I've been reading articles on the internet and listening to podcasts, all in regards to Bigfoot.

I have not heard too much about having encounters with Officials while out in the field.
"Officials" meaning police, rangers, the game commission, etc...

How often does it happen?

And how have the situations been handled?

disclaimer: I apologize in advance if this a touchy subject within the Bigfoot Community - just let me know & I'll back off on it.
I'm new to the community & am still learning the ins & outs of what's safe to bring up & what's not...

Last I heard, searchin' fo BF was'nt illegal, but they may look at you strange. If you're breakin' any laws why worry?

Just don't get caught doing anything illegal and stay off private property and you should be fine. Just tell them you're trying to pattern deer, or out taking a nature hike... something like that.

Or just tell them that you want to see if bears really s**t in the woods!

Definately would never tresspass or anything like that (My husband & I always are out Jeepin' & we respect the landowners requests)

When I used to go wheel'n up in the hills here in Cali, I only once seen a person (logger), let alone any officials. Our main concern is running into some ones pot farm. That can be serious.

Besides being mindful of private property, know your firearm and hunting laws (if you carry). If I'm not mistaken, simply carrying a rifle can classify you as a hunter, and you had better have a license whether you're actually hunting or not. I prefer to carry concealed and I have a license to do so, that way you're just a hiker to anyone. A wise poster once wrote, "your biggest fear in the wild is not an animal, it's another human". I've heard some pretty scary stories concerning pot farms and meth labs. So, I personally recommend personal protection in the form of a large caliber firearm.

So, strap on your gear, bring lots of batteries and a GPS.... and it's nobody's dam buisness what you're doing on public land.

Good luck!

bingo.................. but with the gun, know yer states laws. Hunting is not on sundays where I'm from something else to be mindful of.

I tell 'em I'm geocaching. Wait I usually am or out hiking. Last year my best friend, as I was growing up even into college, was elected sheriff and I know most of the officers in my county so it really doesn't matter.

Between hunting, camping, fishing, horseback riding when I was much younger, looking for bigfoot and/or evidence of, hiking, photographing, and just hanging out in the woods I've spent countless hours in the outdoors. During all that time I've only had 2, that's TWO, encounters with any kind of official. The first was at the entrance of a county dump that my best friend and I were entering to spend the night watching black bears. The second was on a lake in a State Park with a ranger station on site, and they simply wanted to verify I had a valid fishing licence.

I agree with the others, be aware of your laws, don't break any and you have little to worry about from the "Officials". If there's any question in your mind about you're about to do, don't be afraid to call/email and ask questions first. If the answer is yes it's ok, then do it, if no don't do it, if no response use your best judgment. Personally if I don't get a response I simply don't do it to play it safe.

One thing I've thought about in regards to "Call Blasting", is the fact that in some states it's illegal to harass wildlife in any way, shape or form. This could include playing loud sounds in areas where animals aren't use to it. My emails to departments of wildlife in two states were not responded to, so I didn't do it. If anyone ever gets a definitive answer to that it would be interesting to see what their stand is in various states.

I've been hiking and camping here in the GP forest in Wa. for nearly 30 years.I have always paid for the trail permits and would think that there would be enforcement for the permits at the trail heads, but have never seen an "official".

Bumping into a official can provide a great opportunity to get information.

While I don't recommend posing questions like: "So where the heck is that gosh darn Sasquatch hiding out?", ask about mountain lions. If an area has one type of top tier predator it can also host others.

I was once on an over nighter in NJ and a cop drove up to us and the leader of our group came right out with: "Hey officer, we just looking for bigfoot". The cop just shrugged and said' "No problem" before driving off.

2 run ins:

One we had a cat with a ranger who let us know we had a truck in a camo site where they weren't allowed, he was cool about the fact the sign was down and we honestly didn't know

The second, a state trooper helped me push my car off an ice patch when the tires didnt want to cooperate. Both were fairly routine for the circumstances.

