Bigfoot Forums > Questionable Bfro Report, Wise Va

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Volsquatch

Jul 29 2005, 05:25 PM

I've read over this report several times now, and I cannot understand why it is posted on the BFRO database as a potential bigfoot sighting, much less considered a "Class A" report. I see nothing to indicate that the person may have seen a bigfoot creature.

Here's the report:

QUOTE

Report # 8439 (Class A)
Submitted by witness on Saturday, April 03, 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hunter glimpses upright figure near High Knob
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YEAR: 1993

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: September

STATE: Virginia

COUNTY: Wise County

LOCATION DETAILS: get on us23 get off on the first exit in Norton turn right you will be on highknob road stay on that road until you get to the top of the mountain you will pass a left hand turn to the towers and recreation lake staying on the same road go till you come to a fork in the road. The fork to the left is still a paved road stay on it you will go about another mile you will pass some very large rocks on the right it is called camp rock you will start up a steep hill then the pavement stops and it turns to a dirt road stop at the first gate on the left. this the place.

NEAREST TOWN: city of Norton VA.

NEAREST ROAD: High Knob road/nearesthighwayus23

OBSERVED: It was in September of 1993 my younger brother and I went squirrel hunting, and also a little preseason deer scouting before bow season came in. It was the first year my brother was going to be bow hunting with me. So we went up to High Knob, in an area where me and my uncle had bow hunted the year before. Except this year I wanted to go farther down in the woods than I had ever been before. In this area there were two fields, which I had hunted the upper field before in the previous year, and there was a second field which my uncle had hunted also in the previous year. Which I had been to the second field, but that was about as far as I had been. So since my brother hadn't been in the area before I told him to hunt above the fields, so he wouldn't get lost, and I told him that I would be directly in behind the second field, and I told him that my uncle had mentioned a water hole down below the second field and it was a very swampy place. I told my brother if he had went to far that he would be below me and would have to come back. I told him to be careful and I would see him later. We both had a 12 gauge shotgun with six shot that we where hunting squirrels with that day. So I scouted around for a while looking for deer sign and listening for squirrels in the trees. Then I found a place to sit down, after sitting there for quite a while. It was starting to get late and the sun was going down and the shade from the leaves on the trees was casting shadows in the woods. I was getting ready to get up and leave when something caught my eye. I saw something step out from behind a tree. It was about 70 to 100 yds away and it was dark in color, but it had it's back to me and it was in the shadow of the trees. The first thing I noticed that it had a broad back and wide shoulders. The first thing that came into my mind was that it was my brother because he is like me. We are both big guys I am 6'4" and he is 6'3" and we both weighed about 270 to 300 pounds at that time. So I whistled at it several times with no response. It didn't turn to look my way. So I yelled my brothers name still thinking it was my brother still no response. It still didn't look my way, but it started walking away from me. It took about six to eight steps and then stepped in behind a very large tree. Then I heard a thumping sound like someone kicking a tree. So still thinking this was my brother I got up and starting walking toward the direction I had seen it last. After taking a few steps I heard a stick break directly behind me. I turned and looked immediately behind me and it was my brother. So I turned and started walking toward my brother. When I got to him the first thing he asked me was what was wrong. He said you are as white as a sheet. I asked him if he had been walking down below me and he said "NO."I explained that there was someone or something as big or bigger than we where walking around below me and it wouldn't respond to my whistles or yelling. So he said "Let's get out of here!!" So we hurried back to my truck. Then I told my brother lets ride up and down the road above and below the area we had hunted to see if we could see anyone or any vehicles in the area. So we did hoping to ease my mind but we found no other vehicles or anyone else in the area. So to this day I don't know what it was I saw that day, and I don't plan on hunting the area again. One other thing comes to mind I don't remember seeing what ever it was I saw carrying a gun, and if it was another hunter why didn't he acknowledge me. I have hunted since I was 12 years old and when ever I have come in contact with any hunters or anyone they have always waved at me or whistled or spoke to me to let me know where they are. This encounter will always stick in my mind and will always live with me forever. Was it a hunter or something unexplained that I saw that day.

ALSO NOTICED: not that I know of.

OTHER WITNESSES: One witness me my brother was there but he didn't see anything. I was hunting.

