Stan Courtney

Night Sounds, Pt 3 – Foxes

stancourtney — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:08:36 +0000

There are five species of fox in North America. They are the Red Fox, the Gray Fox, the Kit Fox, the Swift Fox and the Island Fox. The two species most often seen and heard are the Red and Gray Fox.

One afternoon I watched a Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in an alfalfa field in front of my home give an extremely loud and scary vocalization. If I had not seen the sound-maker I would have never guessed that it was an animal as small as a fox.

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Other than coyotes, foxes are the animal that is the most mis-identified with bigfoot / sasquatch sounds. I have spoken with several excited witnesses who just knew what they recorded was a sasquatch but upon listening to their recordings it became evident that it was a fox.

For previous posts about foxes please see:

Distant Screams in the Night

Not So Distant Screams in the Night – Update

The following recordings demonstrate a few of the many sounds the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) uses.

File # 07 – 2009.05.01 – Red Fox # 2
File # 06 – 2009.05.01 – Red Fox # 1
File # 05 – 2009.04.08 – Red Fox # 1
File # 04 – 2009.04.01 – Red Fox # 1
File # 03 – 2007.08.11 – Red Fox # 1
File # 02 – 2007.04.07 – Red Fox # 1
File # 01 – 2007.01.04 – Red Fox # 1

Night Sounds, Pt 2 – Coyotes Coyotes (Canis latrans) have a very wide-spread distribution throughout most...

Night Sounds, Pt 2 – Coyotes

stancourtney — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:25:07 +0000

Coyotes (Canis latrans) have a very wide-spread distribution throughout most of North and Central America. Being such a wide spread species most people have heard coyote howls at sometime during their lifetime. Many researchers believe that sasquatch will join in with coyotes when they are vocalizing. So it is important to become acquainted with typical coyote howls.

For a previous post about coyotes please see: Singing Coyote

What I am presenting here is what I think are representative sounds of coyotes, both as single calls and as group choruses. Later on I will post non-typical howls.

Typical single howls can be heard in the following sound clips:

File # 16 – 2010.03.16 – Howl # 8
File # 15 – 2010.03.16 – Howl # 6
File # 14 – 2010.03.16 – Howl # 5
File # 13 – 2010.03.02 – Howl # 17
File # 12 – 2010.03.02 – Howl # 15
File # 11 – 2010.03.02 – Howl # 14
File # 10 – 2010.03.02 – Howl # 13
File # 09 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 14
File # 08 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 13
File # 07 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 12
File # 06 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 9
File # 05 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 8
File # 04 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 7
File # 03 – 2008.08.30 – Howl # 2
File # 02 – 2008.08.30 – Howl # 1
File # 01 – 2007.01.04 – Howl # 5

The following sequences are choruses of coyotes.

The following sequences have my dog, Belle (a Karelian Bear Dog) joining in.

File # 07 – 2010.03.16 – Howl # 11
File # 06 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 22
File # 05 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 18
File # 04 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 11
File # 03 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 5
File # 02 – 2010.02.01 – Howl # 4
File # 01 – 2006.04.04 – Howl # 2

Night Sounds, Pt 3 – Foxes There are five species of fox in North America. They...
Night Sounds, Pt 1 – Barred Owls Barred Owls (Strix varia) have a very wide-spread distribution throughout...

Night Sounds, Pt 1 – Barred Owls

stancourtney — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:24:53 +0000

Barred Owls (Strix varia) have a very wide-spread distribution throughout the Eastern United States, Eastern Canada and many areas in the West.

I have always held the belief that serious bigfoot researchers should become acquainted with not only the animals in their research areas but also birds and especially owls. Barred Owls make many vocalizations. Other than the familiar “who cooks for you” they also do screams, cackles and monkey like sounds. From the following recording you also notice how active and vocal they can be in the daylight hours.

While on expedition I have been surprised how many researchers are not acquainted with the sounds that Barred Owls most commonly use. Screams are one such vocalization that people confuse with other animals.

(Hopefully I will be able to add a picture to this page.)

The typical Barred Owl scream can be heard in the following sound clips:

File # 47 – 2010.04.15 – Barred Owl # 1
File # 26 – 2009.05.22 – Barred Owl # 1
File # 24 – 2009.05.07 – Barred Owl # 1
File # 01 – 2007.01.04 – Barred Owl # 1

Single or double calls can be heard in the following sound clips:

File # 46 – 2010.03.16 – Barred Owl # 1
File # 38 – 2009.05.29 – Barred Owl # 3
File # 37 – 2009.05.29 – Barred Owl # 2
File # 25 – 2009.05.10 – Barred Owl # 1
File # 18 – 2009.04.30 – Barred Owl # 4
File # 14 – 2009.04.27 – Barred Owl # 1
File # 13 – 2009.04.23 – Barred Owl # 2
File # 11 – 2009.04.22 – Barred Owl # 1
File # 09 – 2009.04.18 – Barred Owl # 2
File # 07 – 2009.04.11 – Barred Owl # 1

Below is a listing of Barred Owls that I have recorded here in Central Illinois.

Night Sounds, Pt 2 – Coyotes Coyotes (Canis latrans) have a very wide-spread distribution throughout most...
Night Sounds, Pt 3 – Foxes There are five species of fox in North America. They...

