Most people here don’t know me from any other newbie so I will give you a little back ground information before you wade through this very long post.

I have been bigfooting for over 30 years. It’s a personal pursuit, quite a solitary part of my life. I like it that way. I have not shared any of my experiences other than anecdotally a very few times. I have not read any of the books, seen the movies or partaken in web sites, forums or conferences prior to March of this year when I became curious as to what other people know and are doing.

Many of the things I know and have learned have not been tainted or enhanced by the observations or experiences of others. I have missed the boat on many instances and have developed completely different theories on others. I have searched this particular observation on the popular web sites and this forum, I have asked a moderator here on the BFF for help in searching the archives a few months ago. Nothing was found. I have not found another reference to tree knocking as a method of food procurement.

I will answer any and all questions you may have, but on some days I may not check the thread until evening so be patient. I have no empirical evidence from the incident. No photos, plaster casts, collaborating witness or hair, just my observations and testimonial evidence. It is what it is, take it as you will.


September 23rd 1999. Sunny, low 70’s, a fresh steady fall breeze, approximately 3:00 pm, Adirondack State Park in the town of Whitehall N.Y. within 5 miles of the location of the infamous “Thumping in Whitehall” thread. I was bird watching for migrating Raptors along the western facing ridges of a favorite Mountain top. I was about 300 feet below the summit on the top of the cliffs. The idea is to watch the migrating raptors, local red tails and vultures catch the late afternoon thermals rising from the forest floor and with the right wind direction hitting the rock face of the ridge the birds will “pop” up within 20 feet of the edge of the cliff for some close and spectacular views. It was a great day and I was absorbed with the acrobatics in front of me.

Note: I believe my scent must have been carried behind me to the area that the sighting occurred because the breeze was steady into my face for a few hours prior. I had to have been scented.

My attention was focused in front of me and out into the sky for a mile. After the sighting I theorized that the sounds I heard behind me for 10 or 15 minutes prior were not hikers as I thought. The sounds were relatively benign sounds you would hear from a hiker clumsily approaching. Branches snapping, rocks “gently” clicking, rolling or moving as they are walked upon. About 5 or 6 instances of sounds were heard. Since I was not paying close attention I can only theorize this and if that is true the animal was closer to me at that point, perhaps 20 yards. When the sighting took place these types of ancillary sounds could not be heard due to the distance and interference of other sounds produced by the breeze itself and wind rustled leaves. But based on the observed movements I believe sounds were being made.

I heard a clear loud single “whack” not unusual in it’s self but my instinctual reaction was not that of being annoyed by another human invading my peace, but a feeling of concern. I was already sitting between 2 large rocks concealing my profile from the birds so I turned around and watched and listened. There was movement 90 yards distance, as determined by my 20x spotting scope. The woods were too shadowed for good light transmission to use my 20x60 spotting scope and I could not manage the attached tripod with out chancing excessive noise. I did gain a good focus at the point of movement and left the scope in that position and viewed it on a local football field on the way home to determine the point of focus. (after duct taping the focus ring in place prior to the hike down the mountain.)

I switched to my very bright 10x50 binoculars. The sun was to my back, the forest foliage was thick with approximately 70% deciduous trees, ground cover was sparse to non existent but the rise in the terrain caused the foliage of the trees in the forefront to partially obscure my view, the shadows were strong.

This is what I saw. Initially I saw a large upright animal dark in color approximately 6.5 feet in height, extremely wide in the shoulders and narrow in the waist with thighs that appeared very large in proportion to the body. It’s arms were relaxed at its side and long beyond the knees. My observation lasted about 10 minutes and the remainder of the time the arms did not again relax to be at the side but were held in front or active in whacking the tree. My impression or gut feeling was that of a young, robust, agile animal. It was fur covered but shadows and obstructions were too heavy to allow me to see too much detail. I determined the 6.5 foot height by measuring a glacially cleaved rock with a flat face that the animal was next to that later measured 3 feet and 3 inches. I “eye balled” the animal to be twice as tall as the rock. I estimated the weight to be 400+ lbs. I was 5’10 and 220 muscular lbs. at the time and it was easily twice the mass as I was. Through out the sighting it was mostly moving and active with it’s back to me and facing uphill so details of hair length, facial features were not obvious. And, I actually quite interested and focused on it’s behavior. I'm more an amateur behaviorist than a taxonomist .

