“Join Mike Dupler on his journey of adventure and discovery for the enigmatic giants of the forests. I highly recommend this book!” ―Loren Coleman, author and founder of the International Cryptozoology Museum
“Refreshing, thoughtful, thoroughly entertaining! Dupler is an experienced investigator who addresses many facets of the Sasquatch phenomenon.” ―Ken Gerhard, cryptozoologist and author of Encounters with Flying Humanoids
On the Trail of Bigfoot is a firsthand account from paranormal researcher and skilled outdoorsman Mike Dupler on his many years of investigations into the Bigfoot phenomena. It features his own encounters with these enigmatic creatures, complete with photographs.
This plainspoken guide explores a variety of fascinating aspects of the Bigfoot mystery:
- Whether Bigfoot are interdimensional beings or biological―or both
- The similarities and disparities between the Sasquatch phenomena and other paranormal manifestations (fairies, wild men, Mothman, and the strange events at the notorious Skinwalker Ranch)
- Bigfoot’s origins and their place on the primate evolutionary tree
On the Trail of Bigfoot also offers compelling theories as to the origins and arrival of Bigfoot in North America. Unique to this book is a detailed examination of stick structures attributed to Sasquatch, providing a wealth of information and reasoned speculation on the nature of these enigmatic calling cards that serve as haunting reminders of Bigfoot’s presence. Other evidence examined provides insight into possible communication techniques, such as tree knocks and perhaps even a spoken language, and an exploration of the implications of Bigfoot’s social interactions and higher intelligence.
From the Publisher
What Do We Really Know About Bigfoot?
“Until professional scientists are willing to make a serious attempt at identifying and studying Bigfoot, it will remain up to novices and weekend warriors to collect the clues that will solve the mystery. Without us running around the woods looking for something positive to show the world, there would only be stories and legends. We have to gather information as best we can and build our case with every scrap of evidence we can find. Once we do find something—a track to cast, or a hair sample to analyze—we must use it to identify and describe the creatures we seek and to establish patterns or unique circumstances in which we can better understand what they really are. We need to gather the pieces of the puzzle in order to create a picture we can present to the scientific community to prove our case. Persistent investigation will someday lead to the identification and protection of these gentle giants.” – Mike Dupler
Tracks and Stick Structures
Tracks Cast in Ohio
My sister Jan and I decided one day to go to Salt Fork State Park in eastern Ohio to look for evidence of Bigfoot. When we got there, we had no idea where to look or what to look for. We started out walking a foot trail that went around a lake. We wandered up a ravine between two hills that seemed to have small caves in them. Then we sat on a log and looked around a bit, keeping our gaze sharp for anything that might indicate that a Bigfoot had been in the area.
It was October and the leaves were beginning to fall. My sister looked down and said, “This looks like a track.” Sure enough, it did. There were several tracks that each measured about seventeen inches long. I took some pictures. One track had a perfect outline in the leaf litter. We had found tracks in the first place we looked! We left vowing to return.
Stick Structure in Eastern Ohio
The next spring, we returned to the same ravine, but found no tracks. Again, we sat there looking around and noticed that, on top of the hill next to us, there were several bent trees forming arches. We thought that this didn’t look quite natural, so we climbed the hill. When we got to the top, we found more bent trees and a classic stick structure. This was a really exciting find for us as novice Bigfoot researchers. We took more pictures and looked for more tracks, but we didn’t see anything definite. But still, in this one place, we had seen tracks, bent trees, and a stick structure.
This is the stick structure first found by me and my sister. It was surrounded by bent and broken trees that might contain messages for other Bigfoots. Notice the branch behind the structure. It is missing in the next picture, which was taken about six months later.
Stick Structures for Communication
I believe that these structures are used for communication. Any subtle changes could, therefore, convey some type of meaning. It could be that the bent and broken trees associated with the stick structure were part of the message as well. A Bigfoot might actually go to the hill and read what the signs meant. I have found three more stick structures and am watching them over time to see if any changes are made to them. I have noticed that, in the areas where I found the structures, there are always trees bent into arches close enough to the structures that they seem to be associated. Whether there is a meaning to them is unclear, but it is certainly worth investigating.
Teepee Structures
It is possible that these teepee structures are not intended for us at all. The construction of these structures could be intended to mark territories for other Bigfoots to identify. They may let family units know that they are in another group’s area. The meaning of the structure thus could be a sign to avoid this area, or it could be an invitation to visit and intermingle with the host group. Since the groups are so scattered, this could present opportunities to mate, or just to learn about what is going on in other parts of the country. If Bigfoots use established trails and routes, then this may be a way to connect with other family units. If rearranging the structures could change a message, then rearranging the logs and branches could convey changes in locations or members of the unit. If the family group in the marked area had to relocate for some reason, the new location or any changes made could be relayed through these rearrangements.
Native Legends of the Hairy Man
On Vancouver Island, they call the hair-covered humanoid creatures Mai-a-tlatl. One legend tells of a group of Native Americans who were traveling across what is known as the Forbidden Plateau in the 1800s. The men of the tribe had encountered another tribe and told their women and children to stay on the plateau. After the encounter, they went to retrieve their families and found that they were gone. Legend has it that they were carried away by the mountain giants. It’s possible, of course, that the other tribe found them, but that’s not how the story goes.