The Times Standard from Eureka, California • Page 7

8 Sunday, September 29, 1974 THE TIMES-STANDARD Eurtka, California, Reporter's beat Bigfoot hunter still believes creature hot iust legend C7 By PAUL BRISSO Staff Writer Joel Hurd has been on the trail of Bigfoot for five years and questions the only firsthand evidence he has seen, yet he still believes the legendary ape like creature exists. Hurd and his wife, Tina', have traveled throughout the Western states, Canada and Mexico talking to persons who have reported seeing the creature or finding evidence, such as footprints. Bi-gfoot, subject of Indian legends and reported sightings ever since whitemen entered the American west, is described as a creature half-man, half-ape that walks on two feet and in- a i a as, in the Pacific Nortwest. Although all of the evidence Hurd has collected is "secondhand" fie said, "I'm very much inclined to believe that they're real." Hurd admits.there have been many hoaxes in-Bigfoot reports and said this makes it more difficult for a serious researcher to determine the validity of reports. Hurd became interested in Bigfoot through what must be considered the most controversial jpiece of Bigfoot by "experts who cited details to a decision on whether to go to v'estigations and travels.he saw questions in his mind because he size and shape were much ifferent than -all the other racks he had 'seen pictures', and asts of; Although his dream is still, to very fresh evidence or himself-- if not actually seeing creature-- Hurd has been content to talk to others vho have'reported sightings and view their evidence.

His treasured 'piece Bigfooj. evidence is a copy of a ape inale by a Washington man of '-strange scream that tie man. recorded early one said he has played the ape' several persons who ave hearing Bigfoot'i but one said ries on.the tape were similar -to what they, had heard. also interviewed lolice officer the same area JOEL AND TINA Hurd stand by some of Tina's artwork is hanging on their trailer. Joel's hunt for Bigfoot is financed by the sales h'is wife's drawings.

evidence to date--a film made in the late ISGO's of an apeplikc creature walking on too legs in the Bluff Creek 'area of Humboldt County. Roger Patterson's film was immediately attacked as a hoax say it just a-man dressed in Alaska to work or an ape costume while many "experts" cited details to claim solid evidence a Bigfoot's existence. In 1969, Hurd said he came to in-depth research of Bigfoot. "Biigfoot Was far 1 more dm- that the i a a piece of portant and' intriguing' than making money," he! said explaining his decision. Shortly -after he began his in- some fresh in a'remote area of Southern California where a man' reported that three of- the creatures been rummaging around liis country home.

Hurd said the footprints rais-' Washington who claimed to lave seen a Bigfoot while on latrol; one night. Hurd's who is an artist, rew picture, of the creature rider' 'the' 'officer's guidance. lurd sadi Nivaho Indians in Arizona him the animal esembled a a omelimes seen in the remote of the reservation. The Hurd's departed for their lome in -Sdls, last week fter spendmg most of the summer California talk- nig to persons who reported hey-had 'seen- Bigfoot -and camp- ng in areas, hoping discover- evidence for hemselves. ESP hunters pay to track Bigfoot By CARRICK SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) Intrepid hunters with shoes suaked in household- ammonia will try to find' the legendary gfool by reading his mind.

And the novice ESP hunters wiJI $750 for the privilege. Their efforts are spurred by what is said to the first ever photograph of tine beast's face, taken in July, 1073 high in the Alaskan Arctic. i It's part of a package deal offered by Bigfoot entrepreneur Tom Biscardii 25, of San Jose, and the Safespace -Foundation The hunt will be no bed of roses. ESP hunters won't be allowed.to use-soap, deodorant, shaving lotion or to brush Uieir leetti. On their shoes will be cot- toa soaked in -household ammonia to disguise human smells.

A classified section ad in the San Francisco newspapers says. Scientists also hunt legendary creature COUGAR, Wash. (UPI) A group of scientists is on serious search for the legend ary man-beast "Bigfoot," alsc known in various parts of th world as "Sasquatch" "Ycti." The latest tearch was trig gored by tlhe finding apparently human hair near huge, man-like footprints nea St. Helens. Robert W.

Morgan, dtrecto of the American- Yett. Eaped lion, said from a search has camp Monday that She hair an giant footprints were foun about a month ago by tracker in a dense forest. The trackers were oa a trai when rounded a liillsic and came upon a small stream As they started to cross th creek, they noticed a very fres scuff anark on a moss-covere fock. That was where the ha strands were found. Morgan said the tracker spotted huge man-like foo prints nearby.

The prints we up Uie stream about 20 yard then circled -above the tracke before the trail disappeared. "That's exactly the mov ment a primate would make it Was wishing to observe whi not being observed," Morga suggested. 'Tim not saying it was estate antique STORAGE goods are placed jn sealed containers warehouse is healed and sprinHered. FREE ESTIMATE 443-7369 HUMBOLDT MAYFLOWER moving storage 1433 Broadwiy Euriki People Read SPOT ADS you are new call 442-1711 Bigfoot, but it's unlikely that a arefooted human would l)c unnin-g around in that area, if it was a human, why vould-he want to hide from two jther humans?" Mary Joe Florey, a micro from Portland, examined the hair and concluded it was human, mrpbably rom an ankle or leg, Morgan aid. Morgan said analysis of Hie lair 'ivlll continue, including comparison with hair he founc two years ago on fence near spot where deer and catUc lad been savagely killed ant where large footprints also were discovered.