Thanks guys and gals! Some really good insight here...

Rangers in the Smokies have always been diligent about checking permits. Had one hike in just at daybreak on a Sunday in the rain several miles just to check for permits, to put it
mildly having someone arrive at camp in weather like that at that time of the morning will set you back some. I never go without permits so things are fine with whatever they
want to check on. They are also aggressively on antipoaching duty in the same area. I've heard some interesting stories about how they go about doing that direct from the rangers......some pretty wild tactics.

The implementation of decoy deer, elk, etc. is fairly commonplace. Once shot they register the hit, send out an electronic signal to the rangers, and armed smokies arrive on the scene very shortly. That's one of many tactics.

The DNR folks in North Georgia are very adamant on enforcing the laws. Most laws and or restrictions are usually posted on the entrance to wildlife areas.

One DNR officer advised he like to work in the Chohutta Wildlife area because he like to ticket bigfoot hunters having illegal weapons and lights.

You only need a permit in GP if you go above 7000', right? Just checking b/c I've never bought a trail permit in GP, but I've never gone above 7000' either.

And outside the Ranger Stations, I've never seen an "official" in GP or Mt Hood NFs, but I don't hunt. Folks I know who hunt encounter offcials fairly often.

Exactly.

If I am asked by a Forestry official or a police officer, I tell them the truth: I am out looking for Sasquatch.

12+ years ago, I was out in the woods and ran across a Forestry warden. He asked me what I was doing out in this area, armed, when it was not hunting season. I told him that I had recieved a report of a Sasquatch sighting. He looked at me, eyebrow raised, and said 'Sasquatch?'. I said 'Yes. Sasquatch. One of the names for the creature commonly called Bigfoot.' I introduced myself, told him what city I was from, and offered to show him identification if he wanted it. I then asked him 'How long have you been doing this job for? If you are out and about in the wilderness all the time, you must see or hear......"things" that you cannot identify. Any interesting stories?' That sealed it. He told me to be safe, gave me the usual talk about campfires, then he was gone.

Doing that accomplished everything I needed to be left alone. I told him the true reason for me being out there, and I offered identification, which showed that I was genuine about it. I gave him something to chuckle about with the "boys at the shop" when he got back from his tour. And I scared him away by trying to involve him in my pursuit, a pursuit that he found dubious and most likely humorous.

I will give him this though, he never cracked a smile or laughed when I was telling him this. Much better than some I have met/talked with over the years.

I think that's the way to do it Sean, just be straight, open and honest with them and they won't bother you. It also gives you a chance to obtain some more information. Think about it, these guys are out there a lot and if anyone has some experiences to tell, these are definitely the guys/gals that probably do, along with the hunters and trappers and hikers that spend a lot of time in Sasquatch country. It never hurts to ask, right? So I think that is the right way to approach these people.

I agree with Sean V and AlbertaSasquatch. I have encounterd a few "officials" before and I always truthfully told them what I am doing. I have never had any sort of problem develop. I've had some Fish and Wildlife officers become genuinely intrigued but usually I'm told to beware of bears and play safe.

Probably should not even ask this, but....



Just wondering how they check for weapons? Do they perform a backpack check or what? I have considered doing a multi-day backcountry hike, but would feel uneasy without some sort of protection. However, firearms are banned from the areas that I want to hike. Do they hassle you if the firearm is out of sight, but easily accessable? Obviously walking down the trail carrying an AR-15 with a Desert Eagle on your hip is going to draw unwanted attention, but something more discrete is what I had in mind.

Also, how much trouble would you be in if the officials found out you had a weapon, but that it had saved your life?

They can check by simply asking you or by searching you or your gear.

If you have one ( concealed or not, used in a life saving circumstance or not)- depending on where you are/ what laws attach and other factors, you stand a good chance of being arrested.

Figured as much....

One must not forget about the laws regarding search and seizure, though.
In Canada - a peace officer cannot search a person or their belongings without reasonable and probable grounds.
I am sure there must still be laws regarding search and seizure in the US.

