I am an occasional mapping enthusiast and over the past few years I have gradually compiled a Topo USA map folio showing approximate locations of sightings on the BFRO's online data base (plus a few sightings from other online sources that appear to be reasonably creditable).

The file includes reports since 1990. People with Topo USA 5.0 are welcome to download this map transfer file and join the fun. Maybe someone would like to put together a separate Topo USA map file of the pre 1990 reports?

Sample Images (©DeLorme Mapping):

Overview Contiguous US/Southern Canada -

Zoom In on an Ohio Cluster -

I have used the Delorme topo usa in plotting points of sightings myself in Skamaina county in washington around the Mt St Helens Area.

Focus your efforts in a county wide survey for the sightings listed on the bfro site.
It takes time but it is well worth it.

The mapping program allows for the placement of waypoints and for the exageration of the elevation.

once you have you points plotted on your map follow the lowest elevation (i.e) creekbeds, gulleys, and draws that connect each one with the shortest disance to the other.

Start looking in these low spots for tracks ways and trails. They seem to walk in the seam of the landscape along these trails.

I have found tracks several times by using this method.

Good Luck,

Ken Ken Yielding

I have the 11x17 book edition of DeLorme's Washington Atlas and Gazetteer. I refer to it often when I read sighting reports. I don't have it on disk for the computer though, that would be cool.

Is the computer version for the entire US or do you have to buy each state?

Susan, if I remember correctly, you could buy Regions and US...I've got V.3 and bought it as a Regional....I think its got WA, OR, ID, CA, and HI if I remember correctly....was kinda bummed didn't have MT, but will say was/is a darned good buy IMHO

Topo USA (as the name suggests) covers the entire country. You can purchase it one DVD or on a set of regional CDs for the same price. Detailed info can be found at the DeLorme web site via the link I included in my original post.

I used version 3 for the most part in creating the Bigfoot Sightings map folio, but I have recently upgraded to version 5. This version allows the inclusion of hyperlinks on map objects so the more recent reports on my map now include web links to the associated BFRO report. It's too bad that this feature wasn't available on the earlier version.

I've already done the plotting work for others to take advantage of, at least with sightings since 1990. Of course some of the location descriptions on the BFRO site are quite specific and some are very general. So I've located the sightings only as well as I could with the available info. I've included an approximate margin of error if the location details are lacking. e.g. "~3mi"

For example, here is an overview of the Mount Rainier area.


Of course with the Topo USA software you can zoom in to a much more detailed view showing the detailed topography as Ken describes.

i have both oregon and washington delorme gazeteers take to the field, other wise on the comp i use topozone.com, its free.......

this si cool you can see probable migration routes down the west coast into az up thru colorado. .i may have to get it.

Aargh, now I have to upgrade to TOPO 5.0... the good news is, as a registered TOPO 4.0 user, I received an offer from them to upgrade to 5.0 for only $59.95.

Actually I have found that you can still import the transfer file with Topo USA 3.0 (and I assume also 4.0).

With 3.0 you will be able to see all of the sightings. There are two drawbacks however.

1. The earlier version isn't designed to handle html links, so the more recent sightings for which I have included links to the BFRO web site will show the entire link address on the map and it will look very messy.

2. Also the earlier version does not include the ability to reduce the size of the map symbols at lower zoom levels, a feature I employed to reduce map clutter, particularly for the states with the most sightings. So the maps will look doubly messy at low zooms if you have version 3.0.

The good news is that these cosmetic problems should not interfere with your ability to see and study the sighting locations on the map.

Hope you find my efforts to be helpful!

Mangani...thanks for the info, wasn't aware the file would transfer over. Your right about the clutter, but it is still very interesting to look through. Thanks!!

I still think I need to upgrade to TOPO 5.0.

I currently have the Pacific West Region of TOPO 4.0. When I try to download your information, all I get is a page of computer cdde!

I don't have 4.0, so can't say for sure that that version will import the transfer file.

But as to the download procedure:
You need to right click on the link transfer file and then select "Save [Link] Target As" to download the file to your hard drive. Then from the Mapfolio tab in Topo USA you find the file transfer function and import bigfootsightings.dmt from its location on your drive.

Thanks for the tip... it works with Topo 4.0.

Now that I have it... what do the various pins represent?

I see red X's, red flags, and blue pins.

Zoom out to level 2 and you should be able to see the legend (out in the Pacific Ocean ) that explains the meaning of the symbols.