Cemeteries and Squatches, Pt. 2

stancourtney — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 01:35:06 +0000

Sighting reports continue to come in involving possible sasquatch activity in and around cemeteries. It has always been my opinion that there is nothing special about cemeteries other than the fact that squatches can come in close and observe humans and still be able to stay hidden in the dense undergrowth. In Illinois there are thousands of small rural cemeteries located in the woods.

[photo by Stan Courtney]

A remote cemetery in rural Shelby County, Illinois

I wrote previously on this subject last summer. Please see: Cemeteries & Ghosts & Squatches.

Chris Mason recently contacted me and related the many things he and other paranormal investigators have been hearing at a small rural cemetery in Sheby County, Illinois. So on the 7th of August, 2010 I spent the night listening and recording with Chris and several of his friends in a wonderful wooded setting. I have been unable to find any previous references to sasquatch sightings in this Central Illinois county.

[photo by Larry Wilson]

The following is a short on-site interview with Chris Mason and Larry Wilson, both members of Ghost Magnet. They tell of some of the unusual sounds heard over the last several years at this location. Larry relates that interviews with cemetery caretakers reveal strange events, such as equipment being moved around. The authorities also have problems keeping caretakers, the common complaint being “the feeling of being watched”.

Click here to listen to the interview: Cemeteries and Squatches, Pt. 2

In summary some of the unusual sounds and events have been:

Woodknocks

Logs being thrown

Screams

Loud whistles

Yells

Voices

Drumming

Walnuts being thrown at investigators.

Bluff charges

While walking the long country lane that leads into the cemetery Chris found what appears to be a large barefoot footprint, 14 inches long and 6 inches wide. I could see all the imprints from the toes. The print, which was in mud alongside the road appeared to be several weeks old.

[photo by Chris Mason]

The “barefoot” print was 14 inches by 6 inches.

In conclusion: A big thank to Chris Mason and Larry Wilson for their hospitality. Although I was not personally able to hear anything unusual the finding of the lone footprint was a great find. I left two remote recorders running in the woods and picked them up a week later. I recorded lots of singing birds. The only thing unusual was the container that I keep my recorder in had the lid pulled up on it. This was during the daytime.

Click here to listen to the sound clip: Lid of container being lifted up.

Acoustic Attraction – Pt. 4 If you are in a remote site and not sure...

Media Article – Cook County, Illinois – # 2

stancourtney — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:37:10 +0000

Wednesday, December 31, 1890

MAYWOOD’S WHAT-IS-IT.

Chicago Inter Ocean

A Strange Creature Has Been Prowling Around the Desplaines River.

Those Who Have Run Across the Thing Like It to the Traditional Wild Man.

All Efforts to Hunt It to Its Haunts Have So Far Proved in Vain.

IS IT THE WILD MAN OF BORNEO?

Maywood has a mystery, and through it that usually peaceful little suburb bids fair to

become quite notorious.

Something over a week ago a rumor was started in Maywood that a bear or some

animal very much resembling one, had been seen on the Desplaines River bank, just

below the village. Several times this story was repeated, and at last it was

determined to organize a hunting party to search for the animal. In a day or two,

as the party had not materialized, those who intended to go made up their minds

that they had been hoaxed, and so the entire matter was dropped.

Christmas day the Des Plaines River was crowded with skaters. They covered the ice

from Harlem to Turner Park, and were happy as they were numerous. In the crowd

that kept close to the Northwestern railroad bridge, between River Forest and

UNDER FIRST AVENUE BRIDGE

Maywood, was a party of young people from North Clark street. Charles Gardner, a

clerk on the Board of Trade, was one of the number, and as he was anxious not to

miss the next train he went ashore below the railroad bridge, removed his skates

and commenced to pick his way a small path which led

TOWARD THE MAYWOOD PARK

This was through a very thick undergrowth, and led directly to a small bridge on

First avenue, spanning a ravine which runs the entire length of the park, running

into the river about two hundred feet from the small bridge.

As Gardner approached the bridge he was startled by hearing what sounded to

him like a moan or a growl. Looking up he saw at the foot of one of the piers of

the bride (sp) something which he first took to be a man. The figure was seated

on a projecting rock and was partially concealed behind the thick weed that

surround the spot. It was peering through the tops of the weeds, and the face,

as the startled man saw it, was that of a monster. It had a low heavy brow, over

which hung hair that was coarse and matted. Its eyebrows were heavy and long,

and the head seemed to be set low down on the chest, so high and massive were

the huge shoulders. The entire face was covered with bushy hair, and as Gardiner

looked in fright and wonder, a huge arm was lifted to grasp the wall as the

creature rose. That was all the young man wanted to see. He tore his way up the

steep bank, rushed to the depot nearly half a mile away, and boarded his train

just as it was about to leave.

Then he laughed at himself. He imagined that he had probably seen some

FOOTPRINTS NEAR HARLEM:

unfortunate tramp taking a rest under the bridge and had, in the excitement of

the unexpected vision, drawn for himself the vivid picture his mind so well

retained. He said nothing at all about the matter until Sunday, when he was again

at Maywood for a day’s skating. With a few friends he met on the ice he landed

near the spot, picked his way to the bridge, and related what he had seen. Of

course he was laughed at until some in the party ventured under the bridge

where they saw, lying among the some small rocks, two pieces of ragged

clothing. Other traces were also visible of the place having been recently

visited by something, and Gardner’s story was at once believed.