'If it was a BigJoot, then il opens up many new said Morgan, who has led group of scientists and tracker; this summer in a search for the creature. "It's something we're very excited about." He -s-aid the hunt for a Bigfoo would continue in the south western -Washington area "unti the snow flies." "Bigfoot anthropoligical ex-' seditions need exped. members. No exper. neces.

world authority will lead. Not a hunting party." Safespace is an 'orgnaization with' two additional major projects under way--creation of the vorld's largest trimaran and an sland kingdom off the coast of Honduras. "Our business is creating dreams," says director Bob Miles, 32. Biscardi is a. fast- talking Bigfoot impressario who has inked up with animal tracker van Marx, 52, of Burney, Calif.

Marx was-accused of hoaxing Bigfoot tracks three years ago nd will not'say much publicly about his obsession with, finding he beast. "I just want to lie that thing up, in my truck and drive it into and stick it in their faces ind make them recognize that I it," he told a reporter. The ad drew 11 people one evening to an introductory session. "The trail looks pretty hot," Miles told the prospective ESP lunters. He a i out the pro-i will be a.

qualification period to get to go, it's in eluded in the package. We must learn to communicate wiUi each other before we can communicate with Bigfoot." he said The ESP training will be done at Safespace facilities during two week period. It includes four steps. Learning too focus your thoughts; separating from your thoughts; focusing for 10 minutes on just one thought, an practicing "vacancy of mind making you a perfect "A lot of people have looke for Bigfoot and they've nevei been able to find' him. Our technique is to ask him," Miles said.

Bisca.rdi passed around head 1 shot--of a red eyes, no discernible nose and streaks grey th-rouj brownish black fur. The picture was taken by 'one of our tr-ackers with a lens," Biscardi said. A elephone call to a elucidated a slightly different story. "That came out of the north" 1 IB "They guy, that me that is half Eskimo. If they offend-him (Bigfoot)-in anyway, hey have to' con- equences; In Arctic: he'sVa now thing--he's not a legend of ttie past." The picture was made -in July, 973 by the man who also 8 rash pilot.

"I can't tell you his name," Marx said. What-a bout the ESP tjunlers? "Thai's Tom's side. We'll see what they can come up willi. Maybe they'll surprise me," Marx. said.

Marx will lead the EXP hunters; shepherded 300 miles north from 'San Francisco by Biscardi and Miles, through the maze of lava tubes in and around Lassen National Park. It is here, said Marx, a numerous signs of- Bigfoot have been found. Biscardi laid 1 down the rules bo his prospective hunters. will be no toothpaste no cologne and no soap during the expedition. We'll put am monia in cotton on our shoes so It smells like cougar urine.

The wild animals are the friends Bigfoot and we must erase human smells in order to gel close enough to contact him." The plan, he said, is to follow the migratory route of the creature with a series of the ESP operations, starting will the lava tubes, on- the hi-gir Arctic. They' finance their travels by Mrs. artwork, which onsisls in-ainty, of carcoal draiw- ngs arid oil paintings of Indians. "Budding writer" Describing himself as a bud- ing hopes to use he material, he has'been col- ecting' books, one on ffi Designed to answer to most commonly asked questions ifoo'ul the 'reports of the and another on the icn made looking for Bigfoot a major part of their fe. "I thought It would be a good dea to write a book about the 8ave men looking for Bigfoot because ley a rugged in- ividualism that seems to be ying dut.V'Hurd'said.

Many" Bigfoot' unters have ipent over 20 ears searching for the AST CENTER ANNUAL FALL ART SUPPLY SALE Now thru Oct. 5th CLAY PAINT BRUSHES ETCH PLATES COLORED PENCILS 211 St. Eureka Free Coffee creature, -gurd's a i Bi-gfoot hunter story is the man whose wife finally became upset told her husband to chose between either continuing his or a divorce'. "Naturally, He' took Bigfobt," he 'Different persons involved -in the. search different approaches, ilurd' said.

Some want to "Bigfoot of others: want to shoot one to be used 'for scientific study, and others want to leave Bigfoot and observe them in the wild. Hurd personally prefers the latter approach and believes that man "can use -the discovery and observation of Bigfobt as a valuable learning experience. "If Bigfoot's existence is proven, 'it 'will be incredible that such a huge creature could go undetected in such an advanced society. "You'd have to.come to the conclusion that it is because our society'has become very blind to the environment," Hurd said. This concern for the en vironment control Hurd's proach to his hunt for Bii and makes an Indian legend very appealing, to him.

'Yuirok depicts Bi-gfoot. as Traveler or Patrol-ler, a creature half-animal sent by the Great Bigfoot Spirit to keep men and nature in" harmony," 1 Hurd said. Whether or not Bigfoot is ever discovered, Hurd would like to see this harmony between man and nature obtained. HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION presents the FffiMensie PROGRAM Most courses will begin the week of Monday, Sept. 30 Bulletins Now Available For information and application forms, call or write: 826-3711 Office of Continuing Education Humboldr State University Arcata, CA.

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