For those who may not know, Sir Noface could possibly be the best and most convincing paranormal documentary ever. In this episode of CTC, Leon Drew interviews Craig Powell. They discuss the film, the evidence, and other topics. There is a lot of background noise but there is still some good information.

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It's been a long time coming but episode 4 of Crypto Tracker Chronicles is finally Here!
In this episode veteran researcher, Leon Drew takes witness Jason Teeters back to where the encounter took place. This was the first time Jason has been back to the spot of his encounter. The two team up and scout the area for any bigfoot evidence.

This episode is long overdue but well worth the wait. Sit back and enjoy, it's a good one.

Episode 4

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Some of you may know Leon Drew from his work with our group, The Crypto Crew. Recently Leon was featured on Fox 21 News. In the segments, Leon, tell about his sightings and him and reporter, Abbie Burke, do a little investigation.

Here is the New report with Leon


There was also a sit down interview with Leon and here it is.

It was a good TV spot and it was good hearing Leon tell about his sightings. Good Job Leon! It was good to see the subject treated professionally by the news station and Abbie Burke.
You can also just over to Fox 21 news website to read more -  here is the link -
http://fox21news.com/2016/05/11/search-for-sasquatch-part-ii/

Thanks
~Tom~

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.


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Crypto Tracker Chronicles Host Leon Drew

Host Leon Drew talks with Arla Williams. Arla presents some great audio and photographic evidence. They also talk about everything from the origins of Bigfoot to Portals and Mindspeak.
You are sure to enjoy this amazing episode of Crypto Tracker Chronicles!

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Host Leon Drew sits down with Colorado Bigfoot researchers Jeff and Theresa Yelek. They present their most recent evidence of Bigfoot. The picture they present is that of a possible face of Bigfoot. They also provide some audio evidence and other photos from their research. So pull a chair up, and get cozy next to the campfire, we got some things to talk about.

(Season 1 Episode 1)

©2015 Zombie Media, All Rights Reserved

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What takes the hog?

A few days ago we got in a report from Terry Snell (found here) about his encounters with possible Bigfoots.  His first brush with Bigfoot took place in West Virginia back in his teenage years. That story is pretty good and the pieces fit together well with other area sightings.

Terry currently lives in Texas where his more recent brush with Bigfoot took place. In the above gif picture, you see a dead hog, all at once the hog rolls away into the night. What took the Hog?

The Crypto Crew's Leon Drew conducted an interview with Terry to get all the details.

Here is that interview.

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Sometimes, when we start working a claim or case, we get to a dead end for various reasons.
This does not necessarily mean the person was untruthful or trying to pull a fast one. We have had people attempt to hoax us and I guess that is just part of the field.

Often times, we get sent photos or someone will send in a report and they are looking or asking for help with their mystery. In some cases we are able to help. Take for instants some recent photos sent to us by Nancy. Nancy, has some large birds on her property and they are causing some damage and attacking some of the critters. Of course, knowing Iowa has some history of Thunderbird sightings and that these birds on Nancy's property were large, we had hopes that maybe, just maybe it was Thunderbirds.

Here is one of Nancy's Photos

One of a few photos that Nancy sent us.

Team member Leon Drew, talked with Nancy on the phone and got more details about the birds and property. We were then thinking these birds could be vultures, and even Nancy thought they could be, but vultures normally do not attack living critters. But buzzard on the other hand, also called chicken hawks, do attack critters, and they are pretty large, so these large birds on Nancy's property could be buzzards. There was also a fairly recent report of a condor being seen in Iowa. Plus the picture quality was not that great due to how it was taken, which couldn't be helped, and we really can't identify the birds for sure until a better photo is taken.

Nancy's neighbor also had a mystery. He had this odd looking round things with a hole in them, laying on the ground. This photo was sent in.

I will admit, it is a weird looking thing. I didn't know what it was ....but I did find out.
I did some searching on the internet and found out this is the fruit of a Osage orange tree. The fruit is edible but it has a unpleasant taste. It is also called a horse apple. It is said that the fruit is a natural insect repellant. I found some good information and my info at 2 dope sistahs blog.

Of course this is only a couple of examples but other times we run down leads and they just don't pan out or the evidence is just not there to support the claim. Then on other cases we reach an end and just need to wait for another clue to keep going.

I have had several cases where someone would send me photos and claimed Bigfoot was standing in the background but it was nothing more than a shadow or just cases of pareidolia. We still have to check this stuff out and understand it is just part of the field. Often times, these types of reports are not posted. 