OTHER STORIES: One of my fellow coworkers said he was deer hunting about 8 to 10 miles away from where I had my encounter.On osbourne ridge said he saw something 7'to 8'tall with hair all over its body and he watched it for some time he said he saw it big feet an all.He said something was up there I don't think he hunts anymore.In November 2002 another coworkers husband and his cousin where driving across the knob it was at night and he told me that a bigfoot had crossed the road in front of him .He said that it had hair all over its body and it was around 7'tall and he noticed long hair hanging from the back of its hands it scared him pretty bad I don't think he hunts highknob anymore it was also near osborne ridge.In June of 2003 me and my family went to Flag Rock on Highknob as we started to the over look we heard four strange screams in the thick woods below us my wife asked me what it was I told her I didn't know and we left the area immediately...

TIME AND CONDITIONS: It was late in the evening around 6:30 to 7:00PM but it wasn't completely dark.It was a sunny around 65 degrees during the day.

ENVIRONMENT: It had pretty open woods with the two small fields with large trees behind the second field but they have clear cut the area since my sighting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator DB Donlon:

During our phone conversation, the witness spoke extensively about his sighting. He was able to add some details to his account of what happened:

Dusk had fallen and the shadows were deep, which made seeing much of the figure at that distance (70yds or more) difficult. He could not make out its hands, for instance. His assumption was immediately that it was his little brother, but he was puzzled that the figure didn't respond to his whistle and call. Then he realized whatever it was it wasn't carrying anything, like a gun for instance. It also had a uniform color, which he described as either dark brown or black. He noted that the figure picked up its pace after his whistle and call. It didn't run , but it did move more quickly and straight toward the nearest tree. Once it got in behind the foliage there was one "thud" like something striking a tree.

The witness had only moved about 20 yards when he heard his brother. At that point he began to suspect he hadn't seen a person and the two of them chose to leave immediately rather than check it out.

One new detail the witness was able to recall was that the head was rounded. He confirmed that he could see no ears, as he would have had it been a bear. He also confirmed that it walked bipedally during the entire sighting, which lasted a total of ten to fifteen seconds.

The witness estimated the creature's size to be somewhere around six and a half feet tall and upwards of 400 lbs.

I asked him where the creature could have been going, and he mentioned that there was a water hole in the general area that it entered. The area of this sighting has been host to several others as well.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About BFRO Investigator DB Donlon:

DB Donlon is a former educator living in VA.

In the initial report, the witness describes seeing the figure:

QUOTE

"I saw something step out from behind a tree. It was about 70 to 100 yds away and it was dark in color, but it had it's back to me and it was in the shadow of the trees. The first thing I noticed that it had a broad back and wide shoulders. The first thing that came into my mind was that it was my brother because he is like me. We are both big guys I am 6'4" and he is 6'3" and we both weighed about 270 to 300 pounds at that time. So I whistled at it several times with no response. It didn't turn to look my way. So I yelled my brothers name still thinking it was my brother still no response. It still didn't look my way, but it started walking away from me. It took about six to eight steps and then stepped in behind a very large tree. Then I heard a thumping sound like someone kicking a tree. So still thinking this was my brother I got up and starting walking toward the direction I had seen it last. After taking a few steps I heard a stick break directly behind me. I turned and looked immediately behind me and it was my brother."

Then, in the follow-up interview with the BFRO investigator "DB Donlon", the witness says something different:

QUOTE

"Dusk had fallen and the shadows were deep, which made seeing much of the figure at that distance (70yds or more) difficult. He could not make out its hands, for instance. His assumption was immediately that it was his little brother, but he was puzzled that the figure didn't respond to his whistle and call. Then he realized whatever it was it wasn't carrying anything, like a gun for instance. It also had a uniform color, which he described as either dark brown or black. He noted that the figure picked up its pace after his whistle and call. It didn't run , but it did move more quickly and straight toward the nearest tree. Once it got in behind the foliage there was one "thud" like something striking a tree.

In the initial reprt, the witness plainly states that after the figure stepped behind a tree, he still thought it was his brother, and started walking in the direction he had seen it last. Then, magically, in the follow-up report with investigator "DB Donlon", the witnesses story changes to "Then he realized whatever it was it wasn't carrying anything, like a gun for instance. It also had a uniform color, which he described as either dark brown or black. He noted that the figure picked up its pace after his whistle and call. It didn't run , but it did move more quickly and straight toward the nearest tree. Once it got in behind the foliage there was one "thud" like something striking a tree". So was his brother also uniformly brown or black in color? The figure wasn't carrying a gun, but wasn't his brother hunting that day, and wouldn't he have been carrying a gun?(After all, they were hunting, and the witness did tell his brother to "hunt above the fields"). Yet, in the initial report, the witness still thought it was his brother after the figure stepped behind the tree. How could that be if in the follow-up report with this "DB Donlon", the witness describes the figure as something that wouldn't have described his brother? This is an obvious discrepency between the two reports.

