Since 2004 a group of people from Michigan, Ontario, and Indiana have been conducting an on-site research project in Michigan in an attempt to document evidence of unclassified wildlife.

An important aspect of our research in this location has been a program of bioacoustic surveying. This program has proven highly successful and has resulted in several hours of medium to high quality audio recordings of anomalous wildlife vocalizations and apparent physical manipulation of the immediate environment.

Prior to now we have limited the sharing of these recordings to a handful of people, however both the landowner and we have wondered who else might be experiencing these types of events, and so with the property owner's blessing and with his interests in mind, we are now releasing some of the audio recordings acquired over the last several years.

Our reasons for deciding to release some of the recordings are two-fold:

First we would like to determine if similar vocals and sounds have been heard and/or recorded. These recordings are different in many respects than “classic” alleged sasquatch vocalization recordings, as well as being of considerably higher quality and because of that, we hope to find other areas where this is occurring.

Secondly, given that the end goal of most research is geared toward one or two common objectives (i.e. individual sightings or bringing in solid proof), we feel that as researchers we do have a degree of responsibility to share what we can -- to compare notes, so to speak.

We need to state very clearly that site location and integrity, as well as the anonymity of the landowner and that of his family, must be strictly maintained. The landowner is extremely concerned and guarded about his and his family's privacy, to the point where we all have signed confidentiality/nondisclosure agreements with him. While he more recently has become interested in knowing if anyone else has experienced similar events to these, his desire for privacy, and the integrity of the site, must remain our highest priority.

You'll hear several different types of vocalizations in these recordings, sometimes from multiple individuals, and often including physical interaction with the environment in the form of knocking on, breaking, and at times severe thrashing of brush and trees.

The recordings consist of screams, whoops, grunts, huffs, blowing, jabbering, very low guttural growling sounds, and on occasion extremely quiet "rumbling". Often, all of these sounds are heard in a short time frame. There are also several incidents of what sounds like loud tree breaking and knocking. At times, it seems apparent that this is in direct relation with the vocalizations.

On each event page we include a report of the time surrounding the event, as well as a highlight of the event itself. We also have separate individual sounds highlighted.

The recordings are best listened to through either very good quality speakers, or preferably good stereo headphones with the volume turned well up, and bass at least half way. You'll hear the loud vocalizations either way, but the difference between speakers and headphones is significant; you'll hear much more detail with the headphones. You need the volume and bass up to hear the lower, less obvious vocalizations.

As for analysis, we have had wildlife biologists as well as ornithologists listen to some of these recordings, and none have come up with a source animal.

Two respected university bioacoustics laboratories looked at the recordings and in both cases no matches to known wildlife were found. Several individuals, ranging from wildlife biologists to faculty members in multiple major university bioacoustics labs, have offered opinions based simply on hearing the recordings (or sections of them). These opinions have ranged from human, to canine, to "cat-like," to possibly grey fox. In the end there has been no consensus at all, which helps demonstrate the unusual nature of these recordings, particularly given the apparent physical aspect of many of the recordings (the tree knocking in particular).

An attempt was made by one of the major acoustic labs to completely rule out humans based primarily on the range of the more pronounced vocals, but this proved to be impossible as at least the louder vocals fell within an acoustic range overlapping that of human capacity. The recorders we use are optimized for levels within human hearing range (thus effectively eliminating sounds much above or below these levels) and they also compress the sound by removing the same areas (outside of human hearing), thus they are not ideal candidates for analysis.

We understand that these recordings are not proof of the existence of unclassified primates in North America. We neither intend to portray them as such or expect others to take them as such. From a scientific standpoint, they are simply recordings of "something" in the woods. Nevertheless, our experiences over the course of several years have led us to the strong personal suspicion that these are the real thing. While we are simply not at liberty to discuss many of the reasons we feel this strongly, and for many of us the strongest "evidence" is personal experience, we can offer these in part: 

There is an extensive history of reports at this location and in the area, many of which have been confirmed in one way or another. This history includes both multiple generations of the host family as well as several independent non-related events. Event descriptions stay true over years of interviews.