IN THE MEANTIME

the mysterious creature had been seen and heard by other people. John

Haberlein, Hans Monns, and Sam Hamburg, three Germans living near Turner

Park, had heard from some boys that some wolves or bears were prowling

up and down the river. Friday they started out with guns and dogs and

carefully scoured both banks of the river from Turner Park almost to Harlem,

but they saw nothing alive, although in the sand on the river bank, near

Harlem, they ran across some strange looking footprints, which led from the ice

to the bank of the river. These tracks resembled somewhat those of a bear, but

the peculiar imprints of the toes at once proved that they were not made by any

Bruin in existence. The hunters followed these footprints until they were lost in

the weeds, and a thorough search of every nook and ravine in the vicinity failed

to bring to light the object which made the marks. The hunters told their story

in Maywood, and the people who had before heard of the mysterious prowling

ON THE ICE NEAR WALLER’S

thing were now thoroughly alarmed, and in many instances parents forbade

children skating on the river, so afraid were they that the animal, or man, or

whatever it was, might do some injury to the little folks.

Late last Saturday night Henry Phillips and R.A. Lewis, two young me who

board in River Forest, went over to Maywood to call on some young ladies.

They were walking home after their visit and when on the West Lake street

wagon bridge, stopped to look at a passenger train that was crossing the

railroad bridge just below. They saw the train pass, and then looked up and

down the river. The moon was shining brightly, and the reflected glitter

from the ice made the picture a pretty one,

AS THE TWO YOUNG MEN

leaned over the railing of the bridge and discussed the possibilities of the ice

losing its charm for skaters, one of them happened to look up the river.

Above the bridge about a half mile is a bend in the river. It is where

Mr. E.C. Waller’s beautiful home rests on the bank of the Desplaines River.

The action of the current here in this bend is gradually wearing away the

bank, and Mr. Waller is constructing a huge wall to protect his property.

Dams are erected there, but the work on the wall has ceased for the winter

months. Around these dams on the ice lie boards and barrels and pieces

of stone, mixed up in the confusion in which they were left when the

workmen stopped. The moonlight, shining on the ice, was broken at these

dams, the shadows of the trees and rocks and boards at the bend giving

a pretty contrast to the glimmer of the rest of river’s frozen surface.

As the two young men watched the ice they saw a movement on the icy

surface at the bend. Without being aware that the other was looking at the

moving object each watched the figure until they broke out at the same

instant with a remark that some fellow must like skating very well to be

out alone at that time of night.

COMING OUT OF HIS LAIR

They both laughed, and as they did the figure drew away from the bend

and made its way down the river toward the two watchers. It came very

slowly and appeared to be carrying something. As it approached the

bridge the young men could see very distinctly that it was not a skater.

It took long, regular, but very slow strides, and at each step a clacking

sound could be heard as is some loose shoe sole was coming in contact

with the smooth ice at every step. On the shoulder of the queer looking

figure was a piece of board, and as it slouched along the young men

carefully watched. The moonlight was brilliant, and as the object drew

nearer and nearer the bridge the general outline became more and

more distinct.

The reflection from the ice threw its ray on the features of the strange

looking midnight marauder, and as it came nearer and nearer to the

young men they were almost horror-stricken at its appearance. The

figure was that of a man, big, brawny and muscular, but whether

covered with hair or clothes was hard to discern. It wore no hat, and

its white hands, as one hung by its side and the other grasped the

burden on its shoulder, were in great contrast to the dark face, black

hair and peculiar looking body. The head seemed scarcely higher

than the shoulders, and as the creature moved along, a peculiar

hissing sound came from it, as if it were breathing through its teeth.

BOTH SPECTATORS WERE BADLY FRIGHTENED

as the fearful looking creature drew nearer. When it halted under the

bridge, or a little to one side of it, and directly in full view of the

ONE OF HIS HAUNTS

watchers, it dropped its burden. It seemed to be fearful of

something, and looked around in every direction. The young men

crouched on the floor of the bridge and peered cautiously over

the edge of rail. The Thing hissed and mumbled as it stood there,

and Lewis became so badly frightened that he almost yelled

outright, and was only stopped by the strong hand-clasp of

his friend.

In a few moments a movement was heard on the ice. The figure

had stooped down and was replacing its load on its shoulder.

After having done this it remained motionless for a few

seconds, and then moved under the bridge. It was lost to the

sight of the two men for an instant, and then it emerged from

the shadow and moved on down the river, the peculiar

clacking sound being kept up. They saw it pass under the

railroad bridge and watched it move on down toward Harlem

until it was lost to view around the bend of the river just

below.

Just as Lewis and Phillips had reached the end of the bridge

on their homeward way, and were discussing the strange sight

they had seen, they were again startled by hearing a loud cry.

They concluded they had seen enough for one night, and agreed

that the sound they had just heard had been made by some

night bird or animal. They were quite nervous, anyhow, and as

Lewis was especially anxious to go to his home, it was with

difficulty that his friend could persuade him to wait a few

moments to see if anything would appear.

They did not wait long. From under the railroad bridge shot

the same figure they had just lost sight of. It was moving

rapidly, and was without the burden it had carried when last

seen. It rushed to the center of the space between the two

bridges and sat or crouched on a small rock that showed

above the surface of the ice, where it remained for a few

seconds, hissing through its teeth and waving its long arms

around as if to ward off some pursuer or enemy. Only for a few

seconds did the mysterious creature remain in this position.

