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What is Bigfoot?
This is without a doubt the most asked question of anyone who's familiar with the subject. I know from personal experience as I get asked the question many times when the subject comes up. One of the strengths of the Internet is the availability of information on the web and Bigfoot is no exception.
However, as with all Internet subjects one must exercise care about the quality of information you get and choose to believe. Here we'll remain within mainstream science for discussing Sasquatch with an occasional reference for characteristics which defy rational explanations.
The best website on the net for basic information is the Bigfoot Field Research Organization (BFRO). They've got several pages of FAQs starting with What is Bigfoot? There are many pages in this series and it's worth the readers time to explore them. Also, there's a very good listing of useful literature and I would suggest the most current information is Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science. Professor Jeff Meldrum, September 2006; Another very good book is the Hoopa Project by David Paulides.
Another very good website for information about What is Bigfoot, Bigfoot Encounters by Mrs. Bobbie Short. She has very good information on her site with numerous papers and articles about the subject. I suggest the reader have some subject knowledge before going to her site. Many of her papers are written by credentialed people who are writing for readers with knowledge of the subject.
Origins of Bigfoot:
How can you define the origins of a nontaxonomically classified species which most of science still considers a myth, legend or hoax? The obvious answer is you can't but the few credentialed scientists who have studied the Bigfoot mystery are willing to take some educated guesses. Their theories consider 2 possible fossil species for the modern Bigfoot which may extend to the Yeti and the Australian Yowie.
The first is often referred to as the Bigfoot-Giganto Theory. This theory is well explained in the BFRO posting cited here. The posting contains other references which the serious reader may wish to follow-up on. The late Professor Grover Krantz, primatologist from Washington State University and author of Bigfoot Prints was a strong advocate of this theory as well as is Professor Meldrum cited above.
The second theory proposes that Paranthropus, a fossil hominid genus is the direct ancestor of Bigfoot. The theory is discussed in some depth by Professor Loren Coleman on his Cryptomundo Blog Site. Professor Coleman is one of the worlds leading cryptozoologists and an expert on unknown animals.
These are the 2 major theories about the origins of Bigfoot. Other theories exist but are not considered plausible by scientists involved in Bigfoot research. The reader is cautioned that the existing theories are really educated guesses based on limited evidence.
A great deal more evidence must be gathered before an accurate theory of the origin of Bigfoot can be postulated and put forward by science. This will require the taxonomical classification of the species and extensive work by many fields of science. It may go so far as to require an interdisciplinary approach before the What is Bigfoot question can be answered.
Bigfoot Report Databases:
Please note that our encounters website has been taken down as a duplication of effort. There are several databases available which list encounters and you can find them through a search engine. The ones listed on our sites are the ones we considered the most reliable and consistent overall.
You can make a report on our site and we will act upon it. We'll either investigate the report and list it on our site or refer you to another researcher. All witnesses are treated with confidentiality and they're generally not identified unless they specifically ask to be. This is a common practice among all credible Bigfoot researchers.
Bigfoot Website Links:
The Bigfoot Discovery Project and Museum. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and hosted by Mike Rugg the website and the museum contain very good information about the BF subject. Mike has a nice store in the museum with many items for sale. Also, he has a wall map marked with pins of all the local sightings in the greater Santa Cruz area.
The Bigfoot Hub: A good site for information about Bigfoot with a news section on the homepage.
The Bigfoot Research Organization. One of the oldest and best sites on the net. It has the best national and international Bigfoot report database in existence. Although at times controversial the group and its' researchers can usually be relied upon for the accuracy of their information.
Oregon Bigfoot. A very good site with an emphasis on the state of Oregon. The links page is well done and very complete.
Other Bigfoot Websites:
Scientific Papers and Evidence:
Drawings or Sketches:
The Painted Cave by Pete Travers: A very good Sasquatch on-going head and body sketching site with submissions. Highly recommended for those who've seen a Bigfoot.
John Green's Bigfoot Case Database: John Green was one of the early Bigfoot researchers and is well respected for his work and research. John's collection of Bigfoot Reports is available here as a searchable database.
Our Bigfoot: Humorous spoof site which is a project of father and 3 sons.
Alternate theories or explanations for the phenomena of Bigfoot:
Note: Should we discard ideas regarding the Bigfoot phenomena because we think they are radical or belong to the fringe element as the late Dr. Grover Krantz described unscientific explanations submitted to him. Perhaps not because many ideas which were ridiculed when proposed are now accepted as scientific fact. Therefore websites which have ideas contrary to current accepted scientific thought are posted here.
Bigfoot Forums. One of the best and most controversial forums about Bigfoot on the web. A good source of information but sometimes not credible. Users should expect a certain amount of sarcasm and skepticism about the subject.
Kiamichi Forum: An interesting board from the Midwest with a slant toward shooting a BF. Registration is required to view the board.
Bigfoot Blogs:
Bigfoot Evidence: Interesting blog by Larry Surface with some good evidence as audio files. Blog originally noted by DB Donlan.
Bigfoot Lunch Club: I find this blog rather funny but I have a rather weird sense of humor. Take a look to laugh or get offended.
The Blogsquatcher. Hosted by DB Donlon. This is one of the best and most controversial BF blogs on the net. DB doesn't hesitate to take on different aspects of BF research. He has great interviews and a very good archive. He's my favorite noncredentialed blogger on the BF subject on the net. DB has for the time being stopped blogging on 4/24/2010 and has removed his blog from the web. It's unknown if anyone has archive copies of his blog but I asked him for them and was politley refused. DB is gone for the time being unless he decides to return.
Richard Noll on Cryptomundo. Richard Noll is a long time BF researcher and was formerly with the BFRO. He's the owner of the famed Skokum Meadows Body Cast which was examined by the late Dr. Grover Krantz and other scientists.
Craig Woolheater on Cryptomundo. Craig is the Director of the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy (TBRC) and has his own blog. Interesting stuff and worth reading when time permits.
Search for Bigfoot: Interesting blog with Melissa Hovey and others. In a March 2010 post Melissa makes reference to Dr. John Napier.