The geography, timing and apparent source location of many of the recordings renders the possibility of a hoax from the outside extremely unlikely.

Several of the events have included multiple vocal sources, both in close proximity and at fairly long distances, and while several of the "voices" have become familiar, there are often new or different vocalizations or voices involved also. This would seem to require a large network of both established and new hoaxers playing out predetermined roles, often on little or no notice, over a period of many years, and would certainly increase the likelihood, over time, of their being caught.

We've effectively and to our satisfaction ruled out all family members as potential sound sources; they have many times been present during the events or otherwise accounted for. They’ve all seen us jump and run toward sounds and dark shadows, and thus they are aware of our potential to catch a hoaxer.

The family knows that we deploy a number of game-cameras and change camera locations frequently without their knowledge. This has never been a concern with them.

We have been given free reign with regard to research methods and utilization of the property. No research constraints of any type have been placed on us. We are welcome at any time with no advance notice, and have been encouraged by the landowner to make every effort to discover and disclose any evidence of a hoax. To date we have discovered no evidence of hoaxing in any form.

There have also been fairly clear tracks and trackways found.

Two of our members have had sightings through night vision of something very tall, dark, and massive in close association with vocal displays.  Two other team members had a nighttime sighting, close to the campfire light, without night vision in the summer of 2008. One team member had a daytime sighting in the summer of 2005, and another team member had a recent nighttime sighting in the highbeams of his vehicle in July of 2009.

We have acquired these recordings with as much objectivity as possible and are releasing them in the spirit of sharing data; we hope that this gesture is received in exactly that way. We know this could be controversial, however we ask that those of you familiar with the people involved please keep in mind our demonstrated levels of skepticism, and understand that we employ the same level of critique to our own evidence and experiences as we have historically done elsewhere. Despite some very compelling events, and being incredibly excited on numerous occasions, we have been very conscious about not making assumptions or coming to unwarranted conclusions.

While we are willing to answer questions directly relating to these recordings to the best of our abilities, this is an ongoing research project and currently only the recordings are up for discussion. We cannot disclose additional information at this time, nor can we discuss or disclose information pertaining to other aspects of the project. We apologize in advance if we cannot answer a question related to subjects outside of the scope of our initial release.

Thanks again, and we hope these recordings may be of some help and interest to our fellow researchers.


The Michigan Recording Project

I just want to be the first to say you guys have done an incredible job trying to properly document your activities and the results.

Hi

I am Sitting here with the stereo up and the hairs on my arms standing on end, The sounds are so good it is like i am there, I right now am totally blown away . . . .

Peace
Tim

Thank you Sam... I've been a bit negligent on the field notes so far this year, but typically Pat and I especially try to record every detail of the day from the time the first person wakes up until the time the last person goes to bed. Never know when those little details might eventually point towards patterns or something!

I do not hear the warble sounds on the 7-2-07 recording #5, only some snaps, crackles or pops and deep breathing or huffs? Am I missing something? Or is there a malfunction in uploading files? Nice work, so far haven't recognized any sounds, but I'm interested in the warbles if you can provide the file? Will try again with headphones, now I know how they got the nickname "yahoo"!

Having already listened to these files I can tell you that in some cases headphones are really a necessity.

Yep, what Sam said... the warbly-kind of sound is very faint, and very brief (2-3 seconds). Almost everything comes through pretty good through decent speakers, but some of that really low stuff is so much clearer through good earbuds or phones.

When I listen to them for detail, I use an "in-the-canal" type ear-bud. It makes a massive difference.

Welcome to the next level!

Hi

BP Try Aug - 30/31 clip # 10 I can hear that a little better there, It's sound to me like ~ Wak a woo

These are really great i can't thank you guys enough for letting us hear them

Peace
Tim

It is great to be able to share them.

Thank you all for sharing these recordings. I can tell you they've renewed my interest in the subject, and made me question some of my suppositions and assumptions. I expect there will be "sacred truths" overturned before long.

