Ouachita Bigfoot Study

[+DieChecker]

I'm not sure why we didn't see this earlier last year. It popped up on my Google list the other day.

http://doubtfulnews.com/2015/03/four-year-bigfoot-research-project-in-oklahoma-yields-intriguing-and-unexplained-results/

Here’s a strange beast – a comprehensive report of a research study intended to document the apparent presence of native “wood apes” (popularly known as Bigfoot) in the Ouachita mountains of Oklahoma. The North American Wood Ape Conservancy consists of serious researchers who carefully plan their approach and document their findings. They have published a detailed report of a four year research project.

Conclusion

The NAWAC initiated the Ouachita Project with many questions about the purported

existence of an uncatalogued anthropoid in the Ouachita Mountain Ecoregion. Indeed,

when the first team arrived on site on June 4, 2011, there was no real sense of how the

project might go. Although the small amount of documented activity during the previous

November trip had been intriguing, as had a number of other documented events from

2000-2010, participants were generally ambivalent regarding the possibility that any sort of

hard contact with an undescribed species of North American ape would result from the new

research approach. Even though the NAWAC corps were eager to put the Anthropoid

Hypothesis to the test, it was extremely difficult to overcome or explain away the nagging

fact that the NAWAC had placed significant numbers of the best commercial cameras

available in the valley for a period of five years with no photo-documentation of a novel

species to show for it. If such a species did exist, then it seemed reasonable to assume that at

some point during the five-year Operation Forest Vigil, photo-captures would result.

Because of this, to no small degree, most of the NAWAC membership harbored doubts or

skepticism regarding the permanent presence of an ape species inhabiting the region.

However, by the time the second group completed its scheduled week of observation and

documentation in June 2011, most in the NAWAC were stunned by the reports submitted

by returning field teams.

By the end of the fourth year of the Ouachita Project, there was no longer any debate within

the NAWAC regarding the possibility of an unlisted species in the Ouachita Mountain

Ecoregion; rather, discussions revolve around how to best obtain independently verifiable

evidence in the form of a type specimen so that formal description can take place and the real

work of conservation, preservation, and behavioral study can begin. With the rate at which

logging, fragmentation, conversion, and destruction of habitat are taking place, the matter of

formal description is urgent. Every year that passes without formal description is one more

year that the future of an undocumented but extant species of ape residing in the Ouachita

Mountain Ecoregion is left to chance. Indeed, given the fact that all known great ape species

are at risk of extinction, it is reasonable to postulate a similar status for the North American

wood ape (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, International Affairs, n.d.).

In the wake of four years and thousands of hours of persistent and often grueling field work,

resulting in what we believe to be significant and repeated observations, and despite those

observations remaining beyond the scope of independent verification for the time being, the

NAWAC concludes that a novel or relict species of anthropoid resides in the Ouachita

Mountain Ecoregion. Within the specific study area described in this report, the species is

represented by a small troop of animals, several of which have been repeatedly observed by

NAWAC members, and the troop is evidently producing young, as observed by the

NAWAC.

They document a lot of eyewitness sightings, but naturally, no actual photographs. Despite setting up lots of cameras, somehow BF avoids them all.

So then is this science? Does the data they collected prove anything?

[Taun]

There have been many reports of strange goings on in that part of Oklahoma for many years... I use to go camping down that way fairly frequently and I have also heard some strange noises at night...

Nothing strange enough to warrant me investigating them... just odd noises that could have come from a bear, or deer or even raccoon and perhaps got a strange echo effect...

If there are "wood apes" in the US, South-Eastern Oklahoma would be a fine place for them to hang out...

[Earl.Of.Trumps]

Let's assume there is NOT a BigFoot presence here. Still, something has to be done to find out exactly what it is that keeps making these unexplained evidences, including the presence of BF young. What causes this?

Some people in here truly believe that all these people in organizations such as the Ouachita Project, BFRO, and others, are just fakers trying to fool people and make money. and I think the exact opposite. Why, oh, why, would anyone spend years studying these evidences if they didn't feel that those evidences led to something? Not all people make money doing research on BF. In fact, most LOSE money, donating time and funding to buy things like cameras for traps, etc. So I tend to think these people are at least, sincere in their belief. My opinion.

[Sakari]

Let's assume there is NOT a BigFoot presence here. Still, something has to be done to find out exactly what it is that keeps making these unexplained evidences, including the presence of BF young. What causes this?