Then it rose and slowly moved toward the west bank of the

river.

IT PAUSED AGAIN

when it reached the edge of the ice, and seemed to be looking

in the direction of the two watchers, who had cautiously moved

nearer the center of the bridge. It seemed to shade its eyes

with a big white hand, and then, after a long pause, turned and

commenced to climb up the bank. This part of the shore was

in shadow, being covered with weeds and trees, and for some

time the creature was lost to the view of the watching and

anxious men, but when it reached the top it was again

easily seen, the figure being silhouetted in bold relief against

the white barn which stands near the top.

Close to the bank of the river at this are two straw stacks owned

by Farmer Nicholson. They had been cut into, and both are

propped up by means of long poles and beams. Going to the

nearest of these the figure cautiously crawled under one of the

props, arranged some straw for a pillow, and lay down. From

where the two men were watching, just a dark outline of the

figure could be discerned, but it was indistinct and blurred.

The young men at once started for their homes, and the next

morning told their story to Howard Davis, a young book agent,

who lives in River Forest, who it turn recited it to a reporter

for THE INNER OCEAN. Young Gardner was found by the

reporter, and a visit to Maywood disclosed the fact than many

prominent persons had heard of the mysterious figure, but

were inclined not to place much credence in the theory that

there is much of a mystery to the matter. They are inclined

to think that these people have seen a big dog or some other

animal, and have allowed their imagination to get away with

them amid the mysterious surroundings.

Mr. William Rausch, of the Maywood pharmacy, has heard some

talk about the mystery, but is inclined to think that there is

nothing very dreadful about it. He does not know Lewis or

Phillips, nor is acquainted with Davis, who is a reliable young

businessman. Others think that there is some mystery

surrounding this strange creature, and if traces of him are

seen again an effort will be made to capture him.

Is he one of the men who have so strangely disappeared from

Chicago during the past year, or merely some able-bodied

tramp fantastically arrayed is the question asked by those

who have come in contact with him, directly or indirectly.

Media Article – Cook County, Illinois – # 1 Saturday, December 10, 1977 Spokesman Review What Readers Say Sasquatch...
Media Article – Morgan County, Illinois – # 1 Thursday, June 12, 1890 Stackmer’s Bend Wild Man Davenport (Iowa) Morning Tribune STACKMER’S...

Infra-sound in the Blues

stancourtney — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:32:45 +0000

Disclaimer – many researchers have experienced and discussed what they assume to be infra-sound associated with sasquatch encounters. I am not knowledgeable enough on the subject of infra-sound nor do I have scientific evidence to prove what I experienced on the evening of the 18th of July, 2010 in the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington State. With that in mind I will attempt to relate what I experienced.

——————————————————————————————————————

While on an expedition in the Washington Cascades I mentioned to Kevin Jones that I was going to camp in the Blue Mountains near where Paul Freeman had procured a possible sasquatch video. Vance Orchard wrote two volumes about bigfoot in this area, ” Bigfoot of the Blues” in 1993 and ”Walla Walla Bigfoot” in 2001. Kevin reminded me that the Blues was where he had experienced several infra-sound episodes. I asked if he would mind sharing with me his campsite location as I would like to camp there. He showed me on a map the exact location and I entered it into my GPS.

I would guess that I was a little nervous as I drove up to the campsite. Part of the dirt road was so steep that I slipped my Jeep Rubicon into low 4-wheel drive to finish the climp. My ancestors had traveled to Oregon on the Oregon Trail in 1880 and eventually settled in the Blues on the Oregon side. I have often wondered if there were stories of the original pioneers that had been whispered but never written down.

General location of one section of the Blue Mountains that straddles the Washington-Oregon line. On the map one can see the little settlement of Promise that my great-great-grandfather helped found in pioneer days.

At the campsite overlooking the Mill Creek Watershed Area that is “off-limits” to protect the water supply for Walla Walla, Washington.

Several different types of signs that warn the public to stay out! The watershed is the area Paul Freeman had been hired to patrol by the Forest Service when he had his first bigfoot sighting.

The opposite side of the road looking into much denser stands of pines.

(photo taken back home showing the external loud speakers)

I would be spending the night in my Jeep Rubicon specially outfitted with outdoor speakers and an extra stereo and amplifier system. When I arrived around 4 p.m. I was excited that the site afforded both an open expanse into the watershed as well as a heavier wooded area on the opposite of the road. If anything was going to approach during the night it had plenty of cover to do so.

I walked several miles up and down the dusty road looking for prints and hopefully making my presence known to any of the local inhabitants. While walking a side by side ATV came speeding through. The driver, an older gentleman did not look too friendly as he drove by. About an hour later the ATV was coming back and I positioned myself so that he might stop and talk. He slowed to a stop and I could see that it was probably one of the local ranchers. I asked if the road continued on through (as the topo map suggested). He said no, there was a gate around the corner and I was on private property. He stated that he and his wife had gone about a mile further and checked a pond where they found cougar and black bear tracks.

