Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled and will continue to compile questions and our answers to questions that are asked, or should be asked. Our FAQ list is different than most of the FAQ pages found on other Bigfoot sites. Instead of having the same questions copied from site to site, we have instead produced original content from questions that are particularly interesting and informative.

Table of Contents

1. Where can I see a Bigfoot or where can I go to start research?
2. What methods of detecting a Bigfoot have been used?
3. Can Bigfoot or animals detect the heat IR sensors used in remote cameras?
4. Can Bigfoot or animals see infrared lights that are used with night vision equipment?
5. Can Bigfoot or animals sense being watched with night vision equipment?
6. Can Bigfoot or animals sense electromagnetic radiation or ultrasonic noise generated by electronic equipment?
7. Is Bigfoot dangerous?
8. What would Bigfoot eat?
9. Yeah, but aren't all those people who see Bigfoot crazy?
10. Why not just kill a Bigfoot, then figure it out?
11. What do I do if I find a body or skeletal remains of a Bigfoot?

Where can I see a Bigfoot or where can I go to start research?

This is probably the most frequently asked question we receive. If anyone can answer this question, do you think Bigfoot would be still be a mystery? Bigfoot is believed to be an elusive, nocturnal creature, and we have a hypothesis that the creature may roam near randomly within a 2500 square mile area. To pin point or predict where a creature may be, is the goal of any researcher who wants to show scientific proof, but this just hasn't been accomplished yet. Within our pages of OH/PA information, we mapped out sections of each state where such a creature is most likely to be found based on a number of factors. The creature(s) can be anywhere within the marked areas at any given time, no one has enough information to be able to pinpoint it any better. We compiled data from a number of reports that may point out some corridors where the creature(s) may be more often, but the data is still sketchy due to the number of scattered reports. Actually, the best areas maybe where it has not been seen often, where it is remote, and therefore where it would feel most secure. It is also very difficult to sometimes determine whether a report is actually valid. Through years of research we have identified areas we monitor more closely, and would like these areas kept clean of heavy, unorganized activity for good reasons. Therefore, we are a little unwilling to just give away hard earned information to just anyone who asks, researchers included. We do recognize a need for organized team work to better accomplish research goals. This is why we developed and are members of the Bigfoot Research Network. All members work under common rules and goals. If you want to be an independent researcher, we suggest that you look over our map areas for remote patches of land that have good cover and food content. Start searching the hardest to reach areas including private property (be sure to obtain permission). You may also try your luck at receiving your own reports. Good luck.

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What methods of detecting a Bigfoot have been used?

Wildlife researchers usually have methods of detecting the presence of animals within an area. These methods range from finding tracks and signs, bait stations, scent stations, traps, calling, remote triggers, and more. Almost all of these methods have been used by Bigfoot researchers, but mostly without success. The reason for being unsuccessful is that the success of these techniques drop off significantly if there are low populations of the animal being detected. Often more common animals interfere with the detection mechanisms enough to ruin the results. We can only continue with the these methods, hopefully in an active area, in a methodical way to receive results. Growing in popularity in recent years are remote triggered cameras, that take pictures of what walks in front of them 24 hours a day. These cameras are very exciting, but cost a hefty bundle to use enough of them to cover even a reasonably small area. Another big draw back is they will often get stolen, by people, if left out in the field for a useful period of time, adding to the expense of the method. If you use the remote cameras, you will usually only get pictures of deer and people (it is sometimes surprising how many people walk through an area). To date, remote cameras are not sufficiently reliable and economical to sustain long-term use in the field. Some other methods we use are to travel back roads and trails by foot, mountain bike, and on top of 4x4's looking for tracks and other signs. We also travel around at night, scanning the area with night vision equipment. We also believe that using predator calls can be effective, just be prepared to attract and face any other predator in the area large or small that is looking for a meal.

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Can Bigfoot or animals detect the heat IR sensors used in remote cameras?

