Bigfoot Bulletin - No 20 - 1970

Magazine Overview

Title: BIGFOOT BULLETIN
Issue: No. 20
Date: August 31, 1970
Publisher: George F. Haas
Location: Oakland, California

This issue of the Bigfoot Bulletin focuses heavily on the "Basin Gulch Expedition" which took place from August 11-20, 1970, in the Trinity National Forest, Shasta County, California. The report details multiple sightings and encounters with what witnesses describe as Bigfoot or Sasquatch.

Basin Gulch Expedition (August 11-20, 1970)

The expedition team, consisting of Ben E. Foster Jr., Sharon Gorden, and 13-year-old Richard Foster, camped in the Basin Gulch campground. Their primary purpose was fishing, but they also set out bait, including fish, spoiled raw chicken, and vegetables, in hopes of attracting a Bigfoot.

Initial Sightings and Encounters (August 11th)

On the evening of August 11th, around dusk, Sharon Gorden spotted a Bigfoot watching the campsite from a hill about 150 feet away. Ben Foster Jr. approached the creature, which then moved to the right side of the ravine. The Bigfoot then tossed a large rock, estimated to weigh 5 lbs., in Ben's direction from about 75 feet away. Ben interpreted this as a warning, as the rock landed several feet to his left and ahead of him. The creature appeared to have been carrying the rock. The party then retreated to their car.

Later that evening, around 8:30 P.M., Sharon Gorden, while sitting in the car, saw a creature approaching rapidly. The creature stopped about 30 feet away, and when she attempted to start the car, it fled into the woods. Ben and Richard, hearing the car, ran towards it but the creature was gone.

During the night, the party observed dark forms in the timber above camp and reported seeing at least four sets of eyes glowing red. Sharon and Richard specifically noted the eyes of two creatures crossing a meadow north of camp.

Around 10:30 P.M., Sharon was awakened by loud thuds. She saw a dark form standing about a foot from the car. The creature reached across the hood and flipped the car's radio antenna, on which Ben's shirt was hanging. Sharon was too afraid to cry out or turn on lights, fearing it might startle the creature.

Further Observations and Evidence (August 12th onwards)

The following morning, nine clear footprints were found in the dirt on a fire trail above camp and across the ravine. Several hundred possible tracks were seen in the heavy mulch. Four exceptionally fine casts were made of the best footprints.

On the evening of August 12th, around 8:30 P.M., Sharon saw two sets of eyes up a skidroad. Ben investigated and saw one creature about 75 feet away. A series of hand gestures were exchanged between Ben and the creature, with both crouching and standing. The creature then walked away and made a final gesture before Ben returned to camp.

Shortly after this, Archie Buckley, his son Bill Buckley, and George F. Haas arrived at the campsite. Their arrival apparently frightened the creatures away, as no further sightings were made.

Creature Descriptions

The creatures were described by Ben, Sharon, and Richard as being approximately 8 to 10 feet tall, weighing 500 to 800 pounds, heavily built, and dark in color. One creature seen by Sharon was light in color. They had little to no hair on their faces and little on their chests. Their arms hung to mid-thigh when standing upright. Their heads were described as egg-shaped rather than round, with no prominent crest. Ears were not evident, possibly hidden by short hair. The hair on the back was longer, perhaps 2 to 4 inches. The skin on the face was a dark chocolate color, with small, round, deep-set eyes beneath a heavy brow ridge. The eyes glowed red in the campfire light.

Additional Visitors and Evidence (August 15th)

Several other people joined the party, including Mr. & Mrs. J. Foster, Warren Thompson (a taxidermist), and John Steele. They examined the casts and other physical evidence.

On August 15th, J. Foster found the front half of a fawn carcass on a hillside about 200 yards from camp. The carcass appeared to have been torn apart cleanly, as if by a cleaver. The heart, lungs, and liver were missing, but the intestines were found about 10 feet away. About 100 feet to the north, five or six clear Bigfoot prints were found in a deer trail, near a pile of dung described as unlike any known animal in the region. Archie Buckley found where the kill had apparently been made, with large tracks indicating a large creature had stood behind a tree and grabbed the fawn. No blood was found.

Hunting Behavior Hypothesis

Members of the party believed the Bigfeet were in the area hunting deer. This was supported by the fawn kill and nightly screams and calls heard on the ridges. It was speculated that the creatures worked in pairs, with one frightening deer into fleeing along deer trails where another would be in ambush. Several locations with large trees beside well-traveled deer runs showed scuff marks and tracks, suggesting ambush points.

Other News and Expeditions

Ken Krasney Expedition: Eleven members are based near Notice Creek and Bluff Creek in the Six Rivers National Forest, California, planning to stay until September 22nd.

Morgan Expedition: Still in Florida, raising funds for a second expedition.

Warren Thompson: Spent July on a motorcycle trip through California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, visiting Bigfoot hunters and investigating reports.

Hungusland Confederation: A group from Pomona, California, plans an expedition to the Three Sisters Wilderness in Oregon in September. Nick E. Campbell, the leader, received a draft notice, but J.L. Browning, William Combs, and Thomas Hamm will proceed.

Rene Dahinden and Peter Mutrie: Flew to the Pitt Lake area of British Columbia on August 5th for Sasquatch hunting, planning to stay until mid-October. They have a German Shepherd dog and hope to be joined by other hunters.

Computer Survey Completed

John Green reported that a computer survey of Sasquatch sightings is complete, with over 290 questionnaires filled. He noted that some information may have come from existing data rather than current interviews.

Sasquatch Masquerade

John Green described an incident where a group of scouts staged a "deliberate masquerade" by having one person wear a dark blue turtle neck sweater and toque, with only their eyes visible, to appear as a Sasquatch or ape to passing vehicles. This was considered a dangerous prank.

Editorial Notes

The editor apologized for delays in answering mail due to spending a week at the Basin Gulch campsite and for the lack of space to include all submitted news items.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Bigfoot Bulletin consistently reports on expeditions, witness sightings, and physical evidence related to Bigfoot/Sasquatch. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and evidence for the reader's consideration. There is a clear interest in the behavior and habits of these creatures, including their potential hunting strategies and interactions with humans. The inclusion of various expeditions and ongoing research efforts highlights a commitment to gathering information from different sources and locations.