The wife was more friendly and inquired as to what I was doing. I explained that I was doing audio recording and she asked if it was for wolves as just across the border wolves have been taking livestock in Wallowa County, Oregon. I answered no I was actually attempting to record sasquatch vocalizations. She laughed nervously and stated that she didn’t believe they existed. I replied that lots of tracks had been found in the Blues. At that the husband looked up and stated that several years ago he had seen an 8 feet tall hairy upright walking animal cross the road kind of slouched over. He said the next day several dozen cars had come out and were making casts of footprints.

It turns out that I did have a recording of the conversation, however the microphones were a hundred feet away so the quality is poor.

Click here: Blue Mt sighting

I asked him if he had reported it and he said no and that he had no desire to.

It turns out that both the road I was on and the property where I was camping belonged to the Forest Service and I had every right to be there.

The roads had a deep accumulation of dust that made looking for footprints easier.

I continued with my plan. As the sun was not quite down I picked up an electronic megaphone and pointed it towards the deep canyons of the Watershed. The sound echoed across the vast expanse but I heard nothing. I did this three times and leaned up against the jeep. Several minutes passed and I started to feel a slight tingling all over. I thought ‘Well if this is what infra-sound feels like they must be quite a distance away.’ I could not see or hear anything unusual, although the rancher’s wife did comment on how my dog kept starring into the woods across the road.

Several minutes later I retreated to the safety (however futile) of the Jeep. I watched as the sun went down and waited until 9:15 p.m. and it was close to dark. Then I used my iPod Touch to play three Tahoe Screams through the outdoor speakers and the extra stereo and amplifier system. I had my audio recorder running. One microphone was placed about 40 feet from me overlooking the Watershed and another microphone was placed on the top of the jeep to hopefully record anything that approached. Kevin Jones had told me that this area was very quiet as to vocals so I did not really expect to hear anything.

I lay there several minutes and not hearing anything I quickly fell asleep. It seemed that I had only been asleep about an hour when I felt something that is difficult for me to describe. It started on my left side and quickly spread throughout my body. It did not feel electrical but mechanical. Sort of like laying on a vibrating bed or someone placing a large hand vibrator against my side. But the vibrations were internal, it felt like it was uniform throughout my whole body. It is hard to recall but it seemed to last maybe 30 seconds and stop for about 10 seconds. It would start up again. I think this happened about four times. My only thoughts were ‘well, be careful what you wish for.” I did not feel anxious, or have any fear. After it stopped I slept very soundly and did not wake up until it started to get light around 5:00 a.m. My dog did not have any reactions.

I walked up and down the road looking for tracks but could find none. The road towards the timber was moister, there was no dust and it would have been easy for something to cross the road without leaving an imprint.

Later that day I spoke with Kevin and related to him my experience. Some of the details were not what I expected. Kevin responded “Stan, I don’t tell people completely what the experience feels like so that when they tell me their experience is, it can be compared to my own.” That way one’s imaginations can not run rampant and come up with something that didn’t really happen.

I have listened to my recordings but need to review them again.

I did find one possible wood-knock at around 12:15 a.m.

Click here: Possible wood-knock

Conclusion – it is certainly a new experience for me. I don’t have any answers. And I try not to figure out why, if this is a sasquatch, what is their purpose? Is it to intimidate? Or is it simply to immobilize so that they approach the camp, look around, investigate and not be seen?

You can never get totally away from civilization, I found this church bulletin laying half buried in the road.

Footprints in the Snow When I first became involved in sasquatch research my wife’s...

Sasquatch Phonetic Alphabet

stancourtney — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:33:00 +0000

One of the most important developments in the last couple of years is the research of R.Scott Nelson, retired Navy linguist.

Scott has spoken at several conferences and has been the guest on at least two bigfoot internet radio shows. These can be listened to here:

Bigfoot Quest

Nitecallers

Scott recently sent out documents for other researchers to post.

================================================================================

Fm: R. Scott Nelson

To: Sasquatch Research Community

Re: Sasquatch Phonetic Alphabet (SPA) (attached)

Since I became involved in Sasquatch research a little over two years ago, I have received dozens of e-mails from around the country involving first-hand witness accounts, many containing recorded audio files, of perceived Sasquatch Language. Virtually all of these have included an attempt to spell out Sasquatch “words” using Standard English. This is of little value to the language researcher, since English is notoriously non-phonetic and is subject to widely-varied local dialects.

Since our ultimate goal is the recovery of Sasquatch Language, I have found it necessary to establish a phonetic alphabet and transcription standard (based on the transcription of the Berry/Morehead tapes), by which the contrast and comparison of all future suspected language can be facilitated.

To this end, as an invaluable tool in the future of Sasquatch Language research, I am requesting that the attached standard be published on research web-sites and that it be copied and distributed freely. With this, I am also requesting that local investigators begin using this alphabet as soon as possible to accurately document any perceived Sasquatch Language.

This standard should not be limited to first-hand witness accounts or recordings from North America, but should be used by investigators world-wide, since most languages have many of the same non-phonetic characteristics as English. The work is written in the style of a military SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).

It is my belief that there is nothing more important, at this early stage of Sasquatch Language study, than to standardize the documentation of evidence.

With highest regard for all those engaged in the work of Sasquatch recognition;

R. Scott Nelson

20 June 2010

================================================================================

Sasquatch Phonetic Alphabet . and Transcription Standard

Submitted by R. Scott Nelson

The Sasquatch Phonetic Alphabet (SPA) will alternately be known by the more formal denomination, Unclassified Hominid Phonetic Alphabet (UHPA), until such time as the subject Being is scientifically classified, or documented linguistic contact has been established. “Sasquatch” is used here as a generally accepted term for the subject Being. A variation of the English Reformed Phonetic Alphabet is used, as transcribed from the Berry/Morehead Tapes (BMT).

