Bigfoot Sightings

Sightings of Bigfoot/Sasquatch have been occurring in North America and around the world for well over 200 years. The creature has been dubbed America’s quintessential monster but we know little more about the beast today than we did during the “Bigfoot craze” of the 1970′s. If there was one constant among the lore of the Sasquatch, it would be that there is a certain, typical profile associated with a Bigfoot sighting/encounter. In the vast majority of encounters with this elusive creature across the world, there is a number of commonly observed scenarios that present themselves typically. And it doesn’t matter if the creature is known as Sasquatch, the Abominable Snowman, the Yeti, or even the Yowie from Australia, they all act in a similar manner. In fact, they act so similarly most Bigfoot investigators believe they’re all the same type of cryptid in one way or the other.

This is not to say that there is a universal manner in which all Bigfoot sightings adhere to. Rather, this just means that there are certain components and actions common with seeing the creature since the behavior of the creature in its natural habitat is constant. As most animals in the wild behavior are constant unless threatened in some form or fashion. In the case of Bigfoot, most researchers believe they have no natural predators and the biggest threat to their livelihood are in fact human beings. Many folks are seeking them out in order to prove they exist while others so-called Bigfoot hunters are seeking fame and fortune. Unfortunately, in both scenarios, people are willing to hunt them down and expose them to the world dead or alive.

The Common Traits To A Prototypical Bigfoot Sighting Are:

A significant number of Bigfoot sightings occur at night. While it is not the case that all Bigfoot sightings are nighttime events, the vast majority of sightings are nighttime affairs. The reason for this is that Bigfoot is considered a nocturnal creature. As such, it will not search for food or traverse around during the day. At night the creature will likely move around more which increases the odds of it being seen. However, the cover of darkness reduces the chances of it being seen too far less than what would be the case during the day.

Almost all Bigfoot sightings are by accident. Bigfoot sightings happen close enough to the subject that it is usually heard before seen. Bigfoot sightings are often times fleeting and just a glimpse, but there is no mistaking its massive stature and gait. Other than the infamous Patterson/Gimlin Film, it is extremely rare sightings occur when on an actual hunt for the creature. One would have to assume the creature becomes “spooked” when humans are chasing it, making it less likely the creature will move around out in the open.

Bigfoot sightings are common on roads and by streams. The reason for this is that it is much easier to actually see the creature in the open than it is in the brush. If the creature needs to cross a road or wishes to drink from a stream, it must leave the brush and opens itself to exposure. It is essentially leaving behind its natural camouflage anytime it leaves the brush/woodlands exposing itself to possible human intervention. It is also much easier to see the creature in the open since there are no obstructions. The creatures are very big and can be seen from a great distance away.

Bigfoot creatures are extremely docile and likely to avoid humans. They do seem to be used to humans and do not become startled when meeting humans. These creatures do, however, wish to avoid humans and will immediately wander off as soon as they come across a human traveler. It is thankfully exceptionally rare that instances of aggression are reported when discussing human interactions with Bigfoot. Though these creatures are passive and extremely docile in their nature, they are not vegetarian creatures and will not hesitate to kill an animal if they become hungry, especially if the animal is larger than themselves. They have been observed to hunt animals, including large mammals such as deer. It is theorized that Bigfoot will eat these animals in a “sophisticated” method of butchering. This theory states that the creature will hit the animal over the head with a rock or other object, stunning it. This may have led to some myths about Bigfoot being aggressive towards humans, but the creature’s nature is still for the most part considered non-violent and is extremely docile when it comes to humans.

Many people are aware that these creatures could exist, but it is often difficult for people to digest the fact that these large and mysterious creatures have actually attacked or killed humans. The reason for this is that there are very few officially recorded attacks between Bigfoot and human beings. It is virtually unheard of event for an aggressive Bigfoot to attack a human. It is therefore very rare that any attacks are reported and thus makes this creature seem much more docile than it actually is according to some. These creatures are not to be underestimated by any means, especially when considering their extremely large size and strong physical make-up. In terms of the number of aggressive encounters recorded by Bigfoot researchers, this number has been estimated at being less than one percent. This figure accounts for cases in which humans have been attacked or even possibly killed by Bigfoot. Bigfoot does not seem to be territorial towards other humans, but they do however appear to be interested in how many humans are on their territory with them at any given time for obvious reasons.

Bigfoot sightings are often preceded by the noticing of a foul stench in the air. This is why Bigfoot has been given such names as “Skunk Ape” in places such as Florida. In a way, it is unfair to dub Bigfoot as “smelly” per se; as all wild animals smell pretty bad out in the backwoods. Just for clarification, a skunk ape seems to be a type of smaller version of a Sasquatch that has been allegedly spotted in the swamps of Florida. It apparently has a putrid smell when encountered hence the name skunk ape.

While Bigfoot sightings are certainly random as far as we can tell, there are certain common traits that occur regularly during these encounters. Since Bigfoot remains such a mysterious and elusive creature, its actions are difficult to predict and consequently study. We do know, however, how the creature commonly acts based on recorded sightings of the beast. The information above was based on Bigfoot researchers and general people who believe Bigfoot is real. For the skeptics, all this is simply animal misidentification and or hoaxes perpetrated for money and fame. Only time will tell if any of these alleged creature encounters will ever lead up to something substantial in terms of evidence of their existence.

This article is not intended to convince any certain person that they should accept the existence of Bigfoot, or of anything else for that matter. If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: no one knows if Bigfoot exists or not until more conclusive evidence is presented. What’s important is the scientific method of researching sightings and following a trail of evidence. What this article does do is give a brief history of sightings and other alleged evidence worldwide, and hopefully provide some interesting and/or humorous tidbits from the lives of Bigfoot hunters (which are actually mostly a bunch of misfits trying to find something in the woods).

• Bigfoot is also caught on camera quite often. Photos and videos are good evidence for the actual existence of an animal species. It is probably only a matter of time before a researcher catches images of the creature in its natural environment and zooms in on it. The more this happens, the more likely it is that researchers will be able to get a clear picture of what exactly The Man in the Woods looks like. This would be very important to the assumption that these creatures are simply a new mammalian species, perhaps even some kind of human-hybrid descendant.
• Sightings around campfires are common. The creature is attracted to the light and warmth of a fire and will use the fire as a type of beacon.
• Bigfoot sightings on roads are very commonplace because of the creature’s need for water, food, mates, shelter, and just simply wonderment at human presence in areas where it lives or sometimes travels.
• California, Washington, and Oregon see a lot of sightings due to the amount of wilderness in those states.
• Sightings and encounters are often reported around areas that were once Native American territory. This is why many believe Native Americans knew about these creatures and learned to deal with them in their own way. While their existence has been debated heavily, there is no doubt Bigfoot exists on some level to Native Americans.