Some people have been confused into thinking that there is some kind of light coming out of these sensors and something might be able to see this "light", and that this may be why Bigfoot hasn't been captured by a remote camera yet. This is not the case at all. The heat sensors used inside security light fixtures and remote cameras are known as passive sensors. The passive classification is a definition where sensors are only receptors and have no emission of any type, so they cannot be detected. Think of them like you would your eye receiving light to be able to see. Some manufacturers of remote cameras show a picture of what might look like a cone of light to describe the characteristics of the detection pattern and range. The illustrations have nothing to do with light emitting form the device. Remote cameras can be detected in a number of other ways. First, they are rather large and may easily be seen hanging on the side of a tree, especially if there is a trail cut in the brush to make a clear view for the lens. Secondly, most of these cameras flash automatically when there isn't enough light, making them extremely obvious and it has been documented that some shy animals will avoid the area after they see it flash-off on another animal or itself. The most likely reason why a Bigfoot creature hasn't been caught by one of these cameras is that there are very few of these devices in use, and the extremely small amount of square footage each can cover (30 feet X 30 feet on average) compared to the total number of square footage where Bigfoot may roam. The odds of detection can be calculated and used to provide some valuable information.

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Can Bigfoot or animals see infrared lights that are used with night vision equipment?

Many people use infrared lights with night vision equipment to extend the range and usefulness in very dark areas. These lights can be LED's or colored lens filters for flashlights and spotlights that have an emission wavelength of typically higher than 700nm. Night vision devices are very responsive to infrared light in the 700-1000nm range, but humans cannot see this light, which allows night vision to be covert. We are unaware of any animals that can see into the infrared light range above 700nm, therefore animals and Bigfoot cannot see lights that are above 700nm in wavelength. Colored lens filters are rated by the range of the light they pass, and the numbers that are given are based on the -3dB "knee" part of the emissive curve. This means that these filters allow some amount of light through below their rated values. If you look into a light using an IR filter, you will notice a deep red color. This is not IR light, but rather the visible red light that leaks through the filter. Depending on the ratings of the filter, the amount of light will vary. Usually, the amount of unwanted light emitted through these filters in very little and is very difficult to detect from a distance. Few animals, especially due to their limit range of red vision, will likely be able to see this small amount of light. We have never observed any animals that behaved as if they saw any of the infrared lights that we use. It should be noted that animal eyes undergo a change during the dark in a manner similar to our eyes, but usually in a more refined way. Animals will typically be much more receptive to ultraviolet light during the night because this light is much more prevalent in the dark. Therefore, it is difficult for animals to see the color red at all at night; this is why many hunters use red lights while hunting. See the below graphic to better understand the light spectrum.

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Can Bigfoot or animals sense being watched with night vision equipment?

You would have to believe that Bigfoot or animals have some kind of sixth sense to be able to sense being watched, for this to be true. There are a myriad of other reasons why something can figure out if someone is around and react as if it magically sensed being watched. Odors, sounds, movement, and light reflections are the biggest reasons an animal can sense someone. We have never seen an animal that appeared to have a sense of being watched under controlled conditions where we observed the animal, no mater if observed during the day or by night with night vision.

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Can Bigfoot or animals sense electromagnetic radiation or ultrasonic noise generated by electronic equipment?

Much of the electronic design specifics and physics that pertain to electronics, sound, and animal hearing are beyond the scope of a quick and timely explanation, but here is a short primer that should provide a lot of insight.

