Baiting
Information on baiting from the Track Record newsletter
By Ray Crowe


This could be considered a Bigfoot Alert due to the content, which is simple. Readers must have noticed the large number of sightings recently that are associated with baiting. If you want to see and study these rare creatures a la Goodall/Fossey, you have to bait them over a period of time. This newsletter has comments about baiting by John Horrigan...last newsletter by Dr. Fahrenbach. This has been an ongoing sighting method since my earliest publications...so, let's get to it. Pick yourself a good area and start baiting.

Baits have been varied, but most common are fresh meat or fresh vegetables and fruit. Try to avoid fish or fish products, which don't seem to work as well...suspect Bigfoot is as sensitive to foul odors (bad fish) as we are. Joe Beelart is using boiled Spam. Believe Bigfoot's hanging around road kills and dumpster/garbage, is only to retrieve relatively fresh stuff...so, change meat and fruit frequently.

Be consistent. That is, bait every morning or evening if you can. For those of us that work every day, this could be difficult I agree. But...for those of us that live in the country, it could be easy. Have a long report from near Goldendale, WA, where the people in a rural area, just leave food on a picnic table in their yard, and a family of Bigfeet came in...one shy young Bigfoot even cautiously touching a girl's foot. Last WBS meeting we introduced a fellow who had Bigfoot come to his picnic table for apples...and even left trade objects.

Last...give 'em room initially. Leave the bait, and leave the area. Don't confuse things by raking the ground or putting the camera in the tree. They are animals, but they're not dumb. They can see you checking the camera, and the smell of fresh raked ground would be suspicious...give it time. After you have established contact is the time to approach slowly from a distance with your camera (could maybe use telephoto type from a long distance away, aimed toward the bait), or to devise a tree hung video...but, don't be suspicious...leave it exposed with a red ribbon or something. Remember, the instrument might look like a gun to them. They're curious and will eventually examine it, even screw it up. But be patient, replace if necessary...but keep your distance like Dian Fossy, until you're accepted as non- threatening.

Yes, you'll have problems with other animals and birds stealing your bait. Possibly you'll have to put it on a pole or hang from a limb. Even then critters will figure a way to nab it. If there are Bigfoot in the area though that will take your bait, they will eventually go for it before the other critters do.

As added inducements. Try some other experiments also. Before you leave an area, try a wood on wood announcement that there's free food. Maybe leave a salt block handy in the area...if not Bigfoot, other game will appreciate it. I've been told that a decorated, still living, Christmas tree might be a curiosity getter, or some durable wind chimes.

Good luck future Goodall's...let us know how you do so we can advise others to do the same. And, if you do have a contact, move slow, don't stare, keep a notebook handy and record everything you can see or think of, with the date and time...might prove invaluable later.