Bigfoot DNA – Proof Within Controversy
As the results of the Bigfoot DNA studies slowly emerge from the silence of Dr. Melba Ketchum’s lab, it is both exciting to hear about the discoveries, and distressing to realize there’s so much in-fighting and bickering going on. As usual, in Bigfoot research, every ego is on edge and some go over the edge.
I first heard of it from my neighbor, JavaBob Schmalzbach, author of Monsters, Myths, and Me and owner of the Footprints in Your Mind website. He was involved with Richard Stubstad and Dr. Melba Ketchum when the project started. However as it progressed and the non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) expired, communication within the team broke down. It seems that Ketchum has taken over the evidence and edged others out of the deal.
Consequently, Richard Stubstad recently published a statement about the results of the DNA research, after refusing to sign a new NDA giving Dr. Ketchum 100% of the glory and joy of the new discovery. It appears that her attempt to cut out her former associates has backfired.
This appears to be a typical Bigfoot research scenario. I don’t know what it is about Bigfoot, but researchers have been vying with one another for the glory of the great discovery for decades now. I tend to think it is a matter of motivation. When we’re caught up in the human drama rather than thinking first of the well-being of the Bigfoot people themselves, competition runs rampant. So many people want to be the owner of the name that goes down in history as the person who proved the existence of Bigfoot!
Richard Stubstad’s article about Bigfoot DNA can be found in the July 2011 issue of JavaBob’s online magazine: Footprints in Your Mind – Special Sasquatch Edition. It is also on his website.
According to his biography on Footprints In Your Mind.Com, Richard Stubstad started his Bigfoot research as recently as 2009. Since then he “initiated the mitochondrial sequencing of several purported sasquatch samples through Dr. Ketchum’s DNA diagnostics laboratory in Texas.”
The information he is revealing now is not a “leak” of someone else’s work, but rather is from Richard Stubstad’s own collection of evidence and work on the DNA project prior to being shut out. For more information see this rebutal found on JavaBob’s website. He believes he has a legal right to share this much with the public.
Quoting Richard Stubstad:
1) This wasn’t intended to be a leak. Since I am no longer working with Dr. Ketchum according to her own personal desires, I am simply reporting on the work I did, without assistance, on the mtDNA analysis of the first two unspecified mtDNA samples.
2) Dr. K is incorrect; I’m not at all “misinformed” about her ongoing DNA work on various purported sasquatch samples; I’m not informed whatsoever, much beyond what I have already stated.
3) What I stated was not the result of Dr. K’s own work; she merely provided the mtDNA sequencing that others (who provided samples) had paid for. I also paid for some of the testing involved out of my own pocket.
4) Dr. K did not initially notice the close connection between Samples 1 and 2; I did the statistical analysis and told her, quite openly, of the statistical results since we and several others were intimately involved in this exciting and cooperative research when it started.
5) Within a short period of time, she excluded me from what quickly turned into “her” project, along with several others. She told me that her lawyer(s) told her to do so. This does resemble the smell of blood, eh?
The two original samples submitted to the lab were from totally separate sources. In fact, the researcher offering sample #1 did not see eye-to-eye with the researcher offering sample #2, so there was no opportunity for cross-contamination. Nevertheless these two samples had strikingly similar DNA characteristics, enough so that Stubstad concluded that there is a 97-98% certainty that Bigfoot exists.
The mtDNA tests of both samples offered clues to the mitochondrial (maternal/female) origins, showing them to be 100% HUMAN (homo sapiens) proving that “Bigfoot People” is a reasonable term… just as many recent research reports have suggested. They are our cousins, and a likely possibility is that they resulted from breeding between something else, and humans of our species.
What is known about the “Mitochondrial Eve” for both the original samples, is that she was from the “Franco-Cantabrian glacial refuge”. She was a homo sapiens human being living in southern Europe 15,000 years ago, give or take about 5000 years.