After borrowing my son's skullcandy headphones (OMG), is the warble in between the two big huffs? If that is it, I think there's an even more faint warble on the #2 recording, after the scream, then 2 huffs, then the warble.... very distant.

I can't stick around tonight, I'll be back later, but thanks for sharing these with us! I look forward to listening to these over and over.

Many thanks for the fine array of outstanding recordings. It becomes obvious how much work the team has put into this effort over the years, so a hearty well done to all. Some of the voices -- especially the whoops -- remind me of some upper state New York recordings made about 3 years ago which included a host of what sounded like BF juveniles whooping it up and a pack of coyotes whining and yipping; mutually harassing each other in the woods back behind a country home. Seemingly this may be a common practice among the young -- kind of their teenage version of hanging out at the plaza, smoking cigs and checking out the local night life. Very cool! Again, many thanks to all involved.
Dudlow

This is absolutely incredible. The best thing to happen in this field....ever.

My first click was on Aug 2/3 2008, clip 1 - had the sound turned way up. Upon hearing the vocals, my dog became really afraid and started barking(which he rarely does) and cowering behind the chair. I almost joined him.

You've got something up there - something strange and different.

Thank you for all of your collective hard work and for selflessly sharing the fruits of your tireless dedication. Given the high quality of what we've seen so far, I dare say this is just the beginning, and in my opinion from following this field for so many years - the best chance out there for finally making some much needed(and long awaited) progress.

WOW.... thank you.

Thanks indeed. This isn't the end though, just the beginning since it's an ongoing project.

Thanks Vol. That's quite a compliment.

I am still listening (difficult due to dial-up lol) but so far I am impressed not only with the quality of the vocalizations, but the documentation as well.

Excellent work.



hmmmm how very cryptic

Having listened, I will say first that you are all very brave. I don't know what that is, but it sounds large, active and pissed off. I would have vacated the premises immediately, if not sooner, and without wasted effort on things like packing.

Second, that is a really amazing set of recordings, and I think you're on to something big (pun intended). I can't wait to hear/see/experience the next things you share!

We really can't wait to get back there. Just count the days until the next trip. And when it's happening, I, at least am on top of the world, happy, exhilarated, and doing just exactly what I want to be doing. Can't describe it any better than that.

We've had 5 years of "ease in" time on this, and over time the encounters have to a degree ramped up in intensity. I know that it is very difficult to believe it when I say it..but you DO get "used" to it, in the sense that with multiple encounters and no sign of physical aggression(in that, they are not taking that last few dozen steps into camp, whatever "they" are), then you come to realize that the challenge is NOT to avoid getting hurt, but to see more.
I will tell you this though....having something doing it's level best to utterly destroy a tree, all the while screaming and whooping like a banshee, 30 yards from you with nothing but a medium sized river to slow it down...is exhilarating, to say the least. It's a very good work out for the ol' adrenal gland!

No hidden meaning there!

For me, some of the subjects' sounds were completely unexpected and puzzling, mostly the "AAAAHH" screamer. Some of the sounds and what seem to be behaviors are completely unlike the stories I've heard. They also seem to fit quite well with what little I know of the behavior of known primates. I'm no scientist, but this intrigues me greatly, and leads me to expect that we're in for some big surprises.

Well guys(and gals), it's true, and I seriously would like to thank you all again for bringing this forth.

This research is very exciting, especially considering the ramifications which could very well stem from it. I'd say the phrase "life changing" definitely applies here.

Information such as what Nightwing has relayed above brings a stark realization that there really is something to this. Reading his description of the events which transpired across the river brings instant chill bumps, and really and truly has an effect on me. The P&G film - tired, talked to death and forever inconclusive...this on the other hand is happening now, it's exciting, real, and comes from folks who's honesty is above reproach, and that makes all the difference in the world.

It's a strange feeling when you finally realize...there really is something out there.

In my opinion, this thread should be immediately pinned to the top of this sub forum, and the news section should be updated to reflect such.

