Bigfoot Bulletin - No 12 - 1969

Magazine Overview

The BIGFOOT BULLETIN, Issue No. 12, dated December 31, 1969, is a private newsletter focused on the Bigfoot/Sasquatch mystery. Published by George F. Haas of Oakland, California, it circulates among those actively engaged in research and is sent free in exchange for news and information.

Report from Oroville (By Bill Short)

This report details ongoing research by Roger Patterson and Dennis Jensen, who were encamped near Mr. Stickley's place on Table Mountain. They reportedly planned to use a one-man gyrocopter in their search. A local police agency was informed that they were using the copter. Ranchers in the area reported recent cattle stampedes through fences without apparent reason. While Patterson was enthusiastic, the cause was not definitively pinned on a Sasquatch, with one landowner suggesting a pack of wild dogs.

Bill Short also reports on a conversation with Mrs. Wes Strang, who recounted her husband's sighting on Halloween night. Wes Strang saw a large, hairy, ape-like creature described as 'hunched over, squatted down, with its front paws up to its face' in a berry patch. The creature disappeared when Wes returned to the house. Mrs. Strang mentioned that Patterson and Jensen had visited and could not find tracks, but noted that two fence posts were pulled up and their horses got out. She also confirmed the cattle stampedes and mentioned tracks found at Duensing's on Cherokee Road, and that her dogs had been acting strangely.

Report from Bossburg, Washington (By Rene Dahinden)

Rene Dahinden, a veteran Sasquatch hunter from British Columbia, sent a detailed report from Bossburg, Washington. The investigation began after tracks were found on November 24 by Ivan Marx and Joe Rhodes near a garbage dump. Dahinden, who had been investigating a sighting in Alberta, Canada, joined the effort. Roger Patterson and Dennis Jensen also moved their equipment from Oroville, California, to Bossburg.

On December 13, 1969, Dahinden and Ivan Marx found 1089 footprints in 3 to 4 inches of snow with light rain. These tracks were believed to be from the same creature that made earlier ones, with the right foot appearing malformed: the third toe was missing, there were two bumps on the side, the little toe stuck out at a sharp angle, and the whole foot was curved outward. The left footprint measured 17 inches long and 6.5 inches across the ball, with a 5.25 inch heel. The right footprint measured 16 inches long, 7 inches across the ball, and a 5 inch heel. The stride length varied from 43 to 57 inches, with many shorter.

The tracks led from the Columbia River, along railroad tracks, across a highway, and towards a mountain, wandering through brushy areas. They then returned across the flat and highway to the river's edge, where the creature apparently slid down a steep bank into the river. Tracks were also found about a mile upriver by a Border Patrolman, but were badly washed out by rain. At four points, the creature stepped over a 43-inch high barbed-wire fence. At the last crossing, 8 hairs were collected, described as 'thick and heavy and black,' with two about 3 inches long and the rest shorter and broken off. These hairs were sent to Edmonton for examination.

Dahinden also reported finding an area where something urinated, with two tracks close together. He considered this strong evidence if the tracks were real, regretting not collecting the urine sample due to being busy filming and examining tracks.

Dahinden stated this was the first time he had seen tracks in snow and considered it the most impressive set he had ever encountered, finding no indication of fakery and observing what he believed to be toe movements. The tracks were viewed by over a hundred people, including local residents, reporters, and members of the Border Patrol, Highway Patrol, and Sheriff's department, who were reportedly impressed.

Report from Oroville (By Warren Thompson)

Warren Thompson reported on his second trip to the hills outside Oroville, California, from November 27-30, 1969, during Thanksgiving holidays. An elderly gentleman he met on a previous trip claimed to have seen Bigfoot for almost five minutes from about 25 feet away on his property. The creature, described as 'definitely taller than the tree stump' (measured at 7'3" high), moved from behind a stump into an open field at a moderate pace, occasionally looking back. Thompson noted that this Bigfoot was identical to the one supposedly filmed by Roger Patterson in the Bluff Creek area, as he had viewed a copy of that film.

Additionally, the elderly gentleman reported that along with 18" and 15" tracks found on his property, a set of 52" prints were recently discovered. On Saturday night, he and his wife related unusual sounds heard around their property that might be attributable to Bigfoot. Thompson, returning to his observation post, heard sounds similar to the previous night and the creaking of barbed-wire fences. Around 8 P.M., he heard what he described as the chatter of a monkey or the 'in and out hooting like a chimpanzee,' lasting 5-6 seconds and being quite loud and distinct. He stated this sound was only heard elsewhere at the San Francisco zoo or on the TV show 'Daktari,' and was sure it could only have been made by an ape-like animal.

