My trip this year to Virginia was a great one. Time with family I love, time in the forests (occasionally sun bathing), and time with a good friend. I was able to hang with Mike from Bigfoot’s Wilderness, and formerly Blue Ridge Bigfoot. He was the first person to say, “hey” when I started blogging and being serious about my search for Bigfoot. That meant a lot, and we’ve been friends since. We may not always agree on everything, but we enjoy the debate. So here’s a little Q&A for you, all the way from Virginia…

Q. What ignited your interest in Bigfoot?

A. To me, as a kid I felt that Bigfoot seemed to be more relatable than say, the Loch Ness monster. Bigfoot could be anywhere in the woods, but the Loch Ness monster lived thousands of miles away. Bigfoot also walked on two legs, probably lived in a family or group of other Bigfoot (s). The Patterson Gimlin film showed what I still believe to be a real Bigfoot. It’s evidence, plain and simple. That video is and will always be the gold standard in my opinion that Bigfoot exists. To my knowledge, it has never been debunked.

Q. What made you a believer?

A. That’s a great question. I’ve known people to have had some strange occurrences. Some paranormal, others experienced what they said was a Bigfoot. When you hear their stories, and other people’s stories as well, the only conclusion I could draw was that it couldn’t be anything else but a Bigfoot. That made me a believer but i’m actually a step beyond just being a believer, because now I know they exist. I had an encounter and witnessed a Bigfoot.

Q. How long have you been interested in Bigfoot?

A. Since I was 6. I won’t get into the math but it was a pretty long time ago. To me, It’s alway been Patty! I can remember our Sunday night dinners with family. I always ate in front of the TV with my TV tray in front of me. To me, the Patterson Gimlin film was the first and most persuasive piece of Bigfoot evidence I’d ever seen.

I’ve been interested ever since I heard Leanord Nimoy describe Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin’s experience on the tv show, In Search Of. Patty, walking along the stream at Bluff Creek was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen. At the time, I didn’t know it but I was watching a rerun. The sighting ocurred a few years prior. I’m pretty sure I was watching the PG Film on , In Search Of , in 1972. Q. What does your family think about your Bigfoot belief and you being a part of this community? A. Well, having a Bigfoot encounter story channel at times seems weird to them, but the longer I do it the more they seem to accept it. At first my kids were not very interested. But little by little they’ve shown (some) interest. My youngest wants to be a YouTuber, at least thats what he says whenever I ask him what he wants to be. I guess he thinks its cool. I’m not sure he thinks I’m cool?!

The community itself seems flawed and not very friendly. I really have my own world and try not to judge anyone else. Which effectively keeps me out of it. The community can bring whatever they want to the table. It’s their right. I don’t mind people giving their opinion but please don’t tell me what to believe.

Q. Do you believe in other cryptids as well? Aliens?

A. I definitely want to believe in other cryptids, but there seems to be very little proof or evidence. I recently read an article about the Loch Ness Monster and retrieving DNA from the waters of the Loch. If I read the article right, there may very well be something living in that massive body of water. I’m hoping more results will come in shortly. I’m all for a Loch Ness Monster, but does anyone have a real picture? The most popular picture available is from a hoax in the 1930’s.

To be completely honest, I’ve never seen any proof of Dogmen or Mothman. But I have seen some very talented artists create some amazing pictures of them. And Aliens? Well, I really hope that we aren’t the only life in this universe. That’s a lonely thought. I think I’ve also read that scientists have detected several thousand Stars (suns) with planets revolving around them. Maybe around one of those stars, there’s a planet out there in that sweet spot that may have water and a suitable atmosphere to be habitable, and if so, let’s hope they’re friendly. Q. What prompted you to start your channel? A. I was and still am a big fan of the Youtube channel PacWest Bigfoot. I’d been listening for several months and thought I’d reach out and tell Dave how much I like his stories. At the time I wanted to make a suggestion about other people reading a story on his channel. I was thinking maybe a minor celebrity, but he responded back and said “why don’t you do it?” So I did, and it was a lot of fun! I contacted my friends and persons of interest to document their encounters. Anyway, the rest is history and I think my subscribers and listeners are enjoying them! I really appreciate the nice comments and the time they take to listen.