Some people in here truly believe that all these people in organizations such as the Ouachita Project, BFRO, and others, are just fakers trying to fool people and make money. and I think the exact opposite. Why, oh, why, would anyone spend years studying these evidences if they didn't feel that those evidences led to something? Not all people make money doing research on BF. In fact, most LOSE money, donating time and funding to buy things like cameras for traps, etc. So I tend to think these people are at least, sincere in their belief. My opinion.

Not fakers ( not all of them, most of the time )

Some of these people have wanted to believe so bad, that they do believe without any evidence. They will mistake sounds others would know ( and have known right next to them ), and deny it was anything mundane.

So, yes, they are sincere in their belief, but are far away from reality.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Sakari

[Goodnite]

If you want to believe, you will turn every little noise, every blurred glimpse into your belief. I've seriously searched the area of local reports and have found no evidence that proved anything.

[+DieChecker]

It is interesting regarding the thrown rocks, as they end up on the roof of the various buildings. Animals don't usually throw rocks, so unless it was a human, or BF, throwing rocks, how do the rocks get up on the roof?

[Paranormalcy]

My uncle had a few "Bigfooters" get stuff early in the morning at his restaurant a few years back here in Oklahoma, but I don't think they had found anything big at the time. When my mom worked at a bingo game, Seminole, OK (maybe), one night, about a dozen cars in the parking lot were flipped over, and someone claimed it was Bigfoot. Now we get weird weather, and I don't recall who if anyone ACTUALLY supposedly saw Bigfoot, but that was the story that settled in, because Bigfoot is like "And F* these cars too" I guess.

[Galego]

"​Reports of encounters with large upright hair-covered animals in North America, including the south-central region of the United States, have been around for centuries, both in the context of Native American culture and Euro-American settlers and their descendants. An ape-like species figures prominently in the cultures of many Native American tribes, particularly those tribes of areas similar in ecological and environmental nature to the Ouachita Mountain Ecoregion, that is, areas characterized by abundant rainfall, significant waterways and bodies of water, dense forest (upland pine and hardwood bottoms), and low human population densities."

Six pages into the report and they are already bull****ing us with the alleged pressence of bigfoot type creatures in Native American myths. Yet again, I have yet to find those legends in a non bigfoot related source.

[ChrLzs]

The North American Wood Ape Conservancy consists of serious researchers who carefully plan their approach and document their findings.

Well, that's certainly good enough for me!! Who needs published results, peer review, university professors or credible and experienced experts?

Four years of biased collection of anecdotes and apparently, making stuff up, just means .. 4 years of excrement in a pile - calling it 'doubtful news' is very kind.

[+DieChecker]

"​Reports of encounters with large upright hair-covered animals in North America, including the south-central region of the United States, have been around for centuries, both in the context of Native American culture and Euro-American settlers and their descendants. An ape-like species figures prominently in the cultures of many Native American tribes, particularly those tribes of areas similar in ecological and environmental nature to the Ouachita Mountain Ecoregion, that is, areas characterized by abundant rainfall, significant waterways and bodies of water, dense forest (upland pine and hardwood bottoms), and low human population densities."

Six pages into the report and they are already bull****ing us with the alleged pressence of bigfoot type creatures in Native American myths. Yet again, I have yet to find those legends in a non bigfoot related source.

Doubtless you'll not believe it, but many Native Americans have stated that their mythos does include a forest giant. It is not entirely made up. It is just that overly enthusiastic bigfoot hunters have gone and collected every name and story which might, possibly, ever so remotely, been inspired by bigfoot, and called those all bigfoot stories.

[+DieChecker]

Well, that's certainly good enough for me!! Who needs published results, peer review, university professors or credible and experienced experts?

Four years of biased collection of anecdotes and apparently, making stuff up, just means .. 4 years of excrement in a pile - calling it 'doubtful news' is very kind.

I think their data should be reviewed, and examined. Doubtless it can easily be torn up as to what is blatant bias and what might be reasonable stuff to review.

But I don't think university professors are a must for any scientific endeavor.

Edited January 23, 2016 by DieChecker

[Galego]

Doubtless you'll not believe it, but many Native Americans have stated that their mythos does include a forest giant. It is not entirely made up. It is just that overly enthusiastic bigfoot hunters have gone and collected every name and story which might, possibly, ever so remotely, been inspired by bigfoot, and called those all bigfoot stories.