Dark blue pins are creature sightings from BFRO.

Lighter blue pins ares creature sightings from other sources.

Red flags are footprints and other physical signs from BFRO reports.

Red Xs are vocalizations from BFRO reports.

Yes. It is interesting how at lower zoom levels the sightings do appear to be "lined up", and not just in the west. Look at Indiana up through Michigan and also from the gulf states across the Florida panhandle on down into the pennisula, also between the lakes in Manitoba, etc.

Difficult to say though if these linear clusters actually represent migration routes or simply zones of habitation that just happen to have a long narrow shape (or zones of contact with human kind - or for the skeptics, habitat zones of delusional humans ).

Also interesting to note where there are no sightings reported during this period: The heart of the great plains, Kansas, Nebraska, and eastern Colorado show no sightings.

If BF sightings were cultural or psychological phenomena, as opposed to encounters with actual physical beings, one would expect the people of the great plains to be just as subject to delusions as people everywhere else.

Of course it could be that there are some reports from these areas, but BFRO has no investigators assigned there to check them out.

Habitat zones of delusional humans, heh heh, that's funny! I use TopoUSA quite a bit (and a bunch of mapping websites.) As for the linear and clustered points, comparing various maps and datasets it looks like mountain ranges correllate with most of these and the wetter end of average annual rainfall correllates with most also. Neither correllates with ALL of them alone but, together, mountain ranges and higher moisture regimes account for all of them. I guess I agree with Mangani's idea about 'zones of habitation.'

I've got a couple screengrabs here. The shaded relief is copyright Ray Sterner of Johns Hopkins Univ, the precipitation dataset is USGS National Atlas data. Compare for yourself and let us know what you think!

Does anybody have ideas about other characteristics that can be compared to encounter locations?

Great topic!

The other screengrab. Displayed USGS National Atlas average annual precipitation dataset using ArcExplorer viewer (a free download, hint hint.)

Mangani, just got a copy of Topo 5.0 today and got to finally cruise your map in proper perspective...Thanks for sharing it, was interesting before, now down right intriguing to me now

Being able to see everything for this area in a decent perspective, is very helpful right now as I'm planning a little sojurn up into the Gifford Pinchot and had nothing to import over from my old stuff....operator error strikes again

Thanks again!!

I'm about 40 miles west of John, playing with Topo V4.0... figured out that if I save the download under the Topo program it stays on my computer.

Looks like my camping spot in August puts me right between about four BFRO reports.

Tug, your computer travails remind me of my wife. (No offense intended as she is a wonderful person.) I'm always telling her that whatever she is currently struggling to do on the computer should really be intuitive to her. To which she tells me... .

It seems that some people just adapt more readily to using computer technology than others. Fortunately there are plenty of other valuable skill sets to have in life.

Glad you're finding it worthwhile AC! Thanks for the feedback. To hear others are using it makes my efforts to compile and post the file more gratifying .

Silva,

Thanks for the positive feedback and additional maps / ideas.

One association (I hesitate to call it a correlation, as it is far from universal) that I noticed when putting this together is how frequently sightings were near an area designated as a quarry or mine on Topo USA.

BTW, Mangani... I like the screen name... I collect ERB first editions, but only when I can buy them cheap!

Mangani;

I use a EarthMate Hyperformance on a Compaq Armada to navigate the woods.. Thanks for the info and links

Howee...

Well now, that's an interesting observation! I've heard much debate about whether bf uses caves, mineshafts or abandoned structures with any regularity. Without more precise location information for use in a purely statistical analysis (of appreciable "confidence level"), it may then be a mapper who shows in a spatial way whether bf seems inclined to make use of these things. Not that imprecise location info makes a spatial analysis more accurate, but a picture says more with less, accurate or not.

I look forward to the day. I mean, that alone could narrow the search. Agree? Disagree?

Good luck with the collection, Tug. Apparently people with similar interests have similar interests.

I haven't actually read any Burroughs for a long time now. But in my younger days I really enjoyed his work. He is one of those writers who is able to create amazing narratives directly from his imagination, as opposed to basing them on actual experience. (Supposedly the inspiration for Tarzan came from a dream.) I need to pick up one his books again.

Definitely getting off topic here, but since you guys appear to be very familiar with the Gifford Pinchot NF (I've only set foot there once myself), I wonder if either you has read Robert Pyle's Where Bigfoot Walks: Crossing the Dark Divide?

