"A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth." - Wikipedia

"A humorous or malicious deception." - Bing hh

"Something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage; the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)." - Free Dictionary.

"A label freely thrown around the Bigfoot Community to discredit those who post theories, 'evidence', discoveries, suggestions, etc. that do not correspond with the 'Inner circle' views or that come from any 'Outsider'." - Nancy Marietta

There have been many alleged and many 'proven' hoaxes throughout the ages over Sasquatch. Some have become self-confessed and yet others confessed to when that too is a lie. And therefore, if the original incident were a hoax, it becomes a hoax upon a hoax. Or the 'confession' cheapens something that could be real, forcing it into a hoax.

When to call out hoaxes and point fingers and when to educate and correct a misinterpretation can sometimes be difficult. I feel there are way too many calls of "HOAX" where none is intended. Instead, perhaps a more educated method of looking at photos and videos submitted is to try to discover the intent.

What is the purpose of the person releasing the information? What is the timeline behind it? How are they reacting to the comments on the 'evidence'?

To me, a real Hoaxer is someone who is seeking some sort of reward, KNOWING that what they are presenting is false. KNOWING that they are fabricating a story in order to gain something.

Money, financial gain, is one motive. We know the names of those who try to make a living from sasquatch by lies and fakery.

Acceptance to the "club" is another. Some people feel a need to belong to what they think are the "Golden Boys" of the Bigfoot World. They want the recognition of the "famous", and the inclusion of membership in the "Bigfoot Fraternity".

Then there are the Fame seekers. They want people to look up to them and admire their work. To "oooh" and "ahhh" over every photo, and every YouTube video. To be included as speakers at conferences. To write THE definitive book on bigfoot and their exclusive experiences.

What I see mostly in the groups I'm a member of, of the PM photos sent to me? Well, first off, I see some really nice photos that make me nod my head. I see others that make me scratch my head because they intrigue me and make me wonder. There are those that are so unclear that there is no way to make a decision, despite all attempts to clear them. And lastly, there are those that make me SMH.

While they can be doubted, most of them ( 98%) cannot and should not be labeled hoaxes. It is unfair of people to label others with that name when no intent to defraud can be discovered.

Believe it or not, there are many out there who are only trying to share what they are experiencing. To share what they are seeing.  To let others learn from them. If they seek no fame, no money, no special privileges, then they cannot be called Hoaxers. At least, not in my opinion.

More often, if the evidence presented seems wrong, it is mistaken identity, wishful thinking, or not enough knowledge of the area around them.

So, maybe instead of screaming "FAKE" or  "HOAX" at these items, we are a little more informative. Ask questions, and make statements. If they should have to "prove" their post; if we disagree, we too should "prove" our opinions.

If we think it is a bear, not a sasquatch, say why. Show why. If you enlarged, or enhanced the photo, post it on your comment with an explanation.

And yes, I know that sometimes the posters get upset if people disagree. But if we are respectful and keep from name-calling, the upset is on them, not on us. Hopefully, they will take the dissenting opinions as just that, learn from suggestions and thoughts voiced, and realize that the opinions are just on that photo and not on all the events happening around them. They take it as a learning experience to help them become better at investigating and researching.

And then we have those who post the "real deal". They keep silent for years, knowing that they will be ridiculed, called names, and labeled a hoaxer. And the few times they brave the world and post their decades-long research, the jackals, the hyenas, the coyotes circle. They attack, they belittle, and they throw out the label "HOAX".

And that's when it becomes almost laughable. Those who feel threatened by the rest of the community will fling the label of "FAKE" or "HOAX" at anything they fear will overshadow their own work. So, while they feel justified by screaming the name at the Blobsquatch, Stumpsquatch, Shadowsquatch, Blursquatch, they will also hurl it at the clear photo or the photo that can be enhanced and enlarged to actually show something.

Sad. So much sad -- and wrong -- in the community.

Can it be changed? I don't know. I can only change myself. And perhaps get someone reading this post to decide to change. That's all we can do. Change ourselves.