Where's the objectivity by the investigator here? How on Earth could this story be considered a "Class A" report? Personally, after I heard the obvious discrepency by the witness in the follow-up report, the entire report would have went into the "seriously questionable" file, and not placed on the database as a "Class A" report.

Just because someone sees a dark, bipedal, "upright figure" at a distance, is that grounds to connect this in any way with a bigfoot type creature? If so, then class "A" sightings must be happening all over the place, all the time. Too bad everybody in Virginia that sees a dark, unidentified, bipedal somethingorother from a distance doesn't report it to the BFRO, because if they did, then the database would be absolutely 'busting at the seems' with class "A" reports.

BTW, I've been to High Knob and the Flag Rock recreation area MANY times hiking, picnicking, and rock climbing. I've never seen anything BF related myself, take that for what it's worth. I'm planning on doing my own investigation into some of the details of this report, and check out a few facts about the hunting seasons and regulations. I'm also planning on checking out the area again in person, by following the directions given out by the witness.

dbdonlon

Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

Volsquatch

Jul 29 2005, 05:35 PM

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 30 2005, 05:27 AM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

Well for starters, why don't you take the initiative to explain why you posted such a questionable report to the database, and more importantly, why you considered it a "Class A"?

Or, you could do nothing and just sweep it under the rug. That's your initiative, you know.

dbdonlon

Jul 29 2005, 05:48 PM

Why would following your wishes be sweeping it under a rug? You have me perplexed there..

That was one of my first cases in the BFRO. I thought the guy was very believable. He was still frightened as he talked to me, reliving it, and he was a big fella too. Not the kind you'd think would go wobbly-kneed in the woods. But you are right to point out his evidence that he saw a BF is not strong. It wasn't close range, it was getting dark..

He thinks he saw a BF, and I believe him. But there's no reason to leave the report up if it will attract a lot of negative criticism. Just having my name attached means people are going to look real close..

Shoot, I can take them all down. I don't need to see my name in print. Going out in the field is what gets my juices flowing. The reports are still there in the database for investigators to see, which is the important thing.

Each investigator, of course, always evaluates the reports for themselves when they use them to decide where they might want to spend some time looking for a biggie. I understand if the general public doesn't see this as a benefit, preferring to have all reports vetted to the highest standards possible.. I think that means there won't be a lot of reports in the state of VA that can be posted.

If you were like me, you'd want to see them all and decide for yourself, but you aren't like me and I can respect that. So the report has been retired.

bwillard

Jul 29 2005, 06:02 PM

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

:rotflmao:

Hey Donlon,

Shows how much I've been paying attention lately!!! I didn't know you were a member here!!!

Volsquatch

Jul 29 2005, 08:49 PM

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 30 2005, 05:48 AM)

Why would following your wishes be sweeping it under a rug? You have me perplexed there..

Where did I state that it was my wish for the report to be taken down? I'm just wondering why the report stayed up as long as it did, and why it took an outsider's eye to catch the glaring inconsistencies.

QUOTE

That was one of my first cases in the BFRO. I thought the guy was very believable. He was still frightened as he talked to me, reliving it, and he was a big fella too. Not the kind you'd think would go wobbly-kneed in the woods. But you are right to point out his evidence that he saw a BF is not strong. It wasn't close range, it was getting dark..

He thinks he saw a BF, and I believe him. But there's no reason to leave the report up if it will attract a lot of negative criticism. Just having my name attached means people are going to look real close..

All reports should be looked at 'real close', whether or not they have your name on them.
So he thinks he saw a BF, and you believe him? He must have came to that conclusion after realizing that his brother wasn't brown or black and uniform in color. But he only realized that detail afterwards. No wait, he realized that after his whistle and his call. Or did he realize it after he turned around and saw his brother? Or, did he realize it the next night at dinner, when he saw the face of Patty on his hamburger steak?

QUOTE

Shoot, I can take them all down. I don't need to see my name in print. Going out in the field is what gets my juices flowing. The reports are still there in the database for investigators to see, which is the important thing.

You can take them all down from the public database, but they'll still be there for the investigators benefit, and you say this is the important thing. Interesting. I'd be interested to see what would happen if you did take them all down. Then we would really see what was the most important thing, and to whom.

