BIGFOOT BULLETIN

Magazine Overview

Title: BIGFOOT BULLETIN
Issue: No. 24
Date: December 31, 1970
Publisher: George F. Haas
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Bigfoot Bulletin, dated December 31, 1970, serves as a compilation of eyewitness accounts, research notes, and practical advice for Bigfoot investigators. It covers a range of topics from detailed sighting reports to methods of documentation and recent relevant publications.

Sighting Reports

Hyampom, Trinity County, California

Buzz McLaughlin reports on experiences at Manzanita Ranch School in Hyampom, California. In March 1970, he heard a high-pitched scream and witnessed a creature responding. In April 1970, he was awakened and saw a creature running through the trees. This activity reportedly continued for about a week. The creature was described as approximately 9 feet tall, resembling a large gorilla, with a football-shaped head, long arms, dark skin on the face, and long, dark brown-black hair. It emitted a strong, unpleasant odor. During the same week, a similar odor and heavy breathing were noted. In January 1970, panicked horse noises were heard without explanation. McLaughlin also recounts a story of a male and female Bigfoot appearing to a camper at Big Slide, who ate his beans before leaving.

Bluff Creek Area, Northern California (1965)

Steve Sanders recounts an incident from July 1965 at Blue Lake, where he and two other boys camped separately from their families. One night, Steve was awakened by footsteps near their tent. He heard a series of footfalls, followed by something pushing aside the tent flap. This object was described as dark and about four inches long. He then heard loud crashing in the bushes. The next morning, they found four indistinct impressions in the pine needle mulch, each about 1.5 feet long with a stride of 43 inches. A distinct track, 17 inches long and 7 inches across the ball, was found near the fire pit. Hairs, one to two inches long and reddish-brown, were found snagged on a dead tree branch in the creature's path. Sanders concluded it was a Sasquatch.

Near Mt. Rainier, Washington

Dick Grover reports on an investigation with Bob Fore. While hiking near Mt. Rainier, they heard a hooting noise. Later, they saw an animal described as 8 to 8 feet tall, weighing 400 to 450 pounds, walking erect. The creature was observed for about 20 seconds at approximately 30 meters. Its face, hands, and feet were bare, while the rest of its body was covered in hair. It made a sound described as blowing into a coke bottle, but loud and pronounced. Wayne Thuringer provided this account from July 10, 1970.

Research and Film Analysis

Ivan Marx Film

John Green writes on November 29, 1970, about a film supposedly taken on the east bank of the Columbia River, north of Bossburg. The film is estimated to be taken from 50 feet, not 100. The creature in the film is described as lying down, similar to Russian descriptions, but upright when moving. A large, flat callus on the hand is noted. Ivan Marx believes the creature in the film is very old. Marx claims to have seen tracks about 20 times and has pictures, but provides no further details.

Robert Hewes shares his impression, along with Ivan Marx's, that Bigfoot was lying down when a dog first approached it, and the initial pictures show it getting up rather than moving on all fours. The general opinion among researchers like Roger St. Hilaire and Rene Dahinden (who were leaving) was that Bigfoot hibernates like a bear.

Writing Reports

Jim McClarin addresses the issue of writing effective Bigfoot/Sasquatch reports. He notes that investigators often receive incomplete information or provide poor reports themselves. McClarin advocates for writing a full report that includes the essentials: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and ACCORDING TO WHOM (source of information). He provides a model report for Hugh Manoid's sighting of 4 Sasquatch running cattle on his ranch near Quadville, Arizona, on April 4, 1944, as cited in Charles Four's book.

McClarin also details his system for filing incident reports, using a card system that can be cross-indexed chronologically, geographically, and by name, as well as through other media like tape recordings and letters.

Recent Publications of Interest

The bulletin lists several recent publications relevant to the study of cryptids:

• CREEPY, #37 (January 1971): Featuring "King Keller" by Syd Shores & Nicola Cuti.
• BEYOND (February 1971): Featuring "The Mystery of Headless Valley" by Al Masters.
• THE SHADOW OF THE UNKNOWN by Coral E. Lorenzen (1970): Chapter VIII, "Creatures," concerns ABSMs.
• A MODERN LOOK AT MONSTERS by Daniel Cohen (1970): Chapter 6, "The Hairy Wild Ones."
• THE YETI by Odette Tchernine (1970): Information on this book was limited.

Editorial

George F. Haas notes that this issue marks two years of publication for the Bigfoot Bulletin. He expresses gratitude to contributors and acknowledges serious consideration of stopping publication, likening it to "having a Bigfoot by the tail." He hopes to continue publication into the next year and wishes readers a Happy New Year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are eyewitness accounts of Sasquatch/Bigfoot encounters, the challenges of documenting and reporting these events, and the ongoing efforts of researchers to gather and analyze evidence. The editorial stance is one of dedication to the subject matter, despite the difficulties, and a commitment to sharing information freely within the investigative community. The publication appears to be a collaborative effort, relying on contributions from various individuals interested in the phenomenon.