I will summarize what happened next. The animal held a large stick in it’s right hand (paw ?) and hit a tree in front of it (up hill) very hard. The tree was about 14 inches in diameter and the animal swung the stick with all arm, no body twisting. It stopped and looked up the tree waiting about 2 minutes and then hit the tree again. This time quickly moving to the next tree about 6 inches in diameter and vigorously shook the tree. It was then that I saw there was an animal in the tree acting quite frantic as it tried to climb higher in the tree but was knocked loose by the shaking and fell about 5 feet and was able to grab another branch. It then made a drastic jump back to the original tree which was immediately whacked again 1 time. I realized it was a raccoon as it jumped back to the 2nd tree which was immediately shook again. The raccoon fell to the ground in a manner that was partially behind the larger tree. There was some rapid movement and the animal stooped and somewhat scooted or shuffled in a squatting position a few feet behind the tree and stopped. I couldn’t see if the raccoon was grabbed as it fell or whacked with the stick but there was little movement for almost 5 minutes as the animal remained in a squatting position. It then stood up and walked into a tighter stand of trees that made it even more difficult to see as it steadily moved south parallel to the ridge line and disappeared into the distance. I waited 20 minutes and approached the area. I didn’t find the stick used to hit the trees and I didn’t see it carried away, but it could have been and I didn’t see it. I did find the right hind foot of the raccoon and ¾ of the tail along with a patch of fur about 2x3 inches in size that I believe came from the top of the raccoons head. That’s all I found. The ground was hard and very rocky, there is not much substrate suitable for holding impressions but I did see some scuff marks that were made. I did look for hairs although quickly as I felt compelled to leave.

I felt in danger to a small degree, but only to the extent one feels in danger in the presence of something massive that could be destructive. Like standing 10 feet from a passing train, no outward threat or escalating danger as long as no one moves. That’s what it felt like. I have been back a number of times … but with my shorty 12 ga. pump in my pack.

Additionally, I did not hear or see any people in the woods that day where I was for approximately 8 hours. Which is precisely why I like this area. There had been minor traffic on the access road 1 mile away during the day as evidenced by “car” sounds. I believe I was the only person actually “in the woods” that day for at least 2 miles in all directions. During the time of the sighting I heard no other sounds from the animal. No calling, walking sounds, grunting, raccoon squealing, limb breaking. No unusual smells. At one point as the animal was squatting partially hidden behind the tree. It abruptly stopped and leaned back to look directly at me for about 3 seconds. Then resumed what it was doing. I am certain that it scented me at that time, I slowly checked wind direction with the “lick the finger method” and it was right on for delivering my scent. In case everyone doesn’t know. Put your index finger in your moth getting the tip wet and hold it up, the side that feels cool as the breeze evaporates the saliva will be the direction the wind is coming from. Rudimentary but effective. At no time did the animal walk on all fours, actually it appeared cumbersome at the point that it moved while close to the ground ie. stooped, scooted, shuffled. It was definitely “built” for 2 feet and it did have a general humanesque (my own word) nature about it’s movements as apposed to a great ape. I have not misspoken concerning my use of 10x50 binoculars and not seeing greater detail in the animal, that is accurate. The shadows, foliage and 90 yards of tree trunks in this healthy forest prevented me from seeing detail.

As a personal opinion I would characterize it’s movements as smooth, deliberate, efficient, powerful and balanced as beautiful an example of a survivor as nature has to offer. I was in awe.

Before you even ask. It was not a bear, I’ve seen many and it was not a bear. It was not a human, I’ve seen a lot of them too, even 7 foot tall ones and it was not a human.



Thank you for your time. I have made this such a long post as to give you as much information as possible and maybe answer the more obvious questions thereby facilitating more detailed questions.


Bigfootie

Was this your first encounter? and can you tell me if it walks heel toe or toe heel. I have allways been curious of that.

Thank you

Boss,

Wow! Great post, Bigfootie. Very intriguing!

Cool story Bigfootie! Good attention to detail too. So BF eats Raccoons? I wonder how many BFs have gotten Rabies from this? Raccoons are tough customers man I wouldn't want to tangle with one barehanded!