I'm aware of the stories about forest giants. I just hate when people change other culture's beliefs to fit their own agenda.

[Galego]

I just finished reading the whole thing. It's entertaining, at least. But these people sound like children playing in the woods. Sounds terribly familiar. For a long time, I was convinced that something mysterious and probably supernatural inhabited the woods around my family's old house. And for a long time, I "played in the woods" to that notion. A few years back, after a prolonged absence from the place, I visited that region again. I did it with a clear and open mind, and critical thinking as my weapon. I solved in a couple of nights a mystery that lasted fifteen years.

I think these people believe in Wood Apes. And they want so badly to keep believing that they misinterpret every thing that happens around them out there. I don't believe they are hoaxers. I just think they are blinded by their own beliefs.

That's my opinion, at least. Of course, I could be wrong. And part of me wishes I am. The part of me that is still a little kid dreaming about wild frontiers and uncharted continents, wants really bad for a discovery of this magnitude. It will mean that there still is mystery and adventure out there. But sadly, I don't think so.

****. All this made me really nostalgic. I think I'm gonna re-read Conan Doyle's Lost World.

For anyone who is considering reading the report, take it for what it is. Non conclusive. And as I said, it's entertaining, although a bit dense.

Edited January 23, 2016 by Galego

[ChrLzs]

I think their data should be reviewed, and examined.

And why didn't they do that? Instead relying on their personal bias 'expertise'... I think their data should be ignored UNTIL they do the right thing. Personally I don't have time to waste chasing up stuff that comes from highly questionable sources. And when you add the word bigfoot in...

Why didn't THEY (or you) simply post their absolute best killer evidence? I'll tell you - all they have done is collect lots of stuff thinking quantity means something. It doesn't.

Doubtless it can easily be torn up as to what is blatant bias and what might be reasonable stuff to review.

Feel free to try to weed that out - bring the very best one back here and let's talk...

But I don't think university professors are a must for any scientific endeavor.

No, I agree with that - in fact some uni prof's are as loony as all hell - minds deteriorate, people cheat the system.... It's the COMBINATION of those research approaches that means something.

[Imaginarynumber1]

It is interesting regarding the thrown rocks, as they end up on the roof of the various buildings. Animals don't usually throw rocks, so unless it was a human, or BF, throwing rocks, how do the rocks get up on the roof?

Raccoon's carry things around. Many birds swallow stones to aid in breaking up food and can vomit them up.

And that's just two examples off the top of my head. No reason to assume bigfoot is the culprit when there are other, more likely, explanations.

[Reluctant Watcher]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but having a firm bias without first being open minded enough to consider the evidence is just dumb.

When I was 19 years old the local paper reported that a large man like being was seen in a local area of a state park. I believe my first words were, "What a bunch of crap".

But, I always force myself to be open minded. So I waited until October when the park would be empty. I knew the park well so I decided to go to the place in the park

that, if a large man like being really existed, it would be there. My thoughts were based on my primitive camping experience. I expected nothing but a nice walk in the woods.

When I got to the big rock out crop I suddenly froze. I can't explain the feeling. It was as if I was being warned off. I couldn't move forward. I heard nothing and saw nothing at this point.

Next thing I know 5 pound rocks went flying by in front of my face. I immediately thought it was some kids that were throwing the rocks but looking in the direction they came from on my left I could see nothing and no one. It was sparsely forested with no large trees. I could see 200 yards or more. I yelled at the "kids" to warn them that they were going to hurt someone. Next thing I know a 5 pound rock whizzed by my face at about a foot away. I still had not moved an inch since I first stopped. The next rock was even closer. I was frightened. So out load I said, "OK, OK, I am leaving."

It took every ounce of energy I had to turn around and start walking out. Every hair on my body was now standing straight up. I felt like someone was right up against my back. I walked out resisting the urge to run. My primal mind kept saying , RUN. But I also knew that running was not a good idea if there were animals around and running on a forest trail is just plan dangerous.

The feeling stopped when I got in my car. I looked back down the trail and saw nothing for several hundred yards. This was1973. I never heard of Big Foot. I knew there was something but I didn't know what.