There are but we have the implied consent as well on some public land ( on private lands that doesnt apply- there has to be probable cause)

( those are those signs or brochures with that small fine print that you may be searched at any time while on premises so by being there, you have waived your right)

As far as seizing the weapon, depending on the individual officer and circumstance, I have seen and heard of arrests, just being told to leave, confiscating the weapon for later pick up at the local office. ( I personally had that last one happen to me camping at Santee and didnt realize we had made it to a GMA near the wildlife refuge at Goat Island- he took my little single 20 [ snake gun], gave me the reciept and location to pick it up with a STERN warning that this incident was documented and "not" to let it happen again)

ETA: answer of opportunity here

When I went outside, the "crew" came by to drop off some venison. ( I lease to a group of LE for their private hunting and the guys here a few minutes ago were 2 state and 1 Fed warden)

They told me the "letter of the law" is to arrest when a firearm is on prohibited lands BUT most of them have "officers judgement" and depending on if its a family camping, the weapon is obviously a "self defense' weapon ( like a .380 or some small caliber) or a .22 or small shotgun with #8 or some such situation- they will often just give a warning and at times let them be just tell them to not do it again and dont take anything. They say it just depends on the particular weapon, the type of people and the overall circumstance and if they really believed the people were not a threat or conducting an illegal activity

Same here, but in the last week I've two conversations with DEP folks that pretty much confirm mountain lions in the CT/Mass area. The hunters in the area take them as a daily reality.

Georgia has new gun laws my understanding is that if you have a gun permit you can legally have a gun while on wildlife areas. A law officer including DNR can request to search
for contraband if you refuse and are suspected of having contraband the officer can get a judge to issiue a Search Warrant then you must submitt to a search.

Any charges under any circumstance is up to the officer, their of the opinion you can argue in court.

I keep forgetting that our laws in Canada are tougher than yours regarding searches. Also, the vast majority of land in Canada is not controlled by permit or fine print.
Basically - in Canada - unless you are in a municipality, specified park or wildlife control area, you are allowed to carry a long gun for personal protection.
Also, unless a peace offficer has reasonable and probable grounds, they cannot do more than ask you about searching your pack or person for a weapon. If you refuse - their options are basically zero.
Gone are the days (pre-1982) when a refusal to allow a peace officer to search your pack was prima facie evidence that you had something to hide.

Actually, since you would not be inside your residence and therefore have a significantly reduced "reasonable expectation of privacy" by virtue of taking said property in to public, all that is required to conduct the search for contraband is probable cause. Furthermore, if you admit that you have a weapon or one is located, It's standard practice to check the person in possession for any felony convictions and to check the weapon itself for any "wants" (stolen check).

Yes, but in Canada you have to carry a permit to own and operate a gun (FAC/PAC), Carry/Transport permit (or did they get rid of this law? Not sure), and all the animals belong to the Crown so you better not shoot one without an in-season hunting license and the proper tag to go with it. Sheesh, it all adds up!

Personally I think it is too much bother and expense. Liddle ol' me is just mushroom pickin' anyway.

I take a camera and good survival gear, plus my own good common sense. And if I want to hunt, I do it with a bow.

Conservation Officers seem to have search rights that normal police officers don't have.
I know here in Michigan when I was in college, the Sheriff would always bring a CO on any drug busts. I also know that if you got pulled over by a Police officer, and refused to authorize a search, rather than call a judge for a warrant, they would just call the local CO over, and let him do the search.

LongtabberPE- do my memories make sense? is there a legal reason for this?

