Bigfoot bounty grows to more than $2 million[Oklahoma]

Enid News & Eagle ^ | 03 March 2021 | Billy Hefton

[Theoria]

Oklahoma’s bounty on Bigfoot has grown to nearly $2.1 million mere weeks after a state lawmaker proposed a controversial bill to allow capturing of the mythical creature.

State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, said it doesn’t matter that his legislative measure never made it out of committee. It did exactly what he intended it to do — promote interest and tourism in his heavily wooded district in Southeast Oklahoma that reportedly boasts the ninth most sightings in the world of the legendary ape-like creature.

Humphrey said he initially thought he’d have to go through the state wildlife department to issue hunting licenses for Bigfoot, but quickly discovered the state tourism department can issue tracking permits since the intent is not to kill or injure the elusive beast.

Now he’s working with state tourism officials to set up rules for Bigfoot enthusiasts who want to participate in Oklahoma’s “Sasquatch Quest.”

The No. 1 rule — Sasquatchers must capture Bigfoot unharmed and can’t injure anyone else or break any laws in the process.

“We’ve got to get some language, make sure that we protect Bigfoot and that we protect the public (so) that nobody is injured,” he said.

Humphrey’s original plan suggested lawmakers set aside a $25,000 bounty for Bigfoot’s capture, but he said an upcoming Hollywood Bigfoot movie pledged around $2 million, while another private business promised an additional $100,000. That eliminated any need for state funding.

He said state tourism officials now are developing a Bigfoot promotional campaign that includes license plates, decals, an annual commemorative tracking license and “Bigfoot checkout stations.” He said they’re also working on a map of the region to show visitors the best route to take to spot Bigfoot while promoting nearby businesses at the same time.

[DNME]

I’ve watched a bazillion reports on Bigfoot encounters and I must admit that I’ve changed my position.

For years I thought we needed to drop a Bigfoot and bring the body to a university medical center for a definitive analysis. Full publicity, full autopsy, and let’s see what this “myth” is all about. But no longer.

After viewing countless Bigfoot encounter reports, and assuming 60 percent of them are just creative writing exercises, I now believe Bigfoot is real.

Bigfoot seems to want privacy above all else. Mister and Missus BF want to be left alone to raise their kids. Food is always a problem when you are 9 feet tall, with deer, fish and theft from local farms making up the bulk of the food supply chain.

Some Bigfoot are dangerous to humans. Alaska seems to have some bad ones, and any Bigfoot might have an attitude if some stupid redneck shot his wife last week. But many Bigfoot stories are charming, funny and leave you wondering if we might be related somehow.

My position on Bigfoot (I have never seen one) is simple. I want my gun on my hip when we meet, and there it will remain unless an obvious threat to my well-being is made. Otherwise, I am willing to negotiate, trade, or just gift food to my forest brother or sister, with no urge to kill them just for being different.

[Trillian]