ISC Newsletter - Vol 12 No 2 - 1993-96

Magazine Overview

This issue of The ISC Newsletter, Volume 12, Number 2, published between 1993 and 1996, is dedicated to cryptozoology, with a strong focus on Bigfoot and the Eastern Puma. The cover features an interview with Bob Titmus, described as Bigfoot's most persistent hunter, and includes an editorial on Bluff Creek and an announcement regarding the Eastern Puma.

Interview with Bob Titmus: Bigfoot's Most Persistent Hunter

The central piece of this issue is an extensive interview with Bob Titmus, conducted by J. Richard Greenwell, Editor of The ISC Newsletter. Titmus, an Honorary Member of the Society, passed away shortly before this interview was published. He dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to investigating Bigfoot, beginning in 1958. His efforts included extensive fieldwork in Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and he is credited with finding and casting more supposed Sasquatch tracks than any other investigator.

Titmus recounts his initial involvement in 1958 when Jerry Crew showed him a cutout of a giant foot and asked if it could be a bear track. Titmus, an experienced hunter and tracker, assured him it was not a bear track and taught Crew how to make plaster casts. This led to Titmus visiting the site in the Six Rivers National Forest, Northern California, where he found tracks that convinced him they were not a hoax. The famous photo of these tracks appeared in newspapers nationwide.

He describes tracking the creature for about 3,000 feet, becoming convinced it was an unknown animal. Titmus then recalls a sighting in 1942 in Alaska while on a ship heading to a construction site. He saw a large, hairy, muscular creature, which he later identified as a Bigfoot or Sasquatch, though at the time he dismissed it due to disbelief.

Titmus details his involvement with millionaire Tom Slick in 1960, forming the Pacific Northwest Expedition. He discusses the challenges of financing such expeditions and the difficulties encountered with team members like Peter Byrne. His search eventually shifted to British Columbia, where he became a Canadian citizen and continued his investigations, often from a boat.

He recounts finding tracks on beaches, including one set coming out of the water, suggesting the creature swam through a storm-whipped sea. After Tom Slick's death in 1962, Titmus continued his work independently, even starting a taxi business to fund his searches. He also mentions finding tracks near Terrace, British Columbia, and his conviction that the Patterson film was authentic, having known Roger Patterson casually.

Titmus believes the Sasquatch might be a Gigantopithecus, a giant primate thought to be extinct. He suggests that society hasn't recognized the Sasquatch because it is simply unbelievable. He argues that convincing scientists would require bringing a specimen to them. He also discusses the possibility of a hoax, stating it would require immense resources and effort over decades.

Titmus expresses his satisfaction with his own curiosity-driven pursuit, stating he is content with his findings and doesn't care about convincing skeptics.

Editorial: A Last Farewell to Bluff Creek

This editorial reflects on the significance of Bluff Creek as a location in Bigfoot literature, particularly due to the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film. The author, J. Richard Greenwell, recounts a trip in June 1996 to the Patterson site with Bob Titmus and a German film crew. The journey was fraught with difficulties, including a damaged fuel tank on Titmus's car and a challenging hike through dense vegetation. The editorial highlights Titmus's physical limitations due to a past injury, contrasting with his lifelong dedication to fieldwork. The author describes the challenging terrain and the eventual return to the vehicles, where Titmus, despite his health issues, provided cold Cokes, showcasing his enduring spirit. The piece concludes by noting that this was Titmus's final visit to Bluff Creek, and that he died a year later, convinced that a population of about six Bigfoot had once inhabited the area.

Eastern Puma Officially Acknowledged in Canada

This article reports on the official acknowledgment of the Eastern puma (Puma concolor) in New Brunswick, Canada, in March 1993. The puma, also known as cougar or mountain lion, was largely considered extinct in the Eastern U.S.A. and Canada. The acknowledgment followed the examination of large tracks found in western New Brunswick by Tom O'Blenis and subsequent analysis by provincial biologists. A fecal sample collected near the tracks contained cougar hairs, leading to the definitive conclusion that a puma population existed in the province. This finding vindicated the work of biologist Bruce Wright and numerous eyewitnesses who had long reported puma sightings.