Electronic and electrical devices are based on the flow of electrons in the various and often-colorful components. This flow of charged particles (current) causes electromagnetic waves (EMI) to be emitted; these waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and are radiated in the form of photon energy through space (think of them as low-frequency light waves). These waves have absolutely no acoustical energy at all -- ask any Physics professor. Acoustical energy or sound is formed by pressure waves in the molecular component of air, almost always from the mechanical vibration of a physical object. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz), and is simply the number of times per second that a vibration repeats itself. The audible range for humans is considered to be 20-20,000Hz, but the ear is only reasonably sensitive from about 100-10,000Hz. Ultrasound is the range from 20,000Hz and up, although few sounds in nature occur above 200,000Hz, and most bird and animal sounds fall within the range of 100-10,000Hz. Electrical energy can only be converted into acoustical energy, by first converting it to mechanical energy, which is the motion of a physical object. This conversion occurs in only two major ways, the most common is magnetically. When a moving charge (current) flows through a magnetic field, a physical force is created at a right-angle to the direction of current flow. If the current is flowing through, for example a length of wire in the magnetic field, then the created force will attempt to push/pull the wire sideways. If the current is AC, simply meaning that it has a vibrational frequency, then the wire would attempt to move back-and-forth -- this motion would vibrate the surrounding air, creating acoustic energy at the same frequency. This concept is used for most devices, which convert electrical energy to mechanical (transducers) such as: motors, solenoids, and audio speakers. The other way to create force from electricity is through the electrostatic process; a force is always created between any two charges. An AC voltage applied to a device will therefore create a tiny mechanical force, which can vibrate the surrounding air at the same frequency -- this technique is not widely utilized, due to its very low efficiency. The closely related piezoelectric devices are used in tweeters and ultrasonic transponders. The most important issue to understand is how efficient an electronic component will convert an electrical signal into an acoustical vibration. First the magnetic or electrostatic fields must be present in the first place, and the component must be physically movable to allow it to vibrate. The component would also have to possess physical resonance (like a violin string) at the same frequency as the electrical signal frequency to make much sound. Most electronic components are not specifically designed to act as audio transducers and are very poor "speakers". Often, the frequencies used in electronics are well beyond the ultrasonic range and cannot form sound. Sometimes, when enough power at the right frequency is driven through a component, which is free to vibrate, an audible signal can be produced. High current coils can vibrate; common examples of this are: the power supply coils inside camera flash units, TV's and monitors, or large transformers -- where amps of AC current will cause a slight audible sound or hum. Some components, known as capacitors, also have a very slight piezoelectric effect called microphonics.

Sound levels are typically measured in dBs, which are logarithmically based. Example levels: perfect human hearing threshold 0dB, quiet outdoors 20dB, a whisper 30dB, normal talking 60dB, loud talking or vehicle passing by 90db, threshold of pain (rock band) 120dB, all measured at the ear. Of course, levels decrease with distance due to spreading of the wavefront, and especially at ultrasonic frequencies, by absorption. The following formula yields the dB2 sound level at a distance of D2 feet from a source.  dB2 = db1 - 20 LOG ( D2/D1 ) - ( A x D2 )  Where LOG is base 10, D1 is the distance in feet the level dB1 was measured at, A is the air absorption factor under typical conditions: 0.1@20,000Hz, 0.33@40,000Hz, 0.7@60,000, 1@80,000Hz. This means that at 10 times the distance, the sound level will decrease 20dB and more due to the effects of absorption. Some animals have hearing that extends into the ultrasonic range further than man. Deer, cats, and dogs can hear well to 50,000Hz or so, some small rodents up to 150,000Hz, most animals over 400Lb have worse than human hearing. In general, good predators and prey species have evolved ultrasonic hearing as a survival mechanism, due to the fact that the ultrasonic band is normally very quiet (<20dB) compared to the noisy humanly audible band. For example, the cracking of twigs from a nearby disturbance is easily discerned because it is rich in ultrasound. It should be noted that animals do not hear better than about 10dB below humans in sensitivity. It is also very unlikely that any species will exceed this performance, the acoustical power levels, at the ear of a 0dB sound, are so low that the noise of random air molecule bombardment becomes a limiting factor. The best microphones made still cannot match the human ear.    

