to read tracks, etc. as well as FTF discussion with persons who've actually had BF encounters in the field so a perspective as on what to expect (emotional reaction, etc.) when the FTF indeed does happen.

We plan on furnishing housing/food to the attendees and basically keeping a tight loop on the agenda so as to maximize the potential for everyone to benefit from the experience.  Fee structure is currently dynamic as the cost numbers (housing, food, guest speakers, etc.) haven't yet been finalized.

Anyway, we'd appreciate any feedback y'all could give us on this idea.

Thanx,
TG

[Graybeard]

John shoot me a PM with a phone number I can reach you at and a best time for calling. I want to discuss with you via phone.

[Ray Ford]

Tg'son,

Keeping in mind that one of my first posts on Graybeard had to do with Big Foot being the best excuse since Mens' Prayer Meeting to get out of the house and with the guys, this sounds like an interesting idea.  But a couple or three things:

1. I would be interested in a little more specific statement of objectives coupled with specific instructional content.

2. Some questions occur to me:  Would the in-the-woods seminar be restricted to people absolutely convinced of the existence of the creatures or could people just open to the possibility attend?  I assume that you would want people willing to take the seminar seriously and not those who would be there to redicule/deride the event.  Would this be considered an actual hunt or what?

3. I can't imagine what you are thinking about being very productive if 787 people show up with beer and .50 caliber rifles.  I would think that a small group would be better.  I couldn't say exactly what the optimum size would be.

But, it does sound interesting.

[GBO MGMT]

Not to speak for John as he can and will speak for himself, but I had a long phone conversation with him on this so can give you a preliminary idea until he arrives with a full repsonse.

He and Dennis aka D.G. are thinking of setting this up as a regular thing. Intervals to be determined. They do intend I think that it be first and foremost a training session for folks interested in Bigfoot to learn what to look for, how to see it for what it really is and how to properly document the evidence found.

It will be a combination of lecture with the two of them and also guest speaks of note plus in the field hands on experience. I think I can almost assure you alcohol will NOT be a part of the experience. Guns may or may not be, dunno, but if they are no one who has had a drink of alcohol will have one in hand. Not after their experience in LA.  

I suspect anyone who has an interest in bigfoot research would be allowed to attend but anyone proving themselves to be there to disrupt is likely to be shown the door, the one marked OUT that is.  :lol:

They do intend to provide food and lodging so obviously numbers of folks will be limited. He might have an idea how many at this time or that might be worked out later. Small will likely be the watch word not large. He's going for a QUALITY exprience.


I have offered him the Forums Site I've got set up at: http://www.gbofreeforums.info/Bigfootstudy/ for now but which will be moved to the domain www.bigfootstudy.com soon.

That domain Bigfootstudy.com will become the internet Home for his organization and the forums the place to talk about things for it. John, Dennis and other known and respected members of the bigfoot community will be in charge of it and will be providing the content and controlling how it is run.

I will be a silent (for the most part) person in the background keeping the site going mostly. I will not be sharing in the income from the events but they will not be the major or sole output of the site either.

We've agreed in principle on these things so far. Final details to be worked out.

[Graybeard]

Matt has the shell for the new Bigfootstudy.com site up now on the GBO server at: http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/bfs/  Please stop by and take a look and tell us what you think of it.