I picked it up at the library a couple of years ago and enjoyed reading it. While it is as much about philosophy and ecology as it is about Bigfoot, he does a nice job covering the history of sasquatch in the area around Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams, and the accounts of his own "not sure" encounters are interesting.

You're welcome.

I have an original Earthmate that I used in my Jeep with a laptop. This year I switched to a Garmin iQue 3600. It is a very slick piece of technology. But of course I can't use DeLorme maps with it, at least not without a whole lot of trouble.

I lived in the Volunteer State for three years myself (Hendersonville). Based on the map it looks like you may be located right in the middle of a likely BF "habitation zone".

Hard to say, Silva. Unfortunately, I did not make any effort to catalog the sightings that I noticed were near mines/quarries and it would take a lot of time to go back over and find them again. I suspect, though, that the effort would show that while there are a significant number of sightings that fit that discription, the great majority do not. I'd further suspect that BF takes advantage of whatever shelter is available, be it caves, tunnels, abandoned buildings or forest cover. Likely food/water supply would be their top priority, then cover, and finally convenient shelter.

Mangani,

I want to thank you for all the work that you done to make this available to everyone.

It inspired me to purchase Topo 5. It certainly puts everything in a spatial perspective.

Awesome!

Stan

I prefer expertgps avilable at www.expertgps.com It uses Raster images of 7.5' USGS topo maps. You get the WHOLE USA for only $60. You also get air photos as well, they are detailed enought to see individual trees when you zoom in. It also works better with a GPS than any other mapping program.

You also get larger scale topo maps, for when you zoom out.

Upside from delorme

USGS topo maps have MUCH better detail and info
free nationwide air photos
works better with gps
only $60 for whole usa. for delorme's program with USGS maps its $100 PER STATE!!!!, or $5000 for whole usa
can scan in your own maps for use with the program
Excel spreadsheet imports
Upgrades are ALWAYS FREE for LIFE!!!


downsdes from Delorme

No vecotr based maps, better when changing scales
expertgps must download a map the first time you view it.
No handheld version (its coming though)
No 3-D views
No topo profiiles (coming later this year)



Try it out, the demo is fully functional for 30 days. besure to get the waypoint file for the state you want, so you can search by place name.

After reading this thread I saved my pennies and finally picked up the national DVD version of Topo USA 5.0 - it rocks!

Can't wait to get time to really play with it and get familiar with the features.

I use (Garmin) MapSource. It works pretty well.

Some of you guys might find this handy.

TerraClient

http://billfriedrich.tripod.com/

I use this all the time and its fantastic.

Allows you to use satelite photography along with USGS map overlays.

AH HA!!! There's the link I was looking for!

I agree TerraClient is terrific. In fact I sent Bill Friedrich a fan e-mail a few months ago with some suggestions for additional features, but I never got a reply.

All the other mapping tools suggested here are fine. While Topo USA may have some drawbacks, primarily its nonstandard user interface, it does what it is supposed to do quite well IMO. This includes the ability to easily draw objects on a detailed topo map of the US and to store, retrieve, and view all the info for the entire country at once, and to quickly zoom in on an area of interest.

FYI everybody - I am continuing to update the Topo USA Bigfoot transfer file as new reports go on the BFRO site. I usually upload the latest version on Sunday.

Download procedure:
- Right click on the link transfer file
- Select "Save [Link] Target As" to download the file to your computer's hard drive.
- From the Map Files tab in Topo USA 5.0 select File / Transfer / Import to load bigfootsightings.dmt from the location where you saved it.

Tip - New users might want to experiment with the Map Display / Display / Map Colors option. Changing this from the default "Street Colors" to "Topo Colors" can make the topo details more visible. Unfortunately for some reason the DeLorme developers also chose to have the Topo Colors setting use a less attractive/more obtrusive font for the city names.

Does this product work with Mac OS X?

No. System Requirements for Delorme Topo USA 5.0

Hey Mangani,

Can you export this data out in any other format? I was putting together something similar in GIS for CA but have been stalled at about 6 counties worth of reports.
Maybe a text file with x/y coords or something?
I'd be interested in running this stuff thru the Geostatistical Analyst extension and seeing what happens.

Sorry belemnoid, but DeLorme does not provide export capabililty and their data files do not store draw object coordinates in ascii, so there is no ready way I can see for you to "mine" the data you are looking for. I think you would need to understand the proprietary details of DeLorme's file scheme.