The existence of the Sasquatch Being is hereby assumed, since any creature must exist before his language. Any argument for the existence of Sasquatch or his language should be given outside of this standard and outside any transcription endeavor that uses this standard. Transcripts should stand alone as tools for the language researcher; whereas SPA transcripts and excerpts should be freely used in other works to support linguistic arguments.

The purpose of this is to standardize all future transcription of suspected Sasquatch Language and to facilitate comparison of language articulations by future researchers; the ultimate goal being the recovery of Sasquatch Language.

Sasquatch Language is spoken approximately twice as fast as any known language in most analyzed recordings, therefore it must be slowed down to be transcribed accurately. 50% of real-time will be the standard; transcription at any other speed will be noted, e.g. (75%). Real-time will be noted as (rt). Tape-time hacks will be given as minute:second.1/100^thsecond, e.g. 17:23.54.

Since this is an unknown language, transcribed for the first time, the grammar and syntax of it, likewise, cannot be known. Therefore, to differentiate between small and capital letters is useless and misleading. Sasquatch articulations will be transcribed using capital letters, human voices are to be transcribed by the standards of the language that is spoken (proper English, Russian, etc.). This eases reading of the transcripts when human and Sasquatch voices are mixed or alternating. Since words cannot be known, and only suspected in cognates, Sasquatch utterances will be given as individual morphemes (or syllables). An umlaut (Ä) is used rather than a macron (-) to avoid confusion with the English use of the same symbol.

Small letters within parenthesis will be used, in accordance with military transcription standards, to abbreviate specific notes, e.g. (2-3m) to mean (two or three words or morphemes are missing or inaudible here). Untranscribable vocalizations such as grunts or screams will be noted with capital letters within parenthesis, e.g. (G) or (SC). An abbreviation key follows the phonetics key.

Any document using this alphabet should be labeled (SPA) or (UHPA).

Use in first-hand witness accounts:

This alphabet is not intended to be used solely for the transcription of recorded language, but will be highly useful in first-hand witness accounts of Sasquatch phenomena where the witness perceived spoken language. Researchers, when documenting witness accounts, should endeavor to transcribe each Sasquatch utterance as accurately as possible using this alphabet. As an invaluable aid to the language researcher, several questions should be asked of the witness to correlate with the utterances of the Sasquatch Being:

What was occurring at the moment of each specific utterance?

How many Sasquatch Beings do you believe were present; how many were speaking?

Did you feel that the Sasquatch Beings were speaking to each other or to you (the witness)?

What do you think the Being was trying to communicate?

What do you feel was the emotional state of the Being (for each specific utterance)?

Was there interrogative inflection in the utterance (did it sound like a question)?

Was there imperative or command inflection in the utterance (did it sound like the Being was telling you or another Sasquatch to do or not do something)?

___

This alphabet is expected to grow as additional verified recordings of Sasquatch Language are collected and analyzed, and new extra-human articulations are documented. For example; the well-documented howls, whoops, growls, screams and whistles of Sasquatch may someday be found to have linguistic meaning; wood- and rock-knocking or tooth-popping may be found to be encoded. It should not be discounted that manipulated tree, limb and stick formations could be graphic expressions of Sasquatch Language, much like runic or pictographic human writing systems.

Since auditory perception is subject to the same limitations of all human perception, review and revision of any transcript by other qualified Crypto-Linguists or voice- transcription experts should be welcomed. With the recovery of Sasquatch Language being the anticipated outcome, cooperation and consensus between language researchers should be the first rule of this study.

The first two pages of Berry Tape I transcription are attached as an example of the prescribed usage of this alphabet.

Phoneme Key

Ä = a in father

A = a in can

B = b in bib

D = d in did

Ë = a in make

E = e in set

F = f in fife

G = g in gag

H = h in ham

Ï = i in machine, ee in meet

I = i in sit

J = y in yes, i in union

K = k in kite, c in cut

L = l in lull

M = m in mom

N = n in nine

Ö = o in lone

O = o in log

P = p in pipe

R = r in roar

Rr = rolled r, as in Spanish or in Scottish Brogue

S = s in sister

T = t in tight

Ü = u in plume, oo in boot

U = u in run, o in union

V = v in verve

W = w in way

Y = oo in book

Z = z in zebra, s in is

′ = glottal stop

c = tongue click, not evident in BMT

> = phoneme drawn out

Compound Phonemes

ÄÏ = i in like, y in my

JÜ = as in you, u in fume

KH = ch in Scottish loch, x in Spanish Quixote, x in Russian (khah)