Awh, its nice to hear a different perspective on wood knocking. It certainly makes sense to me.

Also glad that you aren't blinded by the so called "experts" opinions.

A several years ago I decided to take up coyote hunting. I studied all I could for a summer just waiting for prime winter fur. One thing I remember the "experts" writing about is that a coyote will "NEVER" jump over a barbed wire fence. First full moon that I'm out calling, guess what happens? You guessed it.., them darned coyotes jumped OVER a 4 strand barbed wire fence!! All four of them did!!!

Ever since then I have taken with a grain of salt anything MOST of the so called "experts" have to say about anything.

Good sighting report Bigfootie! I appreciate you putting all the details in the report.

:clap: Yes! A good report. Nicely done.

Thats whay there is no such thing as "experts" in the Field of Bigfoot.












Belle

BeansBaxter,

Your right, years ago I worked for the NYS Health dept. and for a summer I had to draw blood from every "live" animal I could catch in the Adirondacks. Martin, fisher, skunk, bobcat, fox, coyote, otter to name a few. My directive was not to cause harm to any of them. By far the raccoons were the most ferocious and would never ever give up and lie still. No matter what the sedative. They really scared me.

Bigfootie

Great Post! And, thank you for taking the time to "bring it to life" for us.

And what you say is logically sound. How else is a monkey too big for climbing going to get what's up in the tree? Not to mention that you make it sound like the racoon was easy pickings using this method.

(Makes me want to try it, but I won't!)

Boss,

My observation was of walking heal to toe. The movement I witnessed was all slightly to steeply uphill. This was not my first "encounter".

Bigfootie

I'll ask the obvious, could you tell us about the other encounter(s)?

Nice detail..great to see someone taking to heart the idea of filling in the blanks ahead of time.
May have some questions later on after looking it over, but again, good post.
(edited for spelling)

Great post Bigfootie! I can't wait to hear of your other encounter!

Yet you contradict this statement, later in the post:



Can you explain?


About the 'racoon'...





If the "shadows, foliage and 90 yards of tree trunks in this healthy forest" prevented you from seeing detail, and therefore details on hair length and facial features were not obvious, then how is it you were able to identify the animal in the tree as a racoon?



Again, if shadows, foliage, and 90 yards of tree trunks kept you from seeing detail, how do you know the animal in the tree was even a racoon to begin with?

That's all the questions for now. More to come.

Volsquatch,

Sorry, I don't see the contradiction. I must be misunderstanding something.

"Through out the sighting it was mostly moving and active with it’s back to me and facing uphill ..." Moving as in it's body was being repositioned while in an upright position. Active as in busy doing something for approximately 5 minutes as it squatting (asuming it was eating the raccoon).

And

"At one point as the animal was squatting partially hidden behind the tree. It abruptly stopped and leaned back ..." Stopped as in stopped what it was doing and looked at me. While I did not see it's eyes lock on me ... I did observe it leaning back and it's broad shoulders slightly turn in my direction as it stopped dead still. Imagine sitting on a bleachers with 100 people and your number 1 ... and number 100 leans back and looks your way. you may not be able to identify him but I think you would be sure he was looking at you.

Then

" ... and therefore details on hair length and facial features were not obvious, then how is it you were able to identify the animal in the tree as a racoon? ..."

The raccoon was large, much larger than facial features or hair length. It was free and moving, climbing and jumping. It's movements, size and climbing skills said raccoon. If it was waddling along a pond under similar sight conditions I would have thought beaver or raccoon. But it was jumping from tree to tree.

Volsquatch,

I hope my answer was sufficient. I'm sure you will let me know if it wasn't

Bigfootie

Nicely written. One question: Did you consider having the remains of the raccoon tested for possible DNA residue? Thanks.

Erectus,

No I didn't. I was certain and satisfied as to what I saw and did not feel compelled to prove anything to anyone. Quite the opposite, I didn't want anyone to know. You Erectus are among the first people I have ever told this to.

I have a different view now. I see the bigger picture and feel part of a larger effort. I do indeed have a DNA lab picked out that is even located about 30 miles away, here in Upstate NY. They specialize in primate DNA analysis for the worlds zoos and research efforts.

I can supply the link if you like.

Bigfootie

Bonsoir Bigfootie!