Thanks, I thought that might be the case. Only translator I can find is part of Delorme's Xmap software...and I don't know a single person using that stuff.

Guess I'll keep plugging away.

UPDATE

Due to belemnoid's dilligence he was able to find that there is a way to export coordinates from a Topo USA draw file to a text file.

I apologize that I missed this capability. Unfortunately DeLorme's user interface has the export function for the the draw files in a separate tab from the export of the map files, which I overlooked. After a PM from him today I perused the help file and easily found it. :doh:

The current text file is attached and also can be found here .

Please note the following:.
"Map Pins" are BFRO Class A "creature" sightings.
"PBS Pins" are creature sightings form other sources.
"Red Flags" are BFRO Clase B "tracks" or physical evidence.
"Red Xs" are BFRO Class B audible encounters.

It will be interesting to see what belemnoid's analyses with GIS will show. He will have plenty of data to work with.

Mangani, great. I've got the text file downloaded but I'll import a couple days. I don't expect any trouble.

So, without having looked at your data points at all yet, I'm wondering in advance about ...how do I say this?... how persnickety you were in getting the exactly right spot, or maybe just within reasonable accuracy, or how you approached that. Goodness knows it's hard to nail these things down sometimes.

If I were to do a GIS analysis using this data, (which would also like to do) then some idea of generally how you went about placing the points would help me determine at what scales the data is more accurate at.

I'm kinda tired. I couldve been more clear my question. Just wondering how close I can expect to zoom in on points and maintain their meaningfulness.

Oh, the other thing. Sorry. Are these reports and evidence from 1990 forward? Not the older stuff?

Anyway, thanks for describing your process a little if you would.

Great topic. And great work Mangani.

Skookum, thanks for your support and encouragement.

I believe I understand the basis of your question, and I am not offended. I will tell you that on the "persnickety" index I rank pretty high. I am a financial analyst by profession, and while I don't feel I quite fit the "anal retentive" financial professional stereotype, I do like to get things right. So I tried to locate the sightings as best I could from the available information in the report. In fact, several times I have provided feedback to the BFRO when the location information in the report was inconsistent. e.g., incorrect county based on features, distances, and directions mentioned in the report.

That said, the coordinates I have "pin-pointed" are by no means precisely accurate. There are only a very small percentage of the sightings that I feel are precisely located (say within a hundred yards). These are the cases where very specific location detail is in the report, such as at the intersection of two roads, or X distance from Y on Road Z. More often there are less specific clues in the reports (i.e., "on a farm with small lake, woods, X miles from town Y, nearest road Z") that I can match up with features on the map which lead me, by the process of elimination, to a point on the map that I feel confident is close to the actual site. In those case I am generally satisfied that the location is accurate within less than one mile. In the remaining cases, where the location info is more vague, I try to find a point in the center of the region that fits the general description and I include an estimate of the distance to the edge of that region. (e.g., ~5mi).

In short I do make a serious effort to get it right, but there is no one checking my work (as you'll see from the occasional typos), and being a human being, I am certain I make a mistake now and then. Finally I might add, that I do not think having the precise location of the sighting is all that important. After all, if these creatures made it a habit of frequently returning to precise spots, we should have had photos of them long ago. I think the real value of the sighting reports is in gaining a picture of the range they inhabit or transverse.

And yes, they are just 1990 forward. This effort does take a good bit of time, afterall, so when I began I elected to go with only more recent sightings. You will note in my first post in the topic, I was hinting that someone else might want to share the effort by locating the pre 1990 sightings. This could be done in a separate "draw file" that could be "toggled" off and on in the Topo USA display to visibly highlight any pattern changes before/after 1990. In fact, now that we know how to export (and presumably import) draw file data it should be possible to manage the draw file data, breaking it up or combining it to display various combinations of sightings as desired.

I took a quick look yesterday after I imported his data and compared it to what I had done. First glance shows many are very close to where I put them (and I know my local area better than he would). From doing this myself I knew that several of mine were just guesses since the reports weren't very specific - I assume he had to do the same. I'd say 85% of mine were within a mile and the other 15% within 5 miles. Not too bad unless you're trying to walk out and find the exact spot - good enough for mapping at a 1:50,000 scale or smaller I'd guess.

Also, I found a few of his that were placed better than mine when I went back and looked more closely. :doh: Good job Mangani.

Thanks, that's good to hear.

"Do the best you can with what you have, and do it now." - Teddy Roosevelt

That's my motto. Which is not to say that someone else could not do even better.