SJ = sh in shirt

TSJ = ch in church

ZJ = z in azure, s in treasure

DZJ = j in jail, g in age

NG = ng in sing

Δ (Greek Delta) = th in then

Θ (Greek Theta) = th in thin

Abbreviation Key

(rt) = transcribed at real-time

(75%) = transcribed at a speed other than 50%

(h) = human vocalization

(1-2m) = one or two words or syllables are missing or inaudible here

(int) = interrogative inflection

(dr) = Inflected as a direct response

(imp) = imperative inflection

(w) = whispered

(q) = very low audibility, quiet, almost imperceptible at normal speeds

(im) = human imitating a creature

(ma) = possible male Sasquatch Being

(fe) = possible female Sasquatch Being

(ju) = possible juvenile Sasquatch Being

(G) = grunt, growl or grumble, possible language

(W) = whistle or squeak, possible language

(SN) = snarl, possible language

(SC) = scream, possible language

(TP5) = tooth pop, number in sequence, possible language, not evident in BMT

(WK3) = wood knock, number in sequence, possible language

(RK4) = rock knock, number in sequences, possible language

BERRY TAPE I

Transcribed by R. Scott Nelson

Time Utterance

0:4.5 (W) (W)

0:8.62 (W) (W) (W)

0:15.11 RAM HO BÄ RÜ KHÄ HÜ

0:16.70 WAM VO HÜ KHÖ KHU′

0:17.52 NÖ U PLÄ MEN TI KHU

0:18.82 NÄR LÄ

0:20.21 NA GÖ KÜ STEP GÄ KÜ BLEM

0:21.25 Ü KÜ DZJÄ

0:21.76 FRrÄP E KHÜK LE

0:22.65 ÜN Ï KÜ O GÜ AKH (int)

0:23.85 DÖ WÄÏ NÖ (dr)

0:24.52 MÜ Ï FWI KÖ PÏ KHU′ SJ΄

0:31.43 (ma) HU Ö NÖ> KHÄ HÜ

0:32.95 PLEN DÜTSJ TISJ

0:33.61 SÏ DZJAÖ GLÖ PÜ MËKH

0:34.90 PÄ KHÏ KÖ DÜ TÜ SEKSÏ

0:35.88 WA HEP DÜ TSJE DÜ FU HEP

0:36.95 (ma) FI KÜ ÄÏ> KHÜ′

0:44.80 FÄ LIP ÄBÄSJ KHU′

0:45.03 NE VER GÖ ΄ ÖM KHU′

0:47.03 FÖ WÄ Ï>

0:48.08 WA KHU΄ KVÄM

0:49.16 ITS KÄÏM VÄR US FO RI ZIS TENS

0:51.27 MÖ> FER BÏ KEN JÄ Ä VÄÖN SÏ RYK MI RO GHAP –

GÏ GO WYP

0:53.66 MÏ WÄTSJ FYD PLËN FYD NÜ AÖ> KHE KHU′

0:55.34 NÖ ÄÏ ÄKHSJ HÜ

0:57.13 (h) Come on, boy.

0:58.04 (h) Come on, let’s eat.

1:00.93 BÏ KAER FYL NAÖ PRÖS GYD

1. NÖÄ Ö JA LET KHE

1. MÖÏ PISJ FE KHE KHU′

(h) Come on.

1:11.58 KHU BEK

1:12.63 KHËÄ KHU′

1:13.77 Ä LÄF

1:14.46 MÖ VE KHÜ

1:14.86 LAF KHU′

1:15.35 NÖ KHÏÄ

1:16.01 KHÖ VË ÄER ZÏ RÄ KIL WÄ KÜ ′ÜSJ

1:17.49 BÜ GÄ TÄÏSJ KHU′

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Bilby-Phillips Gamecam Photo, Part 3 – Final Thoughts

stancourtney — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:28:20 +0000

Dr. Anthony Ciani

For my take of the UHS subject, it is probably a uniform color, although the
pixels in the scan are about the width any camo pattern would have, which
could blur the pattern across pixels, but not by much.  The transparency
slide I saw appeared to have no patterning at all, and looked uniform.  I
tried searching through some camo patterns in a couple of catalogs, and
there were none which had that overall dark gray color. Almost every pattern
possessed high contrasts, and very few had colors different from greens and
earth tones, usually being blues.  The only "gray" camo patterns were
digital camos, like those used in ACUs, which are light in color. The color
is very much a dark color, likely a gray, possibly a slightly silvery
black, but not the jet black used in clothing.

The raised foot appears to be bare.  There appears to be nothing covering the
face, and the area around the face looks to be a lighter color, but still
grayish and dark.

After studying the slide and high-res scans, it seems that the UHS itself is
a dark color.  The coloration of leaves hanging behind the UHS is visible,
particularly red-orange tints.  The scene lacks much in the way of green and
blue objects.  If the UHS had color, the flash appears to have been sufficient
to show it.

The UHS appears to be carrying another UHS, but this could be a trick due to
a color variation on the UHS object itself.  Still, the right arm appears to
be beneath the second UHS, supporting it.

The sources of the bright spots are still unclear, but may be due to dust
adhering to the film, possibly during processing.  These could also have been
dust particles nearer to the camera when the picture was taken, although they
do seem to be on the UHS.

As for being a human, outside of a costume, the face appears to have
characteristics which are outside normal human traits.  The eyes are visible
and appear large and dark.  The nose also appears to have rather large nostrils.
There is enough clarity to make comparisons of anatomic ratios.  The legs are
too short, comprising about 40% of the total height. A human leg should be 50%,
or a little more.  The arms are too long.  If relaxed at the sides, the tip of
the fist would be midway between the crotch and the knee.  A human fist should
be close to the crotch.  The total length of the arm and fist is approximately
the same as the length of the leg from the hip.  The humerus to femur ratio is
approximately 1.1:1, a human should be 0.7:1.  The femur to tibia ratio is
difficult to determine, but may be 1.2:1, which is consistent across humans and
all of the great apes (although gorillas and orangs tend to have slightly longer
femurs).  If the subject were 5'6" tall, then the shoulders would be 27 inches
across.  The hips also seem wide for a human, but could be on the upper end for
human females.  If this is a human, it is a very deformed one.  The ratios are
consistent with "less evolved" apes.