Does the location where your sighting took place is near the Qc border?

merci

Le B.

Doesn't it seem odd that it took you this long to post this incredible encounter even after posting so heavily in the Thumping in Whitehall post? You didn't mention this once in that thread and it even sounded like you met with other researchers in the area but it didn't sound like you mentioned it to them otherwise DKT wouldn't have tried to answer back with a tree knock since it's not used for communication.

I realize you like to keep to yourself but this encounter would be kind of hard to keep under your hat for the 4 months that you've been a member here.

Is it me or are we having a rash of DKT followers posting incredible sightings?

Do DKT's followers (the Bigfoot community not his ministry) even know his real name?

That's what I thought he meant too Vol.

Nice post BigFootie. I don't know if anyone has actually "seen" wood knocking and it's always been thought to have been a form of communication from what I've been told and have read. You've opened up a possibility for the wood knocking that makes as much sense as anything else.

Like the others, I'd really like to hear about your other encounter(s) too.

Teresa

Volsquatch, I believe he is trying to say he saw the BF in silhouette. It is possible to see a person or animal from a distance and be able to tell what it is doing without being able to count it's nosehairs.

Erectus,

Here is the link. DNA testing for exotic animals.

www.theriondna.com

About 50 miles from the sighting. Next time it will still be warm when I get it there.

Bigfootie

Been reading up on this fellow ....

Makes me wonder "who runs Bartertown"

All I'm seeing is that "Masterblaster runs Bartertown" and he plasters NESRA banners all over BFF.

M

I forgot to ask you binocular junkies out there what kind of detail could you make out from a person at 90 yards with 10X50 binoculars? It seems like you could get some great detail... am I right?

I guess I should have that damn thread... all of it... I was trying not to read it..:rolleyes:


Jim Jones?




I think that they do.... Cut


belle

Well crud, this one looks like it's headed for the BFF circular file too.

curse words...(yosemite sam style...racka frassin, etc.)

Crud is right....... Oh man..... :doh:

Did Vol ask you Beans?


Were you there?

M

Jim Jones is not far off the mark....

So can I have the cholocate chip kind....

Do tell NW. I need the 411 because I obviously had a flat on the information highway.

No nobody asked me. I'm pretty sure they didn't ask you either. I'm not defending or condeming Bigfootie he can do that himself. I'm just trying to point out something that was obvious to me. If you don't like it you can just skim over the post and let Vol take care of it later if he so wishes.

Just don't drink the kool-aid!

The contradiction arose when you pronounced "throughout the sighting...with it’s back to me...details of hair length, facial features were not obvious", and then went on to say "It abruptly stopped and leaned back to look directly at me for about 3 seconds."



So you were able to see it's eyes, but did not see them lock upon you specifically? How could you tell if you were seeing the face, or the back of the head? If it was the face, what details did you see that lead you to that conclusion?



Sounds like a plausible inference, but was this the same racoon of which you found the remains? If so, then how can you be certain?

Posted heavily ? this post right here makes 49 for me in almost 5 months.

The Thumping in Whitehall thread was someone elses thread and I used it to test the waters. This thread is mine and I wanted to present it properly so that I and the sighting would be respected.

You ask ... "Doesn't it seem odd that it took you this long to post this incredible encounter even after posting so heavily in the Thumping in Whitehall post? "

This sighting is almost 6 years old to me, 5 more months was nothing to wait. The sighting is no longer "incredible" to me ... just to someone that is reading it for the first time.

" ... it even sounded like you met with other researchers in the area but it didn't sound like you mentioned it to them otherwise DKT wouldn't have tried to answer back with a tree knock since it's not used for communication. ..."

I met DTK and Bigdaddy in a parking lot for an hour to see other real live bigfooters for the first time. I was not there to fill them in on all that I know or believe.

... "I realize you like to keep to yourself but this encounter would be kind of hard to keep under your hat for the 4 months that you've been a member here."

Not for me. I wasn't sure if I liked the people here. Now I'm sure.


... "Is it me or are we having a rash of DKT followers posting incredible sightings?..."

I'm no more a DTK "follower" than I am a "cut4sign" follower because I followed you tracking thread closer than any other. I belong no more to NESRA than I do BFF, BFD, BFRO, GCBFRO, Oregon BF ... or any of the other forums that I have joined or websites that I regularly visit.