Not too long ago, we had someone trying to pull a fast one on us. It was a story about a Gorilla photo from the United Kingdom. We were able to filter out this story and expose it as a fake. The person who sent it in may have been taken in as well. I do wish other websites would attempt to filter some of their stories, as some of them will publish anything to get a few clicks. Oh well, what can you do.

I just thought I'd share a few of the cases, where it just didn't pan out. The cases are fun to work, even if they don't pan out sometimes or we get stuck and have to wait on the next clue. Thanks goes to Nancy for sharing her photos and stories with us. Thanks also goes to Leon Drew for his help.

Thanks
~Tom~       



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.



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Interview with John Swaney about his Bigfoot sighting. John's Facebook group can be found by Clicking Here!

Here is the interview.

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Craig Powell interview conducted by Leon Drew

This post by TCC Team member Leon Drew. Leon gallops the plains and rides tall in the saddle while in the mountains of the great state of Colorado. He is a Army Vet, History Buff, Telecom Engineer, Paranormal investigator and Bigfoot Researcher.



On November 15, 2014 I met Australian Paranormal and Yowie investigator, Craig Powell from WSPR.  Below is the transcript from that interview. It was a pleasure to meet Craig and to exchange information and views on our hairy friends and spirit interactions.

LD: I’m here with Craig Powell from WSPR Paranormal Australia, nice to meet you. So what brought you to Colorado?

CP: Nice to meet you to mate, great to be in town, Cripple Creek is awesome.  Initially it was equipment training with Bill Chappell with Ghost Adventures. I had heard stories about Cripple Creek being a very Haunted town that’s what basically brought me here. Will be in town for a week or so.

LD: Well pleasure to meet to meet you. You talked to Michelle Rozell from Outlaw and Lawmen Jail Museum here in Cripple Creek.  So how long have you been doing Paranormal and Crypto stuff?

CP: I have been researching Paranormal since I was 16 so 20 years are or so. But have been researching the nitty gritty with my own group for 5-6 years. The Crypto side kind of fell into it through Ufology and friends. Also the Cryptozoology side. A friend of my said would you like to go look for the Yowie, The Australian Big Foot, I said “yeah I’m really interested. “ I have always seen and read things about it.  But never had any experiences, so I went out with him lets just say it was a life changing experience and been in the crypto side ever since.

LD: Now with the Yowie research whats the most interesting thing you’ve encountered?

CP: My dealings with the Yowie having boulders thrown at me in the middle of the night threw bush and very accurately landing around by my feet. And I was thinking at the time if this thing wanted to hit it was going to nail me between the eyes. Because these boulders were landing around me. Also have seen big boulders come up a 40’ ravine and and land by our feet as well.

Going along with that we get the same things as you guys, we get wood knocks, we get broken branches on the trees, we even believe we stumbled across nests as well in the bush. One of the things I have found every time I had an encounter with a yowie is a chirping sound. That follows an event. A recent one with the group and I were on happen to stumble into it, we were filming for a series we were doing. We were out looking for hauntings and we ended up in the middle of bush land in Easter Victoria. Long way from were I live unbenounced to us it was a yowie hotspot. And we were hearing whoops and call throughout the night and we were focused on one thing and the crypto side to come out for us was quiet an experience for us. It felt like we were being surrounded.

LD: Have you ever seen anything like eye shine.

CP: I have seen eye shine but I can’t be 100% sure it was from a Yowie. But I have seen eyeshine. Also I have smelled that really wet dog fur type smell on several occasions. And we actually sent audio to a biologist in Queensland of some whooping sounds we heard in the bush. He actually said “Craig you shouldn’t be hearing this sounds in the Australian bush because I can’t figure out what it is. I’m really interested in to know as well what animal as making that noise.
 
LD: Did he identify it as some kind of primate?

CP: Yeah he said it sounded very primate like.

LD: Now these chirps you were hear now in Australia you have lots of exotic animals well from your point of view. Did it sound like a bird?

CP: You know what it sounded like an electronic bird. If that makes sense. It was a very metallic sounding chirping sound. Now the first couple of time I heard it I did dismiss it as a bird. As we were hearing growling noises and have things thrown at us.
When we went to North Eastern Victoria, a place I had never been to before, thousands of miles away from where I do my normal research we had an experiences and heard the same sound. Now there are lots of birds around but as soon as the sun goes down they go quiet. So something would happen I was hearing the same sound from where I thousands of miles away in New South Wales. So I have spoken lots of Yowie researchers in Australia and they say they have not uncounted that. Just seems every time I'm having a experience with a Hairy man, Big foot, Yowie I’m hearing this sound it intrigued me as to what it is.