Sources include:
Breathtaking News From the Erickson Project
New Erickson Project News: Bigfoot DNA Project Using Two Dead Bigfoot Bodies for Samples
Bear Hunter Interview – Part 2
Interview with Richard Stubstad – Is Bigfoot Human?
The issue of two dead Bigfoot . . . is something I can’t totally believe at this time, but I will explain it to you. The story is that a hunter in Plumas County, CA was threatened by a female Bigfoot, old enough to have gray hair. She was, according to him, blocking the road and making gestures that made him feel threatened, so he got out of his vehicle and shot her.
Then he says there were two young Sasquatches in the forest nearby, obviously upset by the female’s death. The hunter is reported to have shot and killed one of them.
The story continues that there were two other hunters with him. One became hysterical and they took away the rifle and wouldn’t let him shoot the third Bigfoot.
According to the web-rumors, the hunter is extremely worried about being prosecuted, and well he should be. California law is detailed and specific about what hunters are allowed to shoot. Bigfoot, of course, is not on that list.
Also, since the DNA is proving that Sasquatches are at least 1/2 human, there could be murder charges.
One rumor states that they left the bodies there. Another states that the bodies were recovered and sent to a Bigfoot research project in Washington state. And there’s the rumor that a piece of flesh from the female’s thigh was sent to Dr. Melba Ketchum for DNA analysis.
So, there’s the story of two dead Bigfoot bodies. I’m waiting for proof before I’ll believe any of it.
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All sources for this article can be found on the web.
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[Update: Radio broadcast - 7/9/11 - Richard Stubstad interviewed by M.K. Davis and Don Monroe. Thanks to Bobbie Short of Bigfoot Encounters for the link!]
[Update: Another radio broadcast - 7/9/11 - Robert Lindsay interviewed by the Minnesota Bigfoot Research Team, with a call-in from BFRO researcher Derek Randles, who spoke with the shooter of the 2 Plumas County Bigfoot and tends to believe the story. (I'm still reserving judgement on the story because it reminds me of the Georgia Bigfoot Hoax, the Stagecoach Nevada Bigfoot Hoax, etc. etc.... show me the proof!!!)]
July 1, 2011
What is the Plural of “Bigfoot”?
Would you say the plural of “Bigfoot” is “Bigfeet”? Or “Bigfoots”?
Right now, honestly, when I need to use the plural, I usually revert to “Sasquatches” because I’m not sure what’s most proper.
The word “Bigfoot” is kind of a strange name for this creature, in my opinion. It started in the nineteen-fifties when Humboldt County road workers found large footprints in the dusty dirt of the unpaved road beds they created. But surely this creature has a better name than that. I would L-O-V-E to know what they call themselves!
The word “Sasquatch” is not really a Native American name. “Oma” is… but would you then say “I saw three Omas yesterday?”
“Yeti” is a great name, and easy to make into the plural, “Yetis”. I don’t think anyone would argue with that.
“Wild Man” seems most reasonable to me.. and the plural would be “Wild Men” . . . plain and easy. But there are so many wild and crazy men in the world today, who would know the term referred to something large, reclusive and hairy?
So, I just thought I’d put it out there for your opinions…. what do you think the plural of “Bigfoot” should be?
June 26, 2011
Bigfoot Sightings T-Shirt
Here’s my first attempt at making a Bigfoot product … this is the Bigfoot Sightings Logo T-Shirt… soon to be joined by cups, camp aprons, and whatever else looks good! The Bigfoot painting came alive in my watercolor sketchbook last year.
I will be making more products using my Bigfoot art as time goes by… this is just a start.
This is what I’ll be wearing at this year’s Bigfoot Jamboree here in Happy Camp!
Update: The rest of the products are in!
Note: The basic t-shirt can be modified into many styles/colors/sizes.
Create a personalized gift at Zazzle.
June 25, 2011
RIP Don Campbell – Bigfoot Researcher
Am I the last to know?
