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The Haunted Librarian

~ Researching, investigating, and writing about the paranormal.

The Haunted Librarian

Category Archives: Cryptozoologist

Skunk Ape: Florida’s Bigfoot

25 Saturday Jul 2020

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cryptids, Cryptozoologist, Mysterious Creatures, Road Trip, Roadside Attractions, Roadtrip, Skunk Ape

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Tags

BFRO, Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, Dave Shealy, Florida Yeti, Swamp APe, Vince Doerr

The Skunk Ape Headquarters in Ochopee, FL.

As far back as the 1920s, wildlife trappers and fishermen whispered stories of sighting a 7-foot-tall, ape-like bipedal creature lurking in the swamps of Florida. One such sighting was reported at Quednau Ranch, Charlotte County, when a Boy Scout Troop was camping in the area on August 15, 1962 (The incident wasn’t reported until years later, though.) The number of sightings picked up through the 70s and 80s and now total 328, according to The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, bfro.net. By then, the creature had a name: Skunk Ape.

The Pensacola News (August 9, 1971) issue carried the story of H.C. Osbon. H.C. and 4 friends were in the Big Cypress Swamp, officially known as the Big Cypress National Preserve, digging for Native Indian artifacts. At 3 AM, the men were inside their tents when they heard a noise. They decided to investigate and saw a 7’ 700-pound creature. The next morning, they found tracks measuring 17 ½ inches. They made plaster molds. From the tracks, Osbon theorized there were at least three apes. The article concluded with Osbon vowing to return for more evidence.

By 1974, Skunk Ape fever was spreading, and people were venturing into the swamp to catch a glimpse. One such person was then 10-year-old Dave Shealy. He and his brother, Jack, were able to spot one standing 100’ away. Dave had found his passion; he would build a career around the Skunk Ape.

Ochopee (pronounced “O-Chopp-ee”) sits at the intersection of US 41 and State Road 29 within the Big Cypress Swamp, a 720,000 acre federally protected preserve established on October 4, 1974. Ochopee is in unincorporated Collier County. Big Cypress sits within 3 counties: Collier, Monroe, and Miami-Dade. Ochopee is also home to Shealy’s Skunk Ape Research Headquarters, located at 40904 Tamiami Trail E., Ochopee, Florida.

The Seminole and Miccosukee Indian tribes traveled and resided within this area. They also tell tales of the Skunk Ape, although he is known by several names: Skunk Ape, Swamp Ape, Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and the Florida Yeti. Skunk Ape is the one that stuck. It is said that the name refers to the strong odor, presumably sweat and animal carcass, exuding from the creatures.

Stories continue, as do the descriptions. In 1997, Jan Brock, local realtor, and Vince Doerr, Chief Ochopee Fire Control District, individually spotted a bipedal creature. Doerr was able to capture the creature on film. Both described a 7-foot, red-haired creature possibly weighing around 400 pounds. It is also reported that the creatures only have 4 toes per foot.

Vince Doerr image from 1997.

According to Dave Shealy, the apes eat conch, little lobsters, and lima beans.

The non-stop building in Florida may be encroaching on the natural habitat; therefore, the cryptids may be heading into the larger swamps, where they can hide—possibly inside alligator holes—and avoid humans. Air boats have made it easier for humans to go out in search of the apes. To date there have been 325 sightings in Florida. Although there isn’t definitive evidence, such as a carcass, this does not necessarily make the Skunk Ape a figment of people’s imaginations. It certainly hasn’t curbed the interest in sighting such creatures.

Midnight.FM’s The Midnight Society Weeknight Show

23 Saturday May 2020

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cryptozoologist, Family Feuds, internet radio, Investigative Journalism, Midnight.FM, Organized Crime, Radio Show, The Midnight Society, Witchcraft

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Dan Duke, Dan E. Moldea, Jesse James, Jimmy Hoffa, OJ Simpson, Robert Bobby Kennedy, Singular Fortean Society, Teresa Duke, Tobias Wayland, Witchcraft and Familiars

Tobias Wayland, Dan E. Molsea, and Maja D’Aoust

As I enter Week 11 of self-imposed shelter-in-place protocol, I’ve found that my attention span has decreased and that I’m having difficulty focusing. I try to multi-task while watching television; however, I really need to cut that back. Fortunately, my friend Tim Weisberg and his group of radio producers started a new paranormal themed Internet radio station titled: Midnight.fm. The first show is The Midnight Society, a 3-hour weeknight talk show were Tim brings on various guests. The show runs Monday-Friday, 10 PM-1 AM. His team selects the most interesting guests that now I’ve stopped reading up on the guests and have faith that I will learn something from each episode. And I learn a lot!