QUOTE

Each investigator, of course, always evaluates the reports for themselves when they use them to decide where they might want to spend some time looking for a biggie. I understand if the general public doesn't see this as a benefit, preferring to have all reports vetted to the highest standards possible.. I think that means there won't be a lot of reports in the state of VA that can be posted.

I can live with that. Who wants sub-standard reports posted to the database anyway? Why, someone from VA might have a budding interest in BF, and search the BFRO database, studying the VA reports. Surely they wouldn't find reports such as the one you just removed, and come away with a romantic idealism as to what is considered a credible sighting, a "Class A" sighting. Surely not.

I'm wondering if the database is even worth referencing anymore.

QUOTE

If you were like me, you'd want to see them all and decide for yourself, but you aren't like me and I can respect that. So the report has been retired.

You're right, I am not like you. I can live with that as well. Carry on, DB.

Volsquatch

Jul 29 2005, 09:09 PM

QUOTE(bwillard @ Jul 30 2005, 06:02 AM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

:rotflmao:

Hey Donlon,

Shows how much I've been paying attention lately!!! I didn't know you were a member here!!!

Now why is this not suprising?

bwillard

Jul 29 2005, 09:38 PM

QUOTE(Volsquatch @ Jul 29 2005, 09:09 PM)

QUOTE(bwillard @ Jul 30 2005, 06:02 AM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

:rotflmao:

Hey Donlon,

Shows how much I've been paying attention lately!!! I didn't know you were a member here!!!

Now why is this not suprising?

Good point!!! I apparently see things all the time.

Volsquatch

Jul 30 2005, 04:18 AM

QUOTE(bwillard @ Jul 30 2005, 09:38 AM)

QUOTE(Volsquatch @ Jul 29 2005, 09:09 PM)

QUOTE(bwillard @ Jul 30 2005, 06:02 AM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

:rotflmao:

Hey Donlon,

Shows how much I've been paying attention lately!!! I didn't know you were a member here!!!

Now why is this not suprising?

Good point!!! I apparently see things all the time.

You might want to get some help for that.

But seriously, I think I catch your drift now. You actually thought that I didn't know DB was a member here. LMFAO!

Of course I knew DB was a member here. :rolleyes:

The search button really is your friend. It's a handy little tool to keep oneself from tasting toe jam too often.

Ocoee

Jul 31 2005, 12:09 AM

I'm not trying to cause trouble, but I don't see how that report is very different from the majority of reports? No one's memory is perfect, and people nearly always revise their original stories after they think more about it. It's good and it's bad, but it isn't that unusual.

I just don't see why this report has to get picked apart, when there are soooooo many others that are more "fantastic" in nature.

This seems like your typical sighting to me.

chrisandclauida2

Jul 31 2005, 02:33 AM

i didnt look to see who the investigator was untill the person took credit in the second post.
this isnt exactly the most detailed report ever, but i also dont see any attacking of all va reports or all reports by this investigator. i think that is a knee jerk reaction of someone with their feelings hurt. unless there is some behind the sceens fued going on that we dont know about this is just a person looking a report over and wondering why it is a class a. i will take the investigator at his word when he said this is his first report and he made a mistake or insinuated as much.. at least this is what he was hinting at. this will be an ongoing problem when investigators go with their gut feeling on weather the person is truthfull or not and they make conclusions based on this. all investigators should have the person they will be talking to hand write a report. compair it with the one submitted and also with the oral report given during the investigation.this will be helpfull in drawing out the inconsistancies but also it should be nothed there will be some change in a witnesses story as time progresses. ther investigators should attend wicklander or like school for investigators conducting interviews. weather your doing a criminal interview or following up on a report like this this is valueable experience. some investigators have experience in interviewing people and that experience can be morphed to the interviewing done in this field. orgs should have a list if details needed in all reports and questions to ask that are specifically drawn up to get the descriptions needed. i am not talking about asking if it was big reddish brown shaggy animal or was it black etc. these are leading questions. they should break them down in to very specific sub catigories.a good interviewer can take a piss poor report and during the interview draw out much more info than the subject was giving by their own account of the story.i agree in this report the details are slim. this is much better classified as a b or c encounter.some orgs would leave it out completely unless they had several other reports from the time and area. so i can see vols point. there is also no reason for the investigator to say i will take it down. change the classification if you want but if you thought it should be there leave it there. if you change your mind as you gained more experience then update it. not everyone is going to agree with everything we do but you have to believe in your work while being adult enough to make changes if you see fit. saying you will take it down while under question makes the investigator look almost wishy washy or not able to stand up to said questioning. hell you could have chosen to not say a word and say you dont discuss reports once they are posted. either way is better than the first responce given.

my opinion is that is should be a b or c class report. opinions are like the outermost sphingter as we all have one and when they open up they are not always going to spew rose smelling air . it is up to the investigator to do as they see fit. they should however be prepared to stand up for their actions or choose to keep their mouth closed on the matter not start with obvious statements ment to illicet an argument or show hurt feelings. this is like blood in the water and , afterall, we are in a tank of sharks.