I got my first email from Don Campbell on September 4, 2009. He started by telling me about his Bigfoot baiting techniques.
“Just read my friend, Cliff Barackman’s blog and now have read your
site. Cliff is trying out some of my bigfoot baiting techniques. I
mentioned to Cliff and DB Donlon aka The Blogsquatcher that I had been
using honey and sweet feed as an attractant to Bigfoot in the Carmel
Highlands area of Monterey County.” – Don Campbell
I posted some of his earliest emails in Creative and Useful Bigfoot Research Techniques, by Don Campbell. He recommended using honey jars to give Bigfoot a special treat, and had other very creative and unique ideas for connecting with them.
I continued to get steady email correspondence from him until Christmas, December 25, 2009, and then he disappeared from my email inbox without another word – until March 9 when he got out of the hospital after a nearly 3-month stay. His health had been bad for years. He spent eight years of his life in hospitals after an industrial accident crushed the lower half of his body.
On March 11 he wrote:
“Got the H1N1 swine flu shot in Nov. and ended up getting it anyway at end of December plus foot was acting up. Then I got MRSA on top of all that at hospital. Then they sent me home without rehab and my blood pressure dropped and I went back. Ended up in a acute care rehab place for 8 days.” – Don Campbell
After March 11, 2010, I never heard from him again. I emailed several times – until I got a notification back that his WebTV account had been closed.
At the time I suspected he might have died, but when I looked for obituaries online I couldn’t find any information, so I accepted that either he’d died or decided not to email me anymore.
Just a few days ago I was at JavaBob’s house and mentioned to him that I wanted to go on local expeditions this summer to use Don Campbell’s Bigfoot contact techniques. When I got home that day, I decided to do another web search to see if I could find any more information. I was hoping that some other blogger might have written something more recent about him. But that didn’t happen. Instead what I found was verification that he’d died last June. One year ago, on June 26, 2010.
He gave me permission to publish anything he’d written to me in email, so it is my intention to publish all his emails in an e-book, so his voice won’t be lost.
Donald E. Campbell Jr. – November 12, 1950 – June 26, 2010
June 13, 2011
Finding Bigfoot – Bigfoot Research on Television!
Lately I’ve received some comments about Matt Moneymaker, CEO of BFRO and apparently now the star of Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot television show. I say “apparently” because I don’t watch the show. I haven’t watched television in over ten years! (I’ll watch when Netflix posts it!) But for those of you who do watch television, this show is getting some attention and I’m getting criticisms of Matt Moneymaker — blog comments, and some comments in email – one from a person who thought Bigfoot Sightings is Matt’s site. ((Well, no, it isn’t!))
I have never met Matt Moneymaker and he’s never contacted me via email or any other way. I have nothing against him. I’ve heard complaints. I’ve heard praise of him too. And honestly, I have no opinion for or against him. I think it is cool he is working with Animal Planet to create a television show. This is definitely a great marketing move and I honestly don’t blame anyone who tries to make some money with Bigfoot research. It is idealistic to say people shouldn’t make money with their hobbies or avocations. We all have to pay the cost of living, and sorry to say this civilization requires personal funding.
So… I’m just saying… congratulations to everyone who is involved with the TV show. I hope the viewers enjoy it. Sorry there are criticisms of Matt but I’ll bet he’s used to that by now. You can’t actually DO anything “out of the box” these days without getting criticized because of it.
This site isn’t Matt’s. His Bigfoot site is BFRO which is a much more successful web enterprise and Bigfoot research endeavor than mine.
I’m not against anyone. I’m not in competition with anyone regarding Bigfoot research. I learned long ago that there are some huge egos in Bigfoot research and I’m not interested in trying to be bigger or better than anyone else. For me, Bigfoot research is a lot more fun without the personal squabbles, and I strive to avoid contact with ‘researchers’ who make a habit of criticizing and insulting others who are out looking for Bigfoot. ((God save me from divisive and egotistical bullies!))
