By Dan Baker

We love all of our cryptid artists but out sculptors are unique and special as they create a multi-dimensional depictions of our hairy friends. And crypto-sculptor, Dan Baker is by far one of our favorites. And he has a very unique perspective based on his personal experiences and his many collected reports from others. And based on the latest information on Bigfoot, he may be closer than anyone to having some of the most honest depictions. Only time and research will tell. But in the meantime, Dan is creating sculptures that tell an interesting story about bigfoot.


**********DF


This Post By TCC Team Member Dorraine Fisher. Dorraine is a Professional Writer, photographer, a nature, wildlife and Bigfoot enthusiast who has written for many magazines. Dorraine conducts research, special interviews and more for The Crypto Crew. Get Dorraine's book The Book Of Blackthorne!



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Just who is looking for Bigfoot?

Researchers, Trolls, and Armchairs
Who Makes The Biggest Contributions To Bigfoot Research?
By Dorraine Fisher
I was recently involved in a friendly debate about the term “armchair researchers.”  Just what do we mean if we use the term?  It seems there’s more than one definition.   And it begs the question of who actually makes a contribution to real bigfoot research and who doesn’t.  Who should get the credit for the advancement of the subject and who should not?

First, in order to do bigfoot research, you don’t have to be a scientist.  Some knowledge of science is helpful, but certainly not mandatory. But we always want to acknowledge all our scientists in the field who have chosen to tackle such a controversial subject and also help give more legitimacy to the subject with their hard work. And they’ve chosen to do that work in a scientific climate that is less than enthusiastic.  You are greatly appreciated for what you do here.

But we owe a huge debt to all the non-scientists who have spent countless painstaking hours combing the woods, cataloging findings, searching for evidence, building trust, and learning everything they can in ground zero, often with very limited resources and funding.  It’s a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack sometimes, but they do it.  And a lot of our greatest knowledge has come from findings from researchers who aren’t scientists.
 
But are these the only ones who make a contribution to bigfoot research?  I think not.
Let’s keep in mind the hundreds of researchers who would love to comb the woods and do that kind of research but are unable for some reason. Health reasons may be a factor, or they may not be able to travel to the rural areas for some reason, or maybe they simply are interested, but don’t live in an area or country where bigfoot is thought to exist.

These people, from their desks and chairs at home, study their subject diligently. They  watch the field research of others, they watch documentaries, they join in discussions , and they also may examine the evidence and offer intelligent theories and ideas of their own.  And they offer support and encouragement to those in the field who sometimes may feel that a lot of what they do is in vain.  They ask questions, they learn, and they do what they can. Are they any less significant?  No. That is a contribution. Their work and support means something.

Out in the field, it’s sometimes easy to stop seeing the forest for the trees.  And sometimes outside opinions coming from a different perspective are helpful in bending public perception and opening up minds.  Not always, but sometimes.

And let’s also not forget those people who write blogs and articles on the subject. I’ve been called an armchair researcher because I’m a writer on the subject.  What about all those people who write books, create documentaries, and do regular radio shows on the subject? Are they armchair researchers too?

No they aren’t. They make a huge contribution. They give a voice to all those people who may not have had one otherwise. They help convey all the sightings stories, evidence, and theories that all add up to the big picture of the existence of bigfoot; stories that need to be heard and wouldn’t be heard without being given a forum to do so.

And then there are the skeptics. Yes, they make a contribution too. Most true skeptics are very knowledgeable on the subject and always aim for sound logic and reasoning in the subject of bigfoot. They keep researchers sharp. They ask the pertinent questions and they keep the rest of us on our toes trying to answer them.  Even though there are disagreements, the other side of the argument is always important too.

So then… just exactly who are these “armchair researchers?”

The term “armchair researcher” has become a somewhat sarcastic term for those in the community often referred to as “trolls.”  And most researchers agree these are the individuals in the community who make absolutely no contribution to the research, but spend a great deal of time interrogating and criticizing those that do.

But nobody has worked harder to define the terms than Ohio researcher and crypto artist Dan Baker,  a self-described “disabled field researcher.” Dan is a field researcher with disabilities that sometimes prevent him from doing everything he’d like to do in the field. But he also strongly acknowledges the contribution of those researchers who are completely disabled and do all their good work from their homes.