LD: Now description wise, how would you describe them? Color, size, weight.

CP: From reports I have read and artist drawings I have seen very, very much like your Big Foot.

LD: What do you think the differences are?

CP: Height wise, looking the same. Weight wise think we are looking the same. The Aboriginal People think it is a spiritual creature. There have been cave drawings date back 50,000 years of the Yowies, of the Aboriginals drawing these things. But like I said every description I seen or read looks exactly like a Big Foot.

LD: I have read couple of different stories that they seem more aggressive than Big Foot.

CP: I have only read about one attack on a Yowie researcher in Australia. Other than that we a called the Pilyart kind of like the outback in New South Wales it is one of the biggest national forest in the country. There are reports of then there being quiet aggressive. There are reports or truck drivers that won’t stop there at night along the Newell Highway, even to this day they won’t stop there. That is the area I had the boulders thrown at me during the night. But look wise, very much like your Big Foot.

LD: We talked about seeing tree breaks over there. How far off the ground are they, and what do you think they mean?

CP: That’s a really good question. Height wise I have seen then from all different levels some just a bit over my head so six and a half, seven foot. And when do see the tree breaks I wouldn’t say a pattern, but a distinct purpose to them. It’s kind of like you can’t try to follow the tree breaks. Other than than not much I can tell you. Not 100% sure it is a Yowie but for me I have seen them from knee level all the way to 6-7’.

LD: Have you seen any stick structures like we have had reports around here for Big Foot?

CP: I haven’t but we have stumbled across what we think are “Nests” lots of foliage and leaves all bundled up in an area.

LD: What we have seen, is them imitating Native teepees and making “X” in trees. And have had this on my own area with Aspen trees.

CP: No none myself.

LD: Ok, on the paranormal side weirdest encounter you have had?

CP: I wouldn’t know where to start (Laugh).

LD: What is the one you tell as a story most often?

CP: Look for the paranormal, my guys will tell you my thing is physical contact. If somebody is going to be pushed or punched or scratched or kicked or marked in any form it is generally always me! So there have been occasions where we were in an jail in New South Wales called Maitland Jail. We were in a cell where a man was know to hang himself, George Sifits.  And I remember sitting in the doorway one night asking George if he was still there to show me how he died.  The next minute my neck started to burn and I had what appeared to be a giant rope mark. All the way around from one ear to the other ear. We actually posted that on the Internet and the guys from the television series “My Ghost Story” actually saw it. Said that look pretty spectacular they flew down and we did an episode with them. They sent a crew down to do some “B” roll footage out at the jail and what they wanted to do is reenact what actually happened to me. As they are filming the reenactment as sat in the door way and ask for George. “George can you show how you died”, as the camera is rolling this big red rope mark appeared around my neck!

LD: They cataloged it? That is cool!!

CP: Yeah so it actually happened right in front of them! It has to be one of the weirdest ones!

LD: They defiantly pegs the weird-o-meter!

CP: If there is going to be physical contact I’m going to get it! I have seen things, felt things.
 For me and my crew and I it not about capturing evidence anymore. We don’t know how much more evidence that we need for proving the paranormal, the super natural, life after death whatever you want to call it. Now it’s more about figuring out why it happens. Why is it we see it and others don’t see it. What happens? Is it life after death is it multidimensional, what is it that is more along the lines why we research now. It not about finding evidence for us we got the evidence we need.  It is now trying to figure out how it all works.

LD: Have you gotten into, for a lack of a better term “helped “the spirits pass over. Have you gotten into that at all?

CP: It is not our specialty. A lot of the work when we first started was private cases. It was we were trying to help people answer the questions they had. “I’m seeing things: “I’m hearing stuff” “Can you try and help us figure out what it is?” That is more or less how we got started. Trying to figure out what they were seeing and hearing. If it was super natural we would refer them to people that could help them. As far has helping spirits pass over or move on it not something we specialize in. Look Leon in all seriousness, who am I to move something on, who am I? Maybe it is the purpose to be there is something to while they are still there. I can point them in the right direction to some one who can help them.

LD: Well its been great for you to take a few minutes to talk to me and been great to meet you. I appreciate the time. Its been great to meet another investigator from halfway around the world.