Nice!!! Great job with the recordings and documentation.

I'm particularly fascinated by the low grunts, growls, breathing etc... because I've heard the exact same ones (I mean exact) within 15-25 ft of me more then once including outside my tent in WA accompanying periodic heavy bipedal footfalls by the same subject(s). Stacy, some of these (mainly Aug 2008) are the same type of grunts I tried to describe to you previously that I've heard. Some are almost "doe-like" but with a remarkable ooomph behind them that's unmistakable. Great job you guys & thanks for sharing!

Bart, that's the stuff that fascinates me most, that low rumbly stuff. It just sounds like it's coming from such a massive chest cavity.... The one thing I hope more than anything that we record this year is more of that, only louder (as in closer to a recorder).

Stace- Tell everybody I said hi back in chat, LOL. I'm on Kim's laptop and it's not allowing me to respond though I could see what you guys are writing and now Bella's crying. Yes I'm babysitting

Enjoyed your Blogtalk show this week. Any commentary on the IR footage is greatly appreciated.

Huh?

Wrong thread maybe?

BartlosJ gave his side on Sasquatch Watch about his footage.

I was confused myself for a minute. Glad you enjoyed it squatchaholic, although it was just a thermal sighting, no footage. if you have any questions be happy to answer them through PM, but I don't want to derail this important thread.

I apologize. Your reanactment pics

I know what you mean Stacy. I heard a vocal (as did hubby and others) that had a sound unlike any I have ever heard before. It sounded as though whatever made the vocal had a large chest cavity and could project sound with much force.

Sorry I missed this earlier. When I was deciding on what to use as "sub recordings" to try to highlight some of the best "stuff" this was one thing that I wanted, yet, was hardest to catch. This sound actually happens at least 3 times during the recording, but is loudest at about the 7:06 mark(ish).
That said...if you go to recording no.10, that is a cut of JUST the best warble(could not think of a better term for it).
You almost have to have head phones to hear it, but in even a cheap set of stereo headphones, given a decent sound card, it is very easy to hear.

IMO this is THE most exciting thing to come along in the field of bigfoot research in....well forever. When I first heard these recordings, I got so totally involved with just listening that I forgot that people that I actually know were right there in the thick of things, and that these vocals were happening in real time. My hat is off to those of you who have devoted so much of your time and effort to bring this evidence to the bigfoot community. Job well done and I wish you continued success with this project. Great, great stuff guys! Thank you!

Great work "Team Michigan"! I had the pleasure of meeting Nightwing not long ago and he shared one or two of these recordings with me...of coarse swore to secrecy until released which I did with pleasure. While listening I couldn't stop thinking how amazing and "new" these vocalizations were. You guys have put a tremendous amount of work and effort here and the BF community as a whole is and will benefit greatly.

Edit to add I'm glad to be in Michigan!

Great work, congrats!

I have a question if you don't mind, I read through the information and couldn't find it mentioned anywhere, so if it is, and I missed it, I apologize.

Do you all get responses or activities every time you visit the research location? I ask this because I noticed it was mentioned that you have been visiting the site for several years.

I thank you in advance for your answers.

Nope. There are times when we go for several weeks straight with out hearing anything at all. It's been reported to us that the sounds happen at various times from dusk until dawn but very sporadically. I.e One day it could happen at a little after dark, the next not till 4 a.m. and those have happened sometimes on consecutive days and sometimes a few weeks between events.

*edited * for speeling and gramma.*

This is just amazing work. Thanks to this entire team for their efforts! This is the kind of research and effort that deserves endless thanks.

And with this project comes solid material for study and future projects!!

Great work and thanks to all of you!!

Yes, what Jim said. And then there are other times when you might hear just one very distant call series over a long weekend. Or just two distant vocals in a week.

Another time you'll get a high action few days where you have multiple vocs on consecutive days plus other stuff as well.

