The Free Radical

“I know a guy who knows a guy…”

When it comes to Bigsquatch, that’s usually how the story begins. Well, now, I guess I’m that guy. And as such, there’s still a few more remarks I need to make in order to put everything into proper perspective.

What may have been lost in the original postings is that this most recent Bigsquatch reference… and story… unfolded over a three-day period. It began innocently enough on the first day with the discovery of some sure bear signs. There were prints and poop which were assuredly from Black Bear.

But then there was this one… which really piqued my curiosity…

On that first day, I assumed that either this was left by an unusually large bear (for this area), or that is was a composite print made by two overlapping tracks– though it certainly didn’t look like it. Beyond that, I didn’t think about it much.

Then the next day, I came across this partial print in the mud (very near to the same area, but it definitely was not there the day before)…

It was about the same size (toe size and general width) as the print from the day before. Well, that was interesting! And as I examined it closely, I could find no evidence of claw marks– which would be expected from any bear print.

As for the possibility of this belonging to a large cat– whose claws are retractable– that would have to be nothing less than a sabre-toothed tiger to leave a print that big! And besides, cat tracks only have four toes out front, not five. Again, it was remotely possible that it could be two overlapping prints, but it certainly didn’t appear to be.

Then, on the third day, the definitive track was left… for me to discover. It had definitely not been there the day before. It was brand new and very close to where the other tracks were found. And for the first time ever, Raven shouted at me as I stooped down to examine it closely.

The reaction to this picture has been interesting to say the least. To those with a very rigid mindset which insists that there’s really nothing new under the sun for humans to discover, this picture is an obvious fraud. Furthermore, it is assumed that I am the one perpetrating the fraud. I faked the print. I promise you that I did not.

To relatively open-minded people who don’t insist that every matter needs to be comfortably settled into airtight conclusions, they’re happy to view this as an intriguing mystery. Incidentally, that’s how I am currently viewing it. My official opinion: I don’t think these are bear prints or that they belong to a large cat. I also don’t think that these are the results of other humans perpetrating a hoax on me. “So what are they?” At this point, I don’t have enough data to draw any strong conclusions… and I’m okay with that. All of life is a gigantic mystery, and I don’t need to have all of the answers. Simply being open to unknown possibilities is quite enough; it goes along with an attitude of lifelong learning (something I highly recommend for personal peace and happiness).

And now I would like to conclude this segment of Reports with another tale from years ago which might be of benefit to others who frequent the woods… and sometimes find inexplicable things.

Fortunately, I had heard of “The Plug” sometime before I encountered it… and its immediate aftermath. Imagine coming across a pile of poop in the forest which is so enormous that it could only come from a huge bigsquatch! Its diameter is not particularly remarkable but the sheer volume is totally unbelievable. It was quite a few years ago when I had just such an encounter… and I knew immediately what it was. Hibernating bears don’t poop for about five months. During that time, their intestines still produce a small amount of fecal matter continuously… which builds up over time into an unbelievable amount. The pile I came across was fully 15 litres! How do I know? Because I came back the next day with two industrial ice cream buckets with lids and took my treasure home for my compost heap. Stuff like that is just way too good to pass up!

I’ve shared this just so that anyone having a similar encounter in early spring won’t automatically jump to the wrong conclusion.

And there you have it. As for Bigsquatch… we await more evidence.