CP: Well, we will have to get you Down Under to look for the Yowie!

LD: I would love to will take you up on that someday!

CP: Also if anyone is interested there is a place in New South Wales called the Blue Mountains. It is very much like what we have been talking about here in Colorado, lots of huanting, Yowies, big cats and other stuff. It is also a hot spot for UFO’s kind of like our “Area 51”. If anyone is interested in paranormal stuff in Australia, check out the Blue Mountains!

LD: Well it has been a pleasure to meet you! Thanks have a great stay!
CP: you too!


 Altogether, Craig and I spent 3 hours talking and finding out the world is small and we have so much in common! I plan on taking him up on the invite, and hit the Blue Mountains Down under! Craig was having a little trouble with the elevation and the snow while he was here. It was 25 degrees this day and sunny but we had snow moving in! It was an amazing conversation and experience networking around the world!



Craig also found he liked my jeep a lot, I told him steering wheel was on the wrong side for him! Check out the Jail Museum and Craig’s Facebook pages.

Outlaws and Lawmen Jail Museum - Click Here!
WSPR - Click Here!

Signing off for now,
Leon Drew
“The Crypto Tracker”







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Critter photo by Larry Smith

This post by TCC Team member Leon Drew. Leon gallops the plains and rides tall in the saddle while in the mountains of the great state of Colorado. He is an Army Vet, History Buff, Telecom Engineer, Paranormal investigator, and Bigfoot Researcher.





Where to start? I was contacted by a gentleman “Larry” about a set of pictures he has. These were taken in his backyard on a game camera “Wild Game Innovations Model D8”. He has only sent me hard copies. None in original format. He states that the pictures show an entity that has appeared in his backyard on multiple occasions.  The description is they appear as a “translucent wing” in multiple colors and sizes. See inserted image above.

As a researcher, I try very hard to keep an open mind. To have no preconceived ideas or notions. So when I first talk to Larry I was very excited and interested. So without poisoning the pot. I will present his evidence and let you decide Please excuse the grammar and spelling as this a direct copy of his statements.

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Do They Help Research Or Hurt It?

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!

By Dorraine Fisher

With the influx of Bigfoot TV shows in the wake of a lot of breakthroughs in bigfoot research, a lot of researchers complain these shows make a mockery of them and those who are serious about the subject. Especially in light of so much money changing hands sometimes, and so many supposed authorities on the subject suddenly emerging out of the shadows.

"In my opinion, these TV bigfoot shows create a phony set of "experts" and the general public are just unaware that there are no "experts" when it comes to bigfoot. Thomas Marcum, founder of our team said in a recent statement. "Yes, there are some knowledgeable people out there, but please don't believe everything you see on these shows," he said. "They are created mostly for entertainment and profit."

Profit is the one big thing that factors in the most with these complaints about the shows. And it’s the main thing that gets under the skin of those researchers who work quietly in the background on a shoestring budget and don’t get too much credit for what they do and virtually no monetary reward.

And audiences, who are usually far removed from the technological and scientific side of research and everything that really goes on in real investigations can easily be convinced that individuals chosen for these shows are "experts" on the subject. It’s true that a few of them know a great deal, but most were chosen for the purpose of making the shows interesting and keeping people watching.

Another complaint is that the shows are more interested in turning a profit than really finding proof Bigfoot exists. But I’ve often heard, under the table in the dark, that if Bigfoot is proved to exist, then the mystery goes away. And the mystery is what sells it. So if you prove they exist, the money goes away. At least that’s what some fear. Many write books and create documentaries innocently enough in order to inform the public of their findings and tell their stories, but there will always be a few that just want to make money. And that creates the fear in the community that hoaxes are born from this mentality. And it severely cuts into those who do the work to actually prove existence. And that’s what the bigfoot TV shows often represent to them. Fame, money, and no proof or substance.

The shows like Finding Bigfoot tend to focus on footage that has become famous or infamous, and isn’t necessarily accepted by real researchers in the community. So viewers are led to believe all bigfoot researchers must also believe it too. When the truth is none of them agrees on every piece of footage that’s out there. All footage is fully scrutinized and debated endlessly.

And why aren’t the producers of these shows talking to the habituators: those people who claim to live near and work closely with sasquatches in something akin to a "Jane Goodall" type approach to sasquatch research based on proximity and trust building? You’d think those would be the people these shows would be the most curious about in getting some real footage of sasquatches. But maybe there’s a reason these researchers aren’t approached, as cryptozoologist, Sharon Day, founder of Ghost Hunting Theories explained in a recent conversation about sasquatches and approaching them in this way, under the belief that they are a type of human species.