Thompson planned another trip to the area over New Year's, hoping to find more conclusive evidence.

Other Publications of Interest

• The bulletin lists several publications:
• "MAMMALS OF THE PACIFIC STATES" by Lloyd C. Ingles, featuring a chapter on 'Scats' of interest to Bigfoot hunters.
• "FUR BEARERS OF CALIFORNIA" and "BIG GAME", both 25¢ publications containing illustrations of wild animal tracks.
• "MORE STRANGE UNSOLVED MYSTERIES" by Emile Schurmacher, with a section on "The Controversial Sasquatch".
• "FATE Magazine", January 1970, with an article "Do You Believe Wild Monkeys In Tennessee ?" and an announcement of an article on Russian research on the Abominable Snowman.
• "THE LONG WALK" by Slavomir Rawicz, with Chapter 22, "The Abominable Snowmen", detailing an observation of two Abominable Snowmen.

Disney Studios See Monster Movie

John Green returned from a two-week trip to Los Angeles where he marketed his book "On the Track of the Sasquatch". He gave a talk and showed a film of a Sasquatch to zoologists and anthropologists at UCLA. He also discussed a potential Sasquatch documentary with a representative from Walt Disney studios. Green was planning to distribute books in Eastern Canada and the Prairies and confer with scientists in New York and at the Smithsonian Institution. He was also seeking someone to translate a scientific article from Professor Porshnev in Moscow.

Sasquatch Seen Near Lytton

A Vancouver man, Ivan Wally, reported seeing a creature on the highway three miles north of Lytton on a Thursday night. The creature was described as about seven feet tall, covered with short, grey-brown hair, with a face like a wizened old man. As Wally approached, it raised its arms and loped into the woods. The RCMP checked the area for tracks but found none due to hard packed ground.

The Advance also received a report from game guide Ivan Marks at Colville, Washington, about sightings in that area, with tracks found to corroborate the sighting.

Personal Announcement

Northern Californians with knowledge of recent tracks or creature sightings were asked to contact Bob Betts via telephone or mail. His objective is to travel with fellow searchers immediately to areas of fresh tracks or sightings.

Sasquatch Book Taken East

John Green returned from a five-week trip across Canada, introducing his book "On the Track of the Sasquatch". He sold 3,000 copies to wholesalers, bringing total sales to about 16,000. He made radio and television appearances and was the subject of 20 newspaper articles. He discussed his book with a reporter in Winnipeg who interviewed two men who saw a Sasquatch, and heard from a hitchhiker in northern Ontario about seeing a large, white, upright animal. Two Ojibway Indians from Ontario mentioned their people had a word for a manlike monster in the Canadian Shield. In Ottawa, Green showed the Sasquatch movie at the National Museum (deemed a hoax) and the Russian Embassy. He learned that scientific opinion in Russia also tends to frown on such reports, but government funds are used for investigation. A partial translation of a paper from Professor Porshnev indicated Russian interest in creatures less than six feet high that are good swimmers, see in the dark, communicate via high-pitched screams, and hibernate but do not disappear entirely in winter.

Agassiz-Harrison-Rosedale Advance Report

This report notes Rene Dahinden's presence in Bossburg, Washington, investigating tracks found near a garbage dump. The tracks were described as better than 16 inches long. Dahinden had been delayed in Toronto for an interview with Pierre Berton, where he showed the Sasquatch movie at the University of Toronto before driving to Bossburg. He saw remaining tracks from a weekend where over 1,000 tracks were observed in the snow.

Ben E. Foster Jr. Book

Ben E. Foster Jr. is writing a book about Bigfoot from 1800 to 1970 and is seeking information. He can be reached at P.O. Box 414, Fall River Mills, California 96028.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are eyewitness accounts of Sasquatch sightings, physical evidence such as footprints and hair samples, and ongoing research efforts by individuals and organizations. The bulletin appears to maintain a neutral but interested stance, reporting on findings and publications without overt skepticism or endorsement, encouraging active research and information sharing among its readers. The editorial stance is one of facilitating communication and disseminating information within the dedicated research community.