And boy this week did not disappoint! Remember: the topics run the gamut of paranormal intrigue. Tuesday introduced me to Tobias Wayland, who is the lead writer for the Singular Fortean Society. I was skeptical of him because he started off talking about Mothman. (I have exhaustively researched Mothman. Sorry, he doesn’t exist.) However, Wayland used it as a springboard to more credible sightings. He was candid in describing sightings that had possible explanations. I respect that in a speaker. His one story was freaky weird, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.

Wednesday brought famed organized crime investigative journalist Dan E. Moldea. He talked Hoffa, Bobbie Kennedy, and OJ. He has one explosive scoop coming our way once COVID-19 plateaus and life begins in some new fashion. Wait for it. It is going to be HUGE!

Thursday addressed the legendary family feud with the surviving ancestors of Jesse James. While I enjoyed listening to the theories of siblings Dan and Teresa Duke, I wasn’t persuaded that Jesse James faked his death. However, you may decide differently. The show was still very interesting.

Tonight, Maja D’Aoust spoke about witchcraft and familiars. She included a great deal of history, especially Ecclesiastical misunderstandings, to discuss modern-day witches. In addition, she dispelled inaccuracies and falsehoods. Her approach was global and inclusive. Another great show.

Tim and his production staff have outdone themselves. The station is less than 2 months old, and listeners are already exposed to leading authors, artists, and speakers in these fascinating fields. The shows are taped live; however, they are also archived. There are several subscription options to enhance your audio experiences; however, you do not need to pay if you merely want to check it out. I highly suggest you do!

Listen:             Midnight.fm
Twitter:          @MNiteSociety
                        @MidnightDotFM

Uncle Sam Wants Bigfoot Trackers?

08 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Bigfoot, Cryptozoologist, Hoaxes, In the News, Para Scammers, Uncategorized

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Tags

#ParaScammer, Bigfoot Tracker, Keith Barnes

UncleSam

Uncle Sam Wants Bigfoot Trackers?

Last week, news broke about Keith Barnes, a 46-year-old Arkansas man, who liked to dress up and pretend to work for the federal government. More precisely: Barnes claimed he was a “Bigfoot Tracker” for the Department of the Interior. Yes, Barnes claimed that the US government employed him as a Cryptozoologist. While he was under investigation for impersonating a federal employee, Barnes was arrested for possessing child pornography. It is unclear if the investigation as to his impersonating a federal employee continues and if the charges would be rolled into the criminal charges. Barnes’ next court appearance is scheduled for June 18, 2018.

No, the US Department of the Interior does not employ cryptozoologists. Although an interesting and ever-changing job, the position does not exist. However, should one exist, what would the job posting look like?

A Cryptozoologist is a person who studies the existence of “disputed or unsubstantiated species.” The most common are called Bigfoot, Yeti, and Sasquatch. Although a science-based college degree is not required, it is strongly encouraged that the person know about animal life. Further, by definition, it is implied that the Cryptozoologist be a “Zoologist,” someone who has an undergraduate degree in animal biology.

A “Bigfoot Tracker” is a person who tracks Bigfoot. No college degree or experience needed.

Ideally, the job would fall under the purview of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A “Bigfoot Tracker” would probably apply for a Park Ranger position or any of the Biologist jobs. Both positions require an undergraduate degree or relevant work experience in lieu of a degree.

Extensive travel would be involved. Due to the large size of the nation and the varying reports, prospective applicants would need to travel. A lot. Outside organizations are better equipped to handle such reports. They have the infrastructure and network in place to maximize personnel. The US government does not.

The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) claims to be the largest virtual community of researchers, scientists, journalists, and enthusiasts. Founded in 1995, the organization’s mission is to explore the “bigfoot/sasquatch mystery” using scientific means. Membership is by invitation-only. The organization is most known for its connection to the Finding Bigfoot TV show that aired on Animal Planet. [Barnes was admitted to the BFRO. To date the organization has not released a statement about his arrest or the other investigation or whether he remains a member.] For more information, view their website at https://www.bfro.net/.

This is not to say that the government is not interested in the paranormal. While the government has paid contractors to investigate extraterrestrial life, the government does not maintain job lines, complete with pensions and limited job protections. Instead, the government monitors developments and then investigates. If the job title sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Barnes is another example of a paranormal scammer (#ParaScammer) who fed lies to fuel his ego.

 

 

 

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The Haunted Librarian

Gainesville, Florida

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