But here is how he defined the terms:

1) Disabled researcher - Any person who does not have the physical capability to go out into the field and conduct research, but spends a great deal of time reading and studying journals and books, and researching online; a person who constructively uses their knowledge to further educate others.

2) Armchair researcher / Troll - Any person who has the physical capability to go into the field.  However, they choose to sit behind a computer and ridicule both disabled researchers and healthy field researchers alike; the demanding people who have no facts to back up their claims but demand facts from others.

    So, what do you think? Do you agree with Dan’s assessment?

******DF


This Post By TCC Team Member Dorraine Fisher. Dorraine is a Professional Writer, a nature, wildlife and Bigfoot enthusiast who has written for many magazines. Dorraine conducts research, special interviews and more for The Crypto Crew. Get Dorraine's book The Book Of Blackthorne!


Special thanks to Dan Baker and the members of A.P.E. (American Primate Exploration) for their friendly input.




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Dan Baker working in the field

This post by Thomas Marcum, Thomas is the founder/leader of the cryptozoology and paranormal research organization known as The Crypto Crew. Over 20 years experience with research and investigation of unexplained activity, working with video and websites. A trained wild land firefighter and a published photographer, and poet.


In our 17th interview in the series, I get to interview Sculptor and Bigfoot Researcher Dan Baker.
Dan has also recently form a fast growing Facebook group called American Primate Exploration or just simply A.P.E., So make sure to check it out.
I hope you enjoy this interview.


- Start Interview -

TM: How long have you been researching/studying Bigfoot?

DB: Studying Bigfoot in general for 20+ years. Actively involved in field research for 4 years. .

TM: What got you interested in Bigfoot, Was there a particular event that got you started? 

DB: I was 12 years old in 1967 when Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin made the world famous film and I was hooked from that time on. I had the opportunity to tell Bob Gimlin that very same thing and his reply was "I'm sorry". Lol .

TM: During your research/studying of Bigfoot, have you ever encountered aggressive behavior or felt in danger from a Bigfoot?(details please)

DB: Once while out in the field, some of our team members were growled at, and on another occasion, a large rock was thrown and hit a guardrail on a road about 250 yards away from us. We never really felt in any kind of serious danger.

TM: It seems Skeptics are always ready to attack Bigfoot research, How do you deal with it?

DB: My answer to skeptics is that "Absence of proof is not proof of absence". I have grown a much thicker skin than I once had, and I continue to move ahead.

TM: Would you like to see Bigfoot accepted and/or proven to the general public?

DB: I would like to see more acceptance of Bigfoot, but not at the expense of the creature's well being. I believe that educating the public is the first step, but it should be done in a way that it includes the participation of the people in the learn process. I.E. question and answer periods etc.

TM: What is your favorite time of year to research/study Bigfoot, When do you have your most success?

DB: My favorite time of year for research is the fall. It seems as though there is more movement during this time of year around the harvest.

TM: Do you have a favorite Bigfoot story or report?

DB: My favorite story is of my sighting that Dorraine Fisher interviewed me about. (Found HERE)

TM: What would you be doing if you wasn't researching/studying Bigfoot?

DB: I would most likely be studying anthropology and paleontology if I weren't doing Bigfoot research.

Thanks for doing the interview and good luck with all that you do.


Dan with the legendary Bob Gimlin from the famous Patterson-Gimlin bigfoot footage. The footage shot that day in 1967 was of a female Bigfoot and the footage is still being debated and reviewed all these years later. 






 



Sculpture of  "Monster Man Dan" now doubles as a logo for 
A.P.E.








- End Interview -


Dan is a fine sculptor, researcher and person, we recommend you check out his facebook group.

I hope to do more interviews in the coming weeks.

Thanks
~Tom~







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Not actual photo, just used as reference

By TCC Team Member Dorraine Fisher
Professional Writer, a nature and wildlife enthusiast who has written for many magazines.

Dan's Group - The Genoskwa Project

©The Crypto Crew


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