The article details the findings, including track measurements and the analysis of the fecal sample by C.G. van Zyll de Jong of the Canadian Museum of Nature. The report, "Evidence of the Eastern Cougar in New Brunswick" by Rod Cumberland, is cited. The announcement by New Brunswick Minister of Natural Resources, Alan Graham, marked a significant shift from previous official denials and skepticism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly emphasizes the importance of persistent, evidence-based fieldwork in cryptozoology, as exemplified by Bob Titmus's dedication. It highlights the challenges of convincing the scientific establishment and the value of personal conviction derived from direct experience. The ISC Newsletter maintains a stance of serious investigation into unexplained phenomena, providing a platform for researchers and field investigators. The acknowledgment of the Eastern Puma suggests a growing openness to recognizing cryptids when sufficient evidence is presented. The publication also serves as a memorial to Bob Titmus, celebrating his contributions to the field.

The ISC Newsletter, Volume 12, Number 2, published between 1993 and 1996, is an issue from the International Society of Cryptozoology. The publication focuses on matters related to animals of unexpected form or size, or unexpected occurrence, serving as a platform for investigation, analysis, and public discussion.

Eastern Puma Case Study

The lead article discusses the Eastern puma, referencing a sighting by an individual named Harrison near Fredericton. Harrison, a political candidate at the time, initially concealed his sighting due to concerns about public perception but later revealed it, finding unexpected support from rural residents who had also reported similar sightings. This event led to his election victory.

The article draws two key lessons from this case. Firstly, it emphasizes that eyewitnesses can sometimes be correct, and that dismissing anecdotal evidence outright can hinder the discovery of important zoological facts. It posits that cryptozoology's role is to discern which anecdotal evidence might represent new zoological information.

Secondly, the article addresses the human tendency to declare species extinct prematurely. It argues that animals classified as extinct may simply be employing survival skills to remain hidden, and that it is human arrogance to define their existence status.

The piece then contrasts the Eastern puma's situation with that of the Bigfoot. While zoologists found the evidence for the Eastern puma (supported by consistent eyewitness testimony) convincing enough for official acknowledgment in New Brunswick, similar evidence for Bigfoot (tracks, hairs) has not been accepted. The article suggests that the 'drama' of a discovery is a subjective factor, not an objective zoological one, especially when no specimen has been produced for Bigfoot.

A peculiar situation arises regarding the Eastern puma's status: while officially acknowledged in New Brunswick, Canada, U.S. wildlife agencies still consider the species extinct. This creates a scenario where a puma ceases to exist as a recognized species the moment it crosses the border into the U.S., despite numerous puma reports in states like Maine.

Quote

The issue features a quote from Arthur C. Clarke: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

Society Information

The second page provides details about the International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC). Founded in 1982 in Washington, D.C., and incorporated under its laws, the ISC is a tax-exempt, non-profit scientific organization with its Secretariat located in Tucson, Arizona. Its purpose is to investigate, analyze, publish, and discuss matters related to cryptozoology, and to serve as a forum for public discussion and education. The Society explicitly states it takes no position on the actual existence of supposed animals and that opinions expressed by individual members do not reflect official Society policy.

Information on memberships and subscriptions is provided, detailing annual fees for individuals (US$42 or £28) and couples (US$47 or £31), which include the ISC Newsletter quarterly and the journal Cryptozoology annually. Institutional subscriptions are US$65. Payment methods, including personal checks in local currencies for non-U.S./U.K. members, are outlined. Back issues of the Newsletter and journal are available for purchase, with discounts offered for larger orders.

The newsletter also lists its Field Medical Advisor, Michael J. Manyak, M.D., and its Honorary Members and Benefactors, including notable figures in cryptozoology and related fields from various countries. Corporate and Institutional Sponsors are also acknowledged.

Archival Material Policy

Members are encouraged to submit copies of cryptozoology-related reports, articles, and scientific papers to the ISC Secretariat for archival purposes. Submissions should include full references, and while acknowledgments are not guaranteed due to mail volume, all items are reviewed and preserved.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the validation of eyewitness accounts in cryptozoology, the challenges of proving the existence of cryptids, and the often-bureaucratic hurdles faced by scientific acknowledgment of unusual species. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging the investigation of anecdotal evidence while maintaining a scientific methodology, and highlighting the potential arrogance in human pronouncements about extinction.