As for being a hoax.  This does present a possibility, although difficult. To
obtain the ratios measured in the image, the head of the actor would need to be
beneath the head of the costume, between the large "trapezium" muscles.  The
shoulder width is fully outside a human capability, so the arms would be entirely
prosthetic, with the actor's arms inside the torso. The hips would likely have
require padding.  The feet would be simple to do up.  The figure is clearly not
in a stable position, and so must have been walking (or anchored).

It is also possible that this is a mannequin, a construction, which is easier to
build for a still photo than a complicated costume.  I was furnished with a
Picture CD that contained all of the pictures from that film strip.  There were
25 images (typical for a 24 exposure strip), and they seemed to be in order, in
sets of 4, as is typical of 35mm film.  The image with the UHS was at the
beginning of a strip. Unless they were conveniently cut at a boundary, or the
camera deactivated, there were no images of someone setting up a mannequin.
There were images from the camera being setup and removed (it was relocated at
one point), but not every time. Also, at some point, an additional game camera
was added in the view of the first (it can be seen on a tree to the right of the
UHS). No pictures were taken of that camera being setup.  That second camera did
take some pictures, but failed to advance the film properly.  So a mannequin
could have been setup, without any pictures of it, either by the owners
deactivating the camera, or by hoaxers who stayed out of sensor range.

As for being an unclassified ape species.  No problem, if you will allow yourself
to accept that such a thing has remained hidden from scientists, or scientists
have been obtuse to its existence, for such a long time. Although, if you
consider that such a thing only remained hidden from science for about 100 years
mid 1850's until 1967), then it does not seem all that implausible, as there are
species which evaded the hunter's bullet during several hundred years of
exploration, on all continents. That such an animal remained hidden [from science]
for 100 years seems an unimpressive feat.  That science has chosen to ignore it
for over 40 years, is truly disturbing.  I may prefer the idea of a hoax, lest
science be shamed.

Bilby-Phillips Gamecam Photo, Part 2 – Analysis by Dr. Anthony Ciani Stan – Dr.Ciani contacted me by email and offered to...
Bilby-Phillips Gamecam Photo, Part 1 Recently I was sent this photo Bilby – Phillips who...
Thoughts on “That Strange Anomoly” Tim Baker I’ve listened to the Illinois and Colorado howls...

Idaho – 48 in ‘08

stancourtney — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:33:37 +0000

Idaho was my fifteenth stop squatchin’ in all statess and provinces. I was invited to go squatchin’ with John, a local researcher in Northern Idaho.

A possible tree twist/break at about the 6 feet level.

A possible 10 inch print.

On the 19th of June, 2010 we camped in the mountains of Northern Idaho. John shares his experiences since researching in this area since 2002.

Thanks for allowing me to tag along John!

To listen to a complete audio recording of this segment click here:
Idaho – 48 in ‘08

Are you interested in being part of this project?

John Green’s Database Now Online For over 60 years John Green of Harrison Hot Springs,...

“You don’t shoot Mongo. You make Mongo mad.”

stancourtney — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:52:57 +0000

Recently I searched through a lot of newspaper articles for the state of Illinois in reference to bigfoot / sasquatch sightings. The county with the most reports is Jackson County and includes at least thirty articles.

The thirty articles can be read at Illinois Bigfoot Media Reports.

Something that caught my eye while going through these articles was the statement made by the Chicago Tribune in Bigfoot believers – what do they believe? that “the “Mud Monster” — which was also nicknamed “Mongo,” by some locals.” The Tribune referenced three previous articles:

Muddy Monster Returns – Group reports Murphysboro encounter – June 1988

A Monster of an Idea to Boost Tourism – October 30, 2003

Haunted Southern Illinois: Region full of the scary, bizarre, and freaky phenomena – October 30, 2004

Each of these articles did repeat the “Mongo” statement. What I thought odd was that the statement is a famous line out of the movie Blazing Saddles, the very popular movie directed by Mel Brooks that was released in 1974.

The character Jim ( portrayed by Gene Wilder) tells Bart, the sheriff (portrayed by Cleavon Little) as he is strapping on his gun while referencing Mongo (portrayed by Alex Karras):

“No, no, don’t do that, don’t do that. If you shoot him, you’ll just make him mad.” This scene can be viewed on YouTube: Blazing Saddles – Mongo

However the sightings of the “Murphysboro Big Muddy Monster” started in July of 1973, a whole year before the movie Blazing Saddles was released. The first reference that I can find using the term “Mongo” is fourteen years after the rash of sightings in the early ’70’s. What I am implying is that the later articles added a well known phrase out of a popular movie but not something that the people of Murphysboro used in their conversations about the “Monster”.

Media Article – Union County, Illinois – # 1 Saturday, December 07, 1985 Reliving the tale of the Big Muddy Monster By...
Media Article – Jackson County, Illinois – # 21 Thursday, November 6, 2003 Time for the Big Muddy Monster...