Arm Chair Squatcherback

Jul 31 2005, 09:28 AM

I actually remember reading that report before it was posted here. I had some of the same feelings as Volsquatch. I felt it would have fit better under the category of a Class B or C report. I don't think it should have been pulled. Class B and C reports have their place and it's up to the individual investigator to determine their worth.

zappy27

Jul 31 2005, 12:35 PM

QUOTE(Volsquatch @ Jul 29 2005, 09:09 PM)

QUOTE(bwillard @ Jul 30 2005, 06:02 AM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

:rotflmao:

Hey Donlon,

Shows how much I've been paying attention lately!!! I didn't know you were a member here!!!

Now why is this not suprising?

uncalled ofr.....

Volsquatch

Jul 31 2005, 01:28 PM

QUOTE(zappy27 @ Aug 1 2005, 12:35 AM)

QUOTE(Volsquatch @ Jul 29 2005, 09:09 PM)

QUOTE(bwillard @ Jul 30 2005, 06:02 AM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

:rotflmao:

Hey Donlon,

Shows how much I've been paying attention lately!!! I didn't know you were a member here!!!

Now why is this not suprising?

uncalled ofr.....

Then I retract my ofr. :rolleyes:

Matt Hale

Jul 31 2005, 01:46 PM

QUOTE(zappy27 @ Jul 31 2005, 12:35 PM)

QUOTE(Volsquatch @ Jul 29 2005, 09:09 PM)

QUOTE(bwillard @ Jul 30 2005, 06:02 AM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

:rotflmao:

Hey Donlon,

Shows how much I've been paying attention lately!!! I didn't know you were a member here!!!

Now why is this not suprising?

uncalled ofr.....

What? The implied BFRO/NESRA connection.

Is dbdonlon the unnamed researcher they are bringing in to help with the sighting.

zappy27

Jul 31 2005, 04:31 PM

QUOTE(v-hunter @ Jul 31 2005, 01:46 PM)

QUOTE(zappy27 @ Jul 31 2005, 12:35 PM)

QUOTE(Volsquatch @ Jul 29 2005, 09:09 PM)

QUOTE(bwillard @ Jul 30 2005, 06:02 AM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 29 2005, 05:27 PM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

:rotflmao:

Hey Donlon,

Shows how much I've been paying attention lately!!! I didn't know you were a member here!!!

Now why is this not suprising?

uncalled ofr.....

What? The implied BFRO/NESRA connection.

Is dbdonlon the unnamed researcher they are bringing in to help with the sighting.

What in the h**********ll are you talking about.

Where was any BFRO/NESRA connection ever made public that I missed?
How would I know who the expert is?

You assume much......

zappy27

Aug 4 2005, 07:13 AM

QUOTE(Volsquatch @ Jul 29 2005, 05:35 PM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 30 2005, 05:27 AM)

Yeah, let's just get rid of that one then.

Any more you don't like in VA?

Well for starters, why don't you take the initiative to explain why you posted such a questionable report to the database, and more importantly, why you considered it a "Class A"?

Or, you could do nothing and just sweep it under the rug. That's your initiative, you know.

You made the accusation, that seems quite shallow of you.

zappy27

Aug 4 2005, 07:19 AM

QUOTE(Volsquatch @ Jul 29 2005, 08:49 PM)

QUOTE(dbdonlon @ Jul 30 2005, 05:48 AM)

Why would following your wishes be sweeping it under a rug? You have me perplexed there..

QUOTE

If you were like me, you'd want to see them all and decide for yourself, but you aren't like me and I can respect that. So the report has been retired.

You're right, I am not like you. I can live with that as well. Carry on, DB.

1) You inferred iyou wanted it down, and seem now to backpedal from that.

2) I fail to see where the use of 'whacko' really adds any meaning to your point here.

3) I admit I am bothered by all the Type A reports on there but....what have you got that's a better database?

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