Hi Vilnoori, to purchase a gun or to own a gun you have to have a PAL, which is a Possession and Acquisitions License. There is also two forms of this license. There is Non Restricted, which would be any hunting rifle or shotgun, then there is restricted, which would be any handgun and I believe a few rifles may fall into this category, such as an SKS, at least I know they were trying to make that a restricted gun. To own a handgun you have to be a member of a shooting range. You still have to get permit to carry the gun, but technically you are only allowed to carry it to shooting ranges. If you got caught with one on yourself while you were hiking then technically you are in big sh...crap. The only place you should be discharging a handgun is at a shooting range. So if I was to take a handgun while I was out squatching it would definitely be concealed. If I was to take a rifle or a shotgun, which you don't need a permit to carry and which are pretty hard to conceal, then really who cares if anyone sees it. That is the extent of my knowledge regarding gun laws in Canada.

edit to add: Would those be "magic" mushrooms Vilnoori?

Plus you are in the forest far from any lawyers, you are facing two armed and highly trained individuals who have the law on their side, and you want to stay in their good books. Best to be nice. The judge will believe the two of them, before he'll believe you. "But judge, I didn't give them permission to look under my jacket at my concealed, holstered .44." Uh huh.

Oh, thanks for the info Albertasasquatch. Oddly enough, it happens that I do own a PAL (they keep changing the name on me) for restricted weapons due to the type of work I'm trained to do. I don't own a gun, though. Too much hassle. Maybe I'll get into it more when there are fewer little kids around here. I do enjoy shooting at the range and sometimes a friend will invite me to try out all the fancy stuff he collects. Meanwhile my compound bow does the job. I'm a big, intimidating gal with defensive training, very fast reflexes and pretty good brain, and I trust in my God. I'm not afraid of anything but rather respectful and careful at all times. Heck, as a little girl I was running around in the Africa savanna facing snakes, lions, leopards and wild dogs, not to mention a lot of other things. Compared to that this is a piece of cake.

Individual states here have different rules. For example, here in Michigan I think it is unlawful to have a shotgun or rifle on your person, if it is not hunting season. If it is Turkey season, you can't have any shot larger than #4.

Nope, not magic mushrooms. I'm a biologist, interested in documenting my finds in the field only. But if I find something yummy (which I always do) it generally finds its way to my table. That includes a grouse or hare, though my family are a bit squeemish about coons. I have a lot of kids to feed, you know. lol

Don't you need a transport permit to take a shotgun or rifle in your vehicle? And if you are found with a rifle or shotgun outside of hunting season on Crown land, couldn't you be charged for hunting out of season?

Here in Alberta anyways, you do not need a transport license for shotguns or rifles at any time of the year. Also I believe if you are on crown land out of hunting season and have either a shotgun or a rifle you can say they are for personal protection. I guess this is where you would tell the official you are out squatching lol.

THAT is actually my favorite to use....works like a charm everytime. No wierd looks or anything, plus being a "nature photographer" is a big help when out in a research area.

Dont run in to many officials here either thank goodness.

I use to think I could get away with telling anybody that asked we are simply on a nature hike.

Bit harder to do now though with 12 GA, 44 S&W, 22, 9 mm, and 410 ga. Digital and video cam. Wood knockin sticks. 2 way radios. GPS, laptop. Video cam strapped to a helmet on my head, and aiming a paraboic.

I look like that dude from "honey, I shrunk the kids"

Wife says sasquatch is gonna die laughing at my dumb ass.

Oh well.

Sammy

There are certain areas where you will be charged with poaching if you are caught with a firearm and night vision equipment. Apart from being arrested they will confiscate everything, including your vehicle used to get there. As with any state/province, check the law. Ignorance of the law holds no water in court.