For you who criticize – I’m not against you either. I have a ‘live and let live’ state of mind. Gosh, I feel that way about Bigfoot too!
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Oh… and great news for me… my old friend and neighbor JavaBob Schmalzbach is coming back to Happy Camp! I’m counting the days until I see him and his dear wife again. I don’t know how the rest of you out there in the Bigfooting world feel about him, but here in Happy Camp JavaBob is someone very special. He’s a former president of our Chamber of Commerce, and someone we care about for reasons that have nothing to do with Bigfoot! (And did you know I’m the person who brought up the idea of Bigfoot research here in Happy Camp, and shared that with Bob back in early 2005 when I first bought the domain name for this site? …And LOOK what he’s done with his Bigfoot research! He even wrote a book!!!) … so whatever anyone has to say about who he is or what he’s done, to me he is my friend and neighbor and someone who earned my respect and loyalty many years ago because of what he’s done for this community, his friendliness, his hospitality, his local business endeavors, and his lovely family….
March 21, 2011
Bigfoot Watching Target Practice? Yes or No?
A woman uploaded this video to YouTube because she thought the figure running in the background (starting at about 38 seconds into the video) could have been a Bigfoot.
Do you agree? Yes or no?
My opinion is that it could have been, but it is too far away to be certain. I don’t believe the helicopter had anything to do with it. If helicopters were going to track Bigfoot, they’d have a field day here in the Klamath National Forest, if they could see past the trees. Thankfully, they’re usually not around.
The running figure could have been a man who suddenly decided he was too close to possible danger. Or it could have been a Bigfoot frightened away. It seems plausible that it could have been a Bigfoot because… why would a man sit so close to kids with guns? You would think a man would be aware that it could be dangerous.
Again, it could have been a criminal the helicopter was looking for. The area doesn’t look heavily forested enough to be prime Bigfoot habitat. Note that it runs fast on snow, something men usually don’t do.
There’s quite a lot of response on the YouTube page if you want to click through and read that.
From a Bigfoot researcher’s POV I find the film of little value in proving the existence of Bigfoot. Even if what we’re looking at is a legitimate running Bigfoot, it is too far away to be able to analyze it in any detail in the way that the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film has been analyzed. If people still refuse to believe that Patty was a Bigfoot, how would they ever believe this?
My partner said, “If that’s a fake, it’s an excellent fake.” We stopped the video several times and noted the man or whatever it was, had a very long stride.
March 7, 2011
A New Bigfoot Documentary – Coming Right Up!
The Erickson Project team, founded by Adrian Erickson, has worked to uncover scientific evidence proving the existence of Bigfoot according to their website, Sasquatch The Quest. A documentary is “in the works”. Naturally, most Bigfoot enthusiasts hope the Erickson Project is able to produce the proof we’ve been waiting for and that hundreds of qualified zoologists and other professional scientists will decide to take up the quest for truth once convincing DNA evidence is made public.
The following video, released late last week by MrMayDX08 on YouTube features scientists including Dr. John Bindernagle and Dr. Jeff Meldrum
Adrian Erickson’s first sighting was in 1959. He was only seven years old at the time. Consequently his fascination with proving the existence of Bigfoot has been a life-long quest, one that he’s been fairly successful at with several other encounters including a 2001 sighting in the Canadian Rockies.
His team members include Dennis Pfohl (Project Manager) and Dr. Leila Hadj-Chikh (Project Scientist). DNA testing is provided by Dr. Melba S. Ketchum, president and founder of DNA Diagnostics, Inc. d/b/a Shelterwood Laboratories, Texas.
For several years the Erickson Project team worked on collecting evidence – hair, saliva and blood samples. These are undergoing analysis of mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA. When all necessary research is complete the “Sasquatch the Quest” documentary will be released. There is no known anticipated release date at this time.