Since then I have seen them numerous times. There is a group that lives in my area. I can't tell you the number of times I was growled at taking out the trash in the dark. One night I started mocking them. If they whistled, I whistled. Did that ever p*** them off. At least 3 times a week for the next 3 months "someone" would slap the side of my house so hard that the 3 foot standing jewelry box which weighs at least 60 pounds would jump off the floor. I never reacted but it always resulted in a 65 pound dog laying on my face. She was terrified. So, I tested this. I went out side in the daylight with the window open and hit the house as hard as I could several times and I could not make the jewelry box rattle.

I've seen them walking up the road in the morning. I ended up standing face to face 20 yards away with one. It froze, I froze, and I just looked at it.

So, what I'm saying is...it's OK not to be believe but try to be more open minded. The world is a fascinating place when you take time to look at it.

Big Foot just wants to be left alone. They don't even want you to know they exist. They are well aware that humans are ignorant and dangerous. The human rule: If it gives you fear...kill it.

What if they had the same mind frame??

Edited January 24, 2016 by Reluctant Watcher

[+DieChecker]

Raccoon's carry things around. Many birds swallow stones to aid in breaking up food and can vomit them up.

And that's just two examples off the top of my head. No reason to assume bigfoot is the culprit when there are other, more likely, explanations.

If you look at the actual "report" the stones appear (to me at least) to be way to big to have been carried by a bird, or a raccoon, or other small forest animal. That is why I found that part interesting.

Not that it proves anything, because unless there is a video of a bigfoot throwing rocks, and that same bigfoot is shot and killed (With rocks in his hand), then the rocks could have been put there by any human that came along... hikers, kids, even these "researchers".

[+DieChecker]

I think these people believe in Wood Apes. And they want so badly to keep believing that they misinterpret every thing that happens around them out there. I don't believe they are hoaxers. I just think they are blinded by their own beliefs.

You probably are right. The initiator of the project said he went looking for "non-bias" people to collect his data, but after four years of hanging out in the woods, trying to observe any data that might be bigfoot, it seems to me that it is inevitable that bias will creep into what is collected.

The wood knocks for one. Why would bigfoot use wood knocks, if the entirety of its existence relies on stealth?

[+DieChecker]

Feel free to try to weed that out - bring the very best one back here and let's talk...

I'll check it out.

Not that I'm trying to defend their report, but I'd like to see if I can find what their best piece of evidence is.

[NanaJoyce]

I recently bought a larger parcel of land in the Ouachita region of Oklahoma, and had not heard of the bigfoot connection before that. It is pretty remote, and we will be going there soon for an extended visit to plan our homestead. I'm wondering if I will have any sightings.

[+Hammerclaw]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but having a firm bias without first being open minded enough to consider the evidence is just dumb.

When I was 19 years old the local paper reported that a large man like being was seen in a local area of a state park. I believe my first words were, "What a bunch of crap".

But, I always force myself to be open minded. So I waited until October when the park would be empty. I knew the park well so I decided to go to the place in the park

that, if a large man like being really existed, it would be there. My thoughts were based on my primitive camping experience. I expected nothing but a nice walk in the woods.

When I got to the big rock out crop I suddenly froze. I can't explain the feeling. It was as if I was being warned off. I couldn't move forward. I heard nothing and saw nothing at this point.

Next thing I know 5 pound rocks went flying by in front of my face. I immediately thought it was some kids that were throwing the rocks but looking in the direction they came from on my left I could see nothing and no one. It was sparsely forested with no large trees. I could see 200 yards or more. I yelled at the "kids" to warn them that they were going to hurt someone. Next thing I know a 5 pound rock whizzed by my face at about a foot away. I still had not moved an inch since I first stopped. The next rock was even closer. I was frightened. So out load I said, "OK, OK, I am leaving."

It took every ounce of energy I had to turn around and start walking out. Every hair on my body was now standing straight up. I felt like someone was right up against my back. I walked out resisting the urge to run. My primal mind kept saying , RUN. But I also knew that running was not a good idea if there were animals around and running on a forest trail is just plan dangerous.

The feeling stopped when I got in my car. I looked back down the trail and saw nothing for several hundred yards. This was1973. I never heard of Big Foot. I knew there was something but I didn't know what.

Since then I have seen them numerous times. There is a group that lives in my area. I can't tell you the number of times I was growled at taking out the trash in the dark. One night I started mocking them. If they whistled, I whistled. Did that ever p*** them off. At least 3 times a week for the next 3 months "someone" would slap the side of my house so hard that the 3 foot standing jewelry box which weighs at least 60 pounds would jump off the floor. I never reacted but it always resulted in a 65 pound dog laying on my face. She was terrified. So, I tested this. I went out side in the daylight with the window open and hit the house as hard as I could several times and I could not make the jewelry box rattle.