"It’s misleading to show the public that going into a forest for a weekend is going to be how one gets evidence of Sasquatch. Rushing the woods in a disruptive manner is only going to put Sasquatch on their guard. They do not like intrusion by strangers and they will simply go deeper into hiding. If a cable channel wanted a true reality show with any chance of glimpses of the Sasquatch, a show would need to revolve around habituators, those who live in on property shared with Sasquatch clans. The residents would probably have to film the show themselves, something like "Ghost Adventures." It would need to unfold over time and with patience. The key thing with this "Habituation Situation" show would be to bring to light the family units of Sasquatch, their reticence in trusting us, and the way in which they are able to coexist with us with great dignity, given our antics on their land. Knocking on trees and hollering, disrupting the peace of the forest by strangers who are unpredictable, is the worst possible example to give the public of how to have Sasquatch encounters. Although it certainly makes for entertaining TV to see the use of crying baby dolls and fireworks, it is a dangerous example of how to handle a shy people like sasquatches."

In essence, that would take too much time and effort. Maybe that’s more of a project for Nova or National Geographic over a period of years.

So, is there anything good about these shows from the perspective of the researchers in the field? It seemed to me like a bit of a double-edged sword.

"There are a few people who get out in the woods often, who know more than most. But their reputation gets somewhat diminished because of the shows," says Washington State researcher, Tommy Naff. " For the outside observer, these shows do provide some value. But for the hard core researcher/enthusiast, the shows are more for passing time and amusement.

"I think it hurts as far as credibility…" Cripple Creek Colorado crytpozoologist and paranormal investigator, Leon Drew, said recently. "But puts more eyes in the woods."

This view is widely accepted among many. The shows brings more attention to the subject, but can detract from serious research that also deserves attention and doesn’t get it, as crytpid hunter, Adam Davies, who’s appeared on National Geographic documentaries and Monsterquest explains.

"I think they are certainly bringing more mainstream awareness of the subject to the general population. But I would really like to see one [show] which concentrates on a couple of really serious potential areas and concentrates professional and scientific resource. I am yet to see one that does not spend more than a week at most in an area and then moves on," he said.

But Massachusetts researcher, Dax Rushlow, a real researcher who was also a member of the original cast of Ten Million Dollar Bigfoot Bounty who also has recently casted some very interesting footprints from his area has a somewhat lighter overview from his perspective.

"It’s all just TV," he said. "I like the fact it brings Sasquatch out in the general public. I still do my research the correct way. Yes, some of the shows are bad, but it makes my life easier to do my business in this field."

Yes, the bigfoot craze on TV does bring a lot of trouble for those who are serious about the subject. But it also brings a lot of new fans to the subject too. And when people become fans of Bigfoot shows, whether they believe it all today or not, they’re more than likely the ones who’ll believe tomorrow. So maybe it’s a good thing to keep their attention???

And maybe it’s not bad to make money off of Sasquatch. And maybe it’s not bad to joke about the subject. We all do it from time to time. Just don’t make a mockery of the researcher’s work that takes a lot of time and patience and effort. Don’t lead viewers to believe it’s all so simple and cut and dry and that they all think the same way.

And maybe we shouldn’t expect miracles from these shows, or for them to be exactly the way we want them. Bigfoot shows may really only mean to entertain rather than inform. Isn’t that what TV is really supposed to be? So naturally it latched onto the subject of Bigfoot. Because Bigfoot, whether you believe or not, is like the rock star of the forest. Who wouldn’t latch on to that?

******DF

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Leon Drew - Cowboy and researcher of the unknown

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.


The interview series rides on in our 11th installment, who better to interview than modern day cowboy Leon Drew. Leon gallops the plains and rides tall in the saddle while in the mountains of the great state of Colorado. Not only does he research Bigfoot, he also guns down ghost in the spirit world by conducting ghost hunts. Nothing can escape this Posse! (Cue the western music)

- Start Interview -

Tom: How long have you been researching/studying Bigfoot?
LD: Last 5 years consistently but have been reading and studying the topic since 1974.

Tom: What got you interested in Bigfoot, Was there a particular event that got you started?
LD: Recently, it was after two visual encounters along the road I live on. Originally started after seeing  the TV show ‘In Search Of” and the  70’s  Bigfoot Docudrama.