That comment was needlessly rude and has nothing to do with my posting. And, no I don't know DTK's real name or your's for that matter, and I don't care. I do know that DTK treated me kindly when I met him and you taught me much through your tracking thread. Thats all I need.


Bigfootie

Was it that little blue car I passed awhile back... it seems I had a flat too!


Belle

check your email, T
And Belle...

I'm glad that Bigfootie is able to channel through you and relay this information, but at the moment, I'm not really interested in your take on it.

That kind of mail, I throw out.......

here we go again. This thing could go south in a hurry :poke:

that was me! I'm all "infoed up" now.

I've noticed this as well.

DTK and the other members of NESRA flatly deny that he is their leader. So far, his participation in this forum has shown otherwise.

Hey, BigFootie! Nice post. Very interesting to say the least. Having perused the boards here, I'm sure you've noticed that these type of encounters get run through the ringer quite harshly at times. Be careful not to get caught up in the ego wars. It's easy to do. I must say, you seem to be handling yourself quite well so far. Having said that, I have a question for you. You've apparently had more than one encounter. Have you been able to collect any physical evidence that backs up what you have seen? If so, are you able to share it with us? Thanks.

I guess I should apologize a bit here. First, I’ve been away from this forum for a while so I haven’t been up to speed on everything so I didn’t realize DKT had such a “Lock the Thread” cloud over him. I read more of the JVD’s thread and realize now that it’s a touchy subject.

Second, I think I jumped too soon onto Bigfootie. The first thing I do when I see a new post like this is to read all the post that person had posted especially their first ones. It helps me see what kind of person they are and their intentions. I saw a connection to DKT and that’s what made me think it’s yet another “follower” trying to help advertise for NESRA's sight.

So…. I apologize Bigfootie and my name is Dave. It’s not such a big secret anyway. I’d be willing to tell you more about myself but it would have to be through PM because there are too many Wako’s in this Forum

Very classy IMO Not that my opinion means anything but its mine ;-)

I appreciate your willingness to answer any and all questions concerning this encounter, BigFootie. Here is another: If, indeed, tree "knocking" is to aid in food procurement; what purpose,in your opinion, would it actually serve? Let me clarify. Understandably, "shaking" a small diameter tree, like one of the two in question during this encounter, could serve to dislodge the prey from its perch. What I question is how thumping a large tree (such as the 2nd tree with the 14 inch diameter) with a stick would work in extracting prey.... a raccoon, in particular. Having spent many nights in the woods with hounds hunting raccoons, and observing their behavior when "treed", it is my observation that they will avoid jumping or falling out of the tree, come hell or high water. Only four methods have I ever seen work well: 1. shooting them out. 2. Climbing the tree (with a stick) and "punching" or "twisting" them out. 3. "smoking" them out by setting the tree on fire. 4. "squalling" them out by imitating their distress call. What is your take? Thanks.

Volsquatch,

Ok, I get the question now. Thank you for the clarification.

"So you were able to see it's eyes, but did not see them lock upon you specifically? How could you tell if you were seeing the face, or the back of the head? If it was the face, what details did you see that lead you to that conclusion?"

Sorry, I was being sarcastic when I said “While I did not see it's eyes lock on me ...” I did not mean to infer that I saw the eyes but failed to see the locking mechanism.

While I did not see “details” I could tell the front from the back of the animal. I could distinguish the head from shoulders and when I said it looked at me that is because the back of the head was more sloped to the base and the front (face) was flatter. I saw the shoulders turn and the flatter portion of the head face me. Could it have been looking 11 degrees to my side, sure … but do I believe it looked at me directly. You bet I do. You had to be there.


... "Sounds like a plausible inference, but was this the same racoon of which you found the remains? If so, then how can you be certain?"

Well quite literally the pieces were still bloody and fresh. I suppose that they could have been the remains of "another" raccoon that was killed just prior to my sighting. But in the fall raccoons are more solitary and I only saw one raccoon and I saw it fall in that general area ... within 10 feet. In the spring, sure a little raccoon family massacre could have been possible with the killer showing up to the feeding tree for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was September and I do believe the raccoon in the tree is the same one in pieces on the ground.


Bigfootie
(it's 12:30 am here in NY, I'm going to bed)