Near the end of last summer, I wanted to follow up on a tip from a friend, on info he had about some strange sounds (described to me as groans, grunts, and growls) coming from a large wetland area that consists of a protected state wildlife area, and borders a larger NWR. I obtained a permit from the refuge headquarters needed to enter the NWR at night. I did some surveillance during the afternoon to look for some good spots to record, that border the woods and wetlands. First off, I ran smack dab into someone's pot crop, while wandering down a narrow foot path on the edge of the wetlands. Cleverly hid among the tangles, but still visible from the path, only because of how tall one of the plants had grown. Although not large (I think < a dozen plants), they seemed ready for harvest. I clipped one of the larger buds for further research at a later time, and then moved on ... instantly deciding that this was not going to be one of the places to set up after dark.
After doing a few hours of recording, and scanning several areas for sounds with my dish, the strangest things I heard were some "glubbing" noises from out in the marsh, and several calling Virginia Rails. These wetland birds can make some pretty strange nocturnal sounds, best described as " toilet bowl " sounds. I thought... well maybe that this is what was being heard at night ?.
I started getting tired, and packed up and walked the mile or so back to my vehicle, still holding the dish and monitoring with headphones while stopping now and then. I did hear something crash through the woods several times, believing it was most likely deer.
When I came to my vehicle in the parking area, I found a NY State DEC vehicle that had a boat in tow, parked across the entrance to the lot...with no one in the vehicle. The lot was surrounded by woods, marsh. and heavy log barriers across the dirt road, so there was no way out for my vehicle, but the entrance.
My next thoughts were if I should sit tight, or walk back in on the trail. Is the DEC officer coming back after daybreak in the morning, or is he coming back tonight, or is he walking around the refuge looking for me...or what? I sat in the vehicle for an hour, and then decided to take a walk back in, a ways. If I was going to be stuck there, I might as well do some more recording ! I left my night vision monocular and pack in the vehicle, and brought my portable equipment back the way I came out (it was a 1.8 mile loop) . What must have happened (off course) is the officer walked out the other end and still found my vehicle unoccupied. Finally, at around 3:30 AM, I heard the loud jingle of his keys and saw the dancing flashlight beam, and he cautiously waddled up to me. He was professionally polite, but noticeably pissed, and looked me over real good. I got out the permit from my pocket, and he read it over like the sports section, and then asked me "what're you up to... out here at this time of night... by yourself ?". I told him that I was making some nocturnal recordings, and offered him a listen, and an energy bar. He wasn't interested, but lightened up and started talking about the frog and kadydid sounds, and that he thought that he had finally caught the kids...that were coming in at night and making campfires near the water, and told me about all the nights he spent chasing them around the trail...and that is why he blocked in my vehicle. I asked him if the kids he was chasing had a vehicle, and told me...no He kept looking at his watch, and seemed bent on walking out...with me. I decided, well...it's probably better that I do, or I'll never shake him.
When we got to the vehicle, he made sure he got a look inside with the flashlight. I'm sure he had the authority to search me and the vehicle if he wanted, but didn't. He made sure I left, and then followed my for a country mile, and then turned around.
I guess the moral of this story is: even though you have a permit or permission to be on public lands at night, you can still have encounters with officials, and can almost expect it, where there is road or waterway access. Apparently, the DEC and the NWR service don't share information...such as permits... even though the officer monitors and enforces activities on both the State and Federal lands.

Bill R.

I hear ya. We owned about 180 acres of land at The Peaks Of Otter until around 1994. While we never had to worry about people growing drugs on our property, we did have to worry about hunters sneaking in, and mistakenly shooting at us, especially during deer season (and no, that's not a slight against deer hunters).

Although we were shot at (or towards) a few times, the strangest & scariest encounter came when we ran into a guy hunting who we didn't know. He was rude towards us (my Dad & myself) from the get go. We told him he didn't have permission to be on our land, and he decided to bring his rifle down off his shoulders. Didn't exactly point it at us, but as he did I brought my 12 gauge up (not exactly pointing at him) while my dad told me to put it down (dad didn't play w/gun safety). I was EXTREMELY PISSED at that point, due to the man's arrogance, ignorance, and dangerous attitude. Anyways, to make a long story short, apparently my uncle (dad's brother in law) had given him permission. Of course my uncle had no right to do this, but had anyways. Then to beat it all, after we told the hunter this, he still refused to leave. That's when dad got pissed and told me to give him a couple shells. Then the man decided to leave. It still ticks me off!!