The sound levels of typical low-power electronic equipment used in surveillance can be estimated by various calculations, and results predict dB levels of < 20dB at 1 foot, but we have never even observed that much. Since most equipment not only has operating frequencies in the 20,000Hz and up range, but also in the audio range, you should be able to hear beeps, buzzes, and whirls when you hold your ear up to the circuit boards. This does not happen except when transducers are in use, or in the limited conditions of the flash power supplies already discussed, which only occasionally produce about 20dB at 1 foot. These levels, even if they are present, are already below the background noise level (indiscernible) at 10 feet or less, note the above formula. A 10-foot radius circle represents only about 1/100,000 of a square mile of woodland -- the statistical rate of animals becoming wary is therefore quite low. 

An associate of ours has designed some of the commercially available ultrasonic animal deterrents, and we have done hundreds of hours of field testing on them. We have researched and developed a good deal of specific knowledge pertaining to ultrasonic and animal hearing issues. For example, on average, testing has revealed that deer look up at 30dB, get nervous at 50dB, and run at 70dB from an ultrasound burst, referenced at the animal's ear. We have also used lab-grade sound measurement equipment near electronics, and we have never seen a measurable audio or ultrasonic signal caused from normal electronic circuits. We have used video cameras, night vision, radio gear, and even infrared lights while observing all types of animals at close range, and have never seen an adverse reaction to the equipment. There are a considerable number of other reasons why an animal will react or become wary.

The main point is that the sound levels of electronic equipment are so low, that we consider them to be completely insignificant. This is speaking of electronics, and not mechanical movements (like solenoids, motors, beepers, and relays), which are noticeably audible. Remember from above, EMI is not sound and cannot be detected naturally by man or beast. After all, before technology arrived, there was no EMI. Therefore, no animal would have any reason or time to evolve sensitivity to it.

Some may have heard about the abilities of animals to sense the Earth's magnetic field. I see how this can cause some confusion, thinking that the animals are reacting to EMI fields. We have heard of birds and fish using the earth's magnetic field, and reacting to electrical fields before earthquakes. All of these fields are static electric or magnetic fields, and are not the dynamic electromagnetic (EMI) fields produced by AC currents in low power electronics.

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Is Bigfoot dangerous? 

If you read enough books and web sites about Bigfoot, you will come across reports where the creature is reported to have: chased people, attacked and maybe even killed people, killed 50-80 sheep in a rampage, thrown large objects at people, to even reports of missing people near areas of supposed activity, and more. The one thing we have to think of is whether or not these reports are real. If people were being killed or attacked on a regular basis, you would think exhaustive searches would be launched. We must remember that cougars, grizzly bears, and wolves were extirpated from the eastern U.S. by hunters searching and killing any animal that threatened or injured man. Can a creature such a Bigfoot be dangerous? Yes, any animal can be dangerous if provoked enough. But, in reality, the majority of reports indicate a shy, docile creature that would rather stay well away from humans. 

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What would Bigfoot eat? 

Bigfoot would probably eat anything a man, bear or raccoon would. What it might eat is dependent on the environment in any specific area. 

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Yeah, but aren't all those people who see Bigfoot crazy? 

Yes, there are many witnesses and researchers with problems. A certain percentage of witnesses and researchers really do have some problems, and they really do see things that are not there. Some people may have been led to think that something is in the area, and certain events can cause them to have imaginations so real that they really believe they saw a physical entity. A wide spectrum of delusionary behavior exists in humanity with varying thresholds required to trigger the behavior. People thought to be completely sane are also effected by such behavior. Note, the case where an experienced and sane hunter, from England, shot and killed his daughter when he vividly saw her as a deer. Psychologists also find that some people, who have a feeling of insignificance or ineptness, may predispose them to odd behavior. To overcome the problem, they may create an imaginary world, and try to convince others of their imaginary world, so they can somehow feel important, famous, or intellectual. There is also a percentage of witnesses that appear to suffer from something like post traumatic stress syndrome after an experience, that causes them to think they have reoccurring experiences, when in actuality, they do not.  There are also a great number of hoaxes, of which we will go into further at a later date. People who create hoaxes have physiological issues as well. Not all witnesses and researchers appear to have psychological problems, however. Many witnesses just see or experience something that completely surprises them to the point of them placing doubt what they have experienced. This leads the witness to often want to learn more about what they have seen or want to investigate and look for evidence to confirm what they seen. All too often, the media promotes people that have real problems, since they are typically the ones to seek out media exposure and have the most dramatic stories - leading to a distorted image of the Bigfoot field. 