I've seen them walking up the road in the morning. I ended up standing face to face 20 yards away with one. It froze, I froze, and I just looked at it.

So, what I'm saying is...it's OK not to be believe but try to be more open minded. The world is a fascinating place when you take time to look at it.

Big Foot just wants to be left alone. They don't even want you to know they exist. They are well aware that humans are ignorant and dangerous. The human rule: If it gives you fear...kill it.

What if they had the same mind frame??

Oh, we're all very open minded here, but not empty headed. If you have any kind of evidence other than anecdotal or the easily fabricated variety we'd be more than happy to examine it.

[Earl.Of.Trumps]

Well, that's certainly good enough for me!! Who needs published results, peer review, university professors or credible and experienced experts?

Four years of biased collection of anecdotes and apparently, making stuff up, just means .. 4 years of excrement in a pile - calling it 'doubtful news' is very kind.

Well, that's certainly good enough for me!! Who needs published results, peer review, university professors or credible and experienced experts?

Four years of biased collection of anecdotes and apparently, making stuff up, just means .. 4 years of excrement in a pile - calling it 'doubtful news' is very kind.

This is the kettle calling the pot black - at best!

The UFO incident in Australia seen by many school children, and just having its 50th anniversary... you said it was a WEATHER BALLOON, and is your usual modus operatus, you showed NO LINK to back up your outlandish claim.

The Battle of LA that saw the US army fire 1,400 rounds of anti aircraft shells at a UFO that you claimed was a WEATHER BALLOON...

Are you supposed to get an exemption from linking or something?

[+Hammerclaw]

This is the kettle calling the pot black - at best!

The UFO incident in Australia seen by many school children, and just having its 50th anniversary... you said it was a WEATHER BALLOON, and is your usual modus operatus, you showed NO LINK to back up your outlandish claim.

The Battle of LA that saw the US army fire 1,400 rounds of anti aircraft shells at a UFO that you claimed was a WEATHER BALLOON...

Are you supposed to get an exemption from linking or something?

One things for certain; it's ancient history, like most of UFOlogy, today.

[+DieChecker]

I recently bought a larger parcel of land in the Ouachita region of Oklahoma, and had not heard of the bigfoot connection before that. It is pretty remote, and we will be going there soon for an extended visit to plan our homestead. I'm wondering if I will have any sightings.

Get a trail camera and put it out just in case. At the worst you can post some pictures of deer and other wildlife. :tu:

[ChrLzs]

Offtopic garbage, as usual from Earl.. but I'll just correct the 'untruths'...

The UFO incident in Australia seen by many school children, and just having its 50th anniversary... you said it was a WEATHER BALLOON, and is your usual modus operatus, you showed NO LINK to back up your outlandish claim.

It's a great pity that amongst Earl of Trump's various tactics, he hasn't learnt to read (these links have been given previously), and he continues to gullibly listen to ludicrously exaggerated and completely false media reports/tinfoilhat website info, and then chinese whispers them onwards...

So, here are just TWO of the many reports that falsify his garbage, and because Earl will NOT visit them, I'll quote the information..:

From http://www.heraldsun...9f19327eb1c23fc

..The HIBAL program was a joint US-Australian initiative to monitor atmospheric radiation levels using large silver balloons equipped with sensors between 1960 and 1969. Documents held by the National Archives and former Department of Supply indicate one test balloon launched from Mildura may have been blown off course and came down in Clayton South in a paddock near Westall High School...

Also, from https://en.wikipedia...iki/Westall_UFO

The Weather Bureau released a balloon at Laverton at 8:30 am and the westerly wind blowing at the time could have moved it into the area where the sighting was reported

TWO candidate weather balloons.....

This case was comprehensively covered at another forum, starting here, and there are several threads here at UM, like this, that Earl selectively reads.. Two interesting and oft-repeated aspects are completely false:

- 200 witnesses?? - there were actually ten or so at most, and only a few adults within that

- a girl vanished? - someone reported the disappearance of a witness (Tanya).. but she and family had simply moved to another district..

Anyway IF Earl has some new contrary info on any other topics, he should dam well take it to the thread where it belongs....