Firstly, let me just say that I want to prove that BF roams North America as much as all of you. So no blasting me for the following text. Merely an observation that I have made over the years. I would like to know your thoughts.
I have looked very closely at the biomechanics of human, bear and primates and have come to the conclusion that they (we) all generally walk in the same manner. Meaning, weight is pushed down on the heel, the rest of the foot comes down to distribute the weight, maintain balance, and then pushed off to continue stride. Biped (humans) have a much more pronouced footprint. Primates are different in the fact they use their hands to offset foot pressures unless standing upright. And of course, the constrution of the foot defers per application and habitat.
With that being said, why is it every cast or photo of a track looks as if Mr. BF has just stomped flat footed across the mud, sand etc? No flex of the foot or foot muscles. If dermal ridges are visable, then the biomechanical operation of stride and weight shifting should also be visable. The Patterson film has show this movement to mimic that of humans in relation to gluteus maximus/thigh/calf.
(ie:big thighs and ass!)
Now I have read Dr. Napier's , Grover Krantz research and Archie Buckley's as well. They seem contradict each other on many points. (double b*lls, skeletal design etc) I agree that BF's foot and construction have been adapted to his habitat but the sheer mechanical need of a creature of that size and weight would require a more flexible foot with great calf strength to travel over the country they roam. The foot is just a complicated lever. Bigger the size, bigger the lever. This calf strength also would be needed for bending at the knee, kneeling and lying down. Propelling ones self up and down as well as forward.
Now add the BFRO scookum cast, and we have an interesting situation. The above mentioned investigators claim the due to previous foot prints found, that BF has very little need for calf strength in relation to motion. Only kinetics are shared with human feet.
The scookum cast has a pronounced Achillies tendon and heel. This leads back to where I started. The foot in muscular motion...or lack thereof.
Does this make any sense? Am I way off track here? By no means I'm a doctor or a scientist, just a wondering fool who reads too much. Maybe I should stick to taking pictures!
The diagrams below show human foot pressures in relation to the ground.

human foot refrences:
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/puo/weilun/Hennig/Prof%20Hennig.htm

Archie Buckley
http://www.n2.net/prey/bigfoot/biology/buckley.htm

G.S Krantz
http://www.rfthomas.claranet/papers/antatomy.html

Dave I'm really starting to like you

I think you need to get in touch with DDA. You two
oughta hash this out, I think he can shed some light
on this subject for you.

good post btw...

Two words...

Midtarsal break!

I didn't think it was funny. Just an honest question...I wanted to hear other opinions.

I left out Midtarsal break on purpose. That term is in relation to primates who walk quadrupedally most (85-92%) of time. They are not restricted by posture and weight spread across two feet but rather four. The Midtarsal break theory has some holes in it in relation to Bigfoot constantly walking bipedally. And I read the Idaho State report on Bigfoot and bipedalism.
Please see the following link:

http://anatomy.med.unsw.edu.au/teach/anat3...23_WALKING4.pdf.

DaveD

DaveD:

Sorry you didn't appreciate my attempt at humor, no matter how feeble.

I listened to Dr. Meldrum's presentation at the Bigfoot Symposium, and found his midtarsal break thesis to be one of the three best "pieces" of evidence - the other two wood be the Skookum Cast, and the other would be Jimmy Chilcutt's testimony concerning dermal ridges.

The two oral presentations upped my belief in the existence of Bigfoot from 55% positive to somewhere in the neighborhood of 98% sure.

I wasn't trying to make fun of you.

Thanks and it's cool, tug!
I have always believed 100% in the exisistance of BF but just want to make science to help me along. We all have the same goal, some of us just take a different route to get there.
DaveD

DaveD,I dont know how to put an opinion to that.But it was interesting all the same good post,and a belated WELCOME!!