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Why not just kill a Bigfoot, then figure it out? 

Hunting to kill any animal, that you do not have a valid license for, is illegal in every state that we know of. It will be unlikely, except during large game season, that you will be carrying a weapon large enough to be effective, since it is often illegal to carry weapons other than what is specified for the license you are carrying. If you think you will somehow convince law enforcement officials that you killed the creature in self defense, while in reality you were hunting it. You better be prepared to answer a lot of detailed questions on why you were carrying a large weapon and just so happened to fear for your life. Law enforcement officials are professionals, and they will see right through your stories. As you see, it is very difficult to just go out and kill a Bigfoot creature without spending time in jail for it. If you think you will become famous and the legal problems will be of little consequence, think again. Just because you killed something doesn't mean you have ownership. While you are sitting in jail, state or federal agencies will assume ownership of the body, and they do not have to inform you of their actions. So, it might be a good idea to develop different concepts of researching Bigfoot. Keep in mind that you may be shooting a person and not a Bigfoot at all.

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What do I do if I find a body or skeletal remains of a Bigfoot? 

The correct scenario would be to immediately mark the area, cover the remains being careful not to disturb the area, note the area so you can return, take photos and video if possible, then immediately notify your state or local, federal wildlife officials. Please use some common sense, and don't bother wildlife officials with unimportant information. Wildlife officials are highly trained and can respond in an appropriate manner. If the remains turn out not to be from a Bigfoot, wildlife officials also collect data on dead animals and will be able to act on the information if a crime was committed. (Once upon a time an Ohio researcher, not us, found remains of a Black Bear in Coshocton County, thinking it was a Bigfoot. Dreams like winning the lottery were seen flashing before their eyes.) If your remains turn out to be human, (please note that 6-9 foot human skeletons are dug up all over the country) wildlife or law enforcement officials would be grateful for your report. The reason is that you can be charged for crimes from tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, to obstruction of justice if you didn't report the find promptly. If you called us to the scene, we would document the find through measurements, photos, video, then report it to the appropriate authorities. Get out of your head, dreams of striking it rich by selling parts to the highest bidders and being famous for the discovery. If you hide the remains and offer it for sale, it would be unlikely you would get any offers due to the great number of hoaxes over the years. If you think that running to the press will somehow protect the discovery, think again, you will most likely create a media circus and most information will be lost, not to mention that the remains will not be able to be hidden and may be stolen. The importance of the find is too critical to take chances. It should be noted that you will not likely hold any legal right to the remains. "Finders keepers" is just naive thinking. If you find it on someone else's private property, it would be their property before it would be yours. If you find it on public land, it would be public property and government officials will take ownership. Even if you find it on your own property, it is likely that government officials will take ownership of the remains due to the importance of the find, and you will have no legal right to change that. Finally, if you are into Bigfoot research to become rich and famous by discovering and selling Bigfoot remains, please get out of the field. There are too many gold diggers in this field making a mockery of the study and scientific research of serious researchers that have only a quest to uncover the truth.

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Since 2002:

Exclusive content from the Ohio / Pennsylvania Bigfoot Research Group.
Copyright © 2001  Ohio / Pennsylvania Bigfoot Research Group. All rights reserved.
Revised: August 04, 2004 .