I certainly don't claim to be an expert in primate behavior, but if I were a guessing man, I would say that something is very upset that you all are out there. Those calls sound to be intimidating type calls, a way to try and get you to leave. I hope that more analysis can be done to the recordings and get some answers. Now, the next step would be to get a picture or video of whatever it is making the sounds.

Thanks for answering my question and I may have more as I further think about this.

The thing is though, that even if that happened (which I can honestly state has not), we'd still be under the constraints of the NDA/Confidentiality agreement, and couldn't, and wouldn't release anything without the landowner's OK, which I do not see happening at this point. Granted, it's more of an honor system, but there's no way, even if we did eventually get some awesome pics or video, that we'd break his trust like that.... plus, we'd lose access to the site and that would be no good! So for now, as far as the website goes, it's all about the vocals.

And I agree... at least on my part, there are times when I feel like the screams might come from nervousness or alarm, and the whoops/blowing/banging feel like upset/anger/get out of my spot!, but there's really just no way of knowing. Soooooo many questions, and every time any big event happens, soooooo many more LOL.....

Personally, I felt that during both the Fireworks event and the River Crossing, both of which I was present for, it was very pissed off at us. In both cases, the whooping and tree knocking began immediately after stimulus of either a loud fireworks explosion, or when Mike and I startled it with our flashlights and sent it running across the river to the other side. In each of these instances, it seemed to be a reaction, and (just my opinion) it seemed to then want to take out it's anger, or whatever that was, on us by whooping, hissing, mumbling and generally bashing at the vegitation.

Wow... Very impressive.

You guys have set the bar pretty high. Very, very nice.


THIS is absolutely awesome.

Edited to add: Still going through the recordings and am playing the Aug 30/31 clip.. Two of my dogs (a daschund and a ridgeback) just came running into the room just now and are acting all freaked out and are barking at my computer speakers....

Excellent work Team Michigan! The vocals are so close to the recorder, you can almost visualize what's happening. Which brings me to my question. (Forgive the questions if you only are going to discuss the audio).

If I'm reading correctly a camera is always placed 3/4 the way down a game trail. Do you place others in the vicinity of the audio recorders, where such close action is happening? Or do you suspect they may sense and avoid cameras?

Also what kind of tree and brush distruction do you find in the morning; it sounds pretty extensive. Have they ever destroyed the tree the recorder is mounted on?

In my opinion audio evidence is way more impressive than any blobsquatch. Like others said, especially the low frequency rumbles. I can almost visualize an adult and at least one juvenile in these recordings. Thanks again for all your work!

ARghhhh.
I am at work for another week and a half so I have to sit here in a noisy powerhouse and listen through cheap speakers.

Even so though, I have goosebumps and am now afraid to go out in the plant to do my rounds......

Great work gals/guys. And thanks for sharing. We sure needed something like this.

I have not read all your notes yet either but I would really like to know if you have ever tried (or are planning to) using fireworks to recreate the response you got that night?

Thanks again

Thank you.

Not always. We usually have at least two there on a permanent basis, one that I move fairly regularly to different locations around the area, anywhere from 1/4 to a half mile away. We have had as many as 14 game cams up at one time though with an average of about 8 a trip depending on time allowances. I don't have any sense that they avoid cameras at all, but in the area that we research the problem is often the area to cover vs. the amount and range of the cameras we have.
No. The destruction was a one time( that we know of) event. Determining in the several hundred acres that we have access to, would be nearly impossible, to distinguish it from the normal broken branches, fallen trees and general ground clutter. Thank you again.

Just to add to Jim's answers above, even in the immediate estimated zone the vocals came from, the nature of the woods is such that the dry, brittle softwood understory was very susceptible to damage from a small wood cutting operation that had gone on earlier in the year. The tree damage and debris from that also added to the problem of determining brand new damage. We have found some "suspects" of course...but as Jim noted, natural and man made damage is extensive in the area before hand.

Nice work and nice presentation guys and gals.

I remain fascinated and befuddled by many of these sounds and anxious to hear what alternate explanations might be proposed by those more familiar than I with our North American woodland fauna.



-A