Q. Have you had a channel, blog or podcast etc. earlier?

A. I did. Blue Ridge Bigfoot was my first channel but there was a change in philosophy and so Blue Ridge Bigfoot is no more. Bigfoot’s Wilderness actually works better because my scope is larger. Even worldwide. Not just a region like Blue Ridge Bigfoot.

Q. What is your approach to the encounters you receive?

A. When it comes to Bigfoot, there is a potential for just about anything to pop up in a story. Bigfoot and aliens, Bigfoot and orbs, Disappearing Bigfoot etc. I ask a lot of questions and if I don’t get answers I usually just file it. I always try to be objective when reading or talking with a witnesses encounter. The process in getting the complete story can take a day, weeks or even months. It all depends on the witness themselves.

Q. Have there been some you’ve struggled with believing?

A. Yes, of course. I listen to everybody and their stories, but I have noticed that most people seem to believe in a tangible Bigfoot, meaning something real that lives and breathes. Those who believe Bigfoot is a portal jumping alien typically have no explanations and therefore no story to produce.

Q. What is the best or favorite story that you’ve told?

A. I like my story the best. Its called ‘The Bigfoot Incident’ on my Youtube page, Bigfoot’s Wilderness. These were real pictures, including a footprint and a Bigfoot sitting in the bushes watching our cabin, as well as the terrain of where the encounter took place. I believe it helps paint a better picture for the listener.

Q. What are some other channels or podcasts you enjoy listening too?

A. I’d have to say (1) PacWest Bigfoot is my all time favorite. Next would be (2) Homesteading Off The Grid. This is a guy in Virginia who thinks he has Bigfoot living in the woods around his farm. He may well have Bigfoot, but the way he goes about documenting it is just hilarious. Real or not, it’s just hilarious. Guranteed to make you smile, if you can sometimes laugh about Bigfoot. Next would be a recent discovery for me, its called (3) how to hunt.com. The host of the channel is Steve Isdahl. He discusses mostly hunting experiences, but on occasion drops in an encounter story about Bigfoot. Some are from friends and family while others have been his personal experience. Very good channel.

Q. Who would you say you look up to or admire most in the field?

A. I’ve always liked William Jevning and Jeff Meldrum. They are both extremely credible and deeply entrenched in the Sasquatch subject.

Q. What is your Bigfoot philosophy, Neanderthal, ape, etc.?

A. From the witness reports i’ve read , most believe that the physical appearance resembles that of an ape which i believe is why most instinctively say “ape.” when asked. But is it more than just an ape? That’s the question nobody can seem to answer, including me! Maybe somebody will come forward with more physical proof, maybe even a body. Now that would be incredible. As terrible as it sounds a body is the ultimate proof of something that most people deny exists.

Q. Do you enjoy getting out there in the woods yourself?

A. Yes, definitely. I enjoy getting out in the woods but mostly for exercise and with the family. I’m not a researcher by any means, but I have found prints in several different state parks and private lands here in Virginia. I’ve also found tree structures. Virginia is loaded with mountains and dense forest. It’s a great place to hide.

Q. Can you tell me more about the encounter you had yourself out there?

A. Yes. On that spring break trip when I saw a Bigfoot, I like to joke that I had the tri-fecta of witness encounters. I found a print, heard talking/chattering/ape sounds and saw a Bigfoot sitting in the bushes watching our cabin from about 30-35 yards away.

Having my family there during the encounter made me feel pretty helpless. I was very concerned that if I provoked this creature, what would be the repercussion? Possible rock throwing or some other form of intimidation and maybe injure someone? I have to say it was a humbling experience. I didn’t have any real protection to protect my family and myself.

Q. What are your future plans for Bigfoot’s Wilderness?

A. The channel is fairly new so for now I’ll just keep reading encounter stories and hopefully they’ll be well received.

*On a side note. I was receiving these pictures from Mike in real time as it was happening, and there was genuine concern there for his families safety. Luckily nothing progressed and he was able to collect what evidence he could to share with us.

If you would like to hear more about his encounter, here is the link to his story from his channel:

https://youtu.be/MWjHL8HfFAU

All pictures property of Bigfoot’s Wilderness, used with permission.

Copyright © June, 2019, property of Sasysquatchgirl and Bigfootmountain all rights reserved