Tom: During your research/studying of Bigfoot, have you ever encountered aggressive behavior or felt in danger from a Bigfoot?
LD: NO, my 3 visual encounters, 2  lasting only 3-5 seconds,  and the face to face, lasting about 45 seconds.  All was nonaggressive.

Tom: It seems Skeptics are always ready to attack Bigfoot research, How do you deal with it?
LD: 1) Ask then why they don’t believe. 2) give them examples of recently discovered species IS Bonobo Chimp. 3) Tell of my encounters and my theories. I, myself, am skeptical of all evidence I see and try and debunk it. If you have blind faith in all evidence you are not doing research, you are doing a injustice to the creature and the hope of ever getting “Mainstream Science” to accept it.

Tom: Would you like to see Bigfoot accepted and/or proven to the general public?
LD: I would like to see a major study done that has credible scientist on it along with experienced field researchers to identify and catalog the main species and the 3-5 subspecies that make up this cryptid. 

Tom: What is your favorite time of year to research/study Bigfoot, When do you have your most success?
LD: Late winter to early spring in the Pikes Peak region . As some snow is still around to see track lines but warm enough to  get  movement of family groups. Also before tourist season starts and the groups move deeper and higher up..

Tom: Do you have a favorite Bigfoot story or report?
LD: Yes, the one Dorraine Fisher took. (Speaking of his interview with DF - found Here )

Tom: What would you be doing if you wasn't researching/studying Bigfoot?
LD: Find some other reason to be in the wilderness! Also do more Paranormal research! I try to never stop learning and expanding my life knowledge!  We should never stop learning or yearning to expand our minds and souls!

TM: Thanks for doing the interview. Good luck with your research and we hope you always have happy trails.

- End Interview -

Over the yeas we have turned to Leon on several occasions, he has always helped us out and gave use some insight on varies things. So thanks for that as well.

As for me, my day is about spent, I think I'll just ride off into the sunset for today.

Moseying along
~Tom~
©The Crypto Crew




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why do some bigfoot stink?

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






























[Special Thanks to: Bobby Long, Leon Drew, Jc Johnson, Dale Drinnon for contributing to the article]


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




I’m always interested in picking all kinds of brains, and bigfoot and paranormal investigators top my list of brains to pick. It takes a special breed of person to do this kind of investigation; a special way of viewing the world and everything in it. And all the minds behind it have different ways of processing what they deal with every day.

Leon Drew, a telecom project manager for the U.S. Army at Ft. Carson, Colorado has had paranormal encounters for most of his life. He is a bigfoot researcher and ghost hunter in one of the most haunted towns in the U.S., Cripple Creek, Colorado and has appeared on the Travel Channel’s hit show, Ghost Adventures. Cripple Creek, these days a gambling town, sits on the southwest side of Pike’s Peak in the majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains. A little over a hundred years ago, a great gold rush happened there. Hundreds of wealth-seekers flocked to the area hoping to strike it rich, but many would be disappointed and many would lose their lives in the process. Leaving this little town, according to many locals, full of unsettled spirits of the dead.

And it’s also a town surrounded by some really beautiful mountain wilderness; perfect territory for Bigfoot. Ute Indian legend and modern day local reports would suggest that sasquatches are alive and well around Cripple Creek.

But how does one man live in the midst of this, process it, and still manage to lead a somewhat normal life? As I talked to Leon, I realized that his approach to his self-proclaimed strange life was pretty insightful.

Dorraine: All this stuff you do in Cripple Creek, ghost hunting, bigfoot research. How did it all start?

Leon: Well the ghost hunting started after helping start the Jail museum here, and I started having encounters.

Dorraine: What kind of encounters?

Leon: The first one happened during the day on a Saturday while I was there alone. I got tapped on the shoulder. I spun around and no one was there. I normally dress in 1880's cloths when I’m there, and had gun belt on, when I spun around I had my gun in my hand.

Dorraine: Ready to shoot something? (Laughs)

Leon: Yes (Laughs) Then I locked the door and checked the entire building and I was all alone.

The next one happened two years later during a haunted house fundraiser we were doing. I was doing all the special effects from my laptop. While resetting everything after a tour, I was in a dark hallway in the main cell block. As I looked up, I could feel someone watching me. There was a man standing there and he asked me, "When is it my turn to scare the hell out of someone?"

Dorraine: You could see him clearly?

Leon: He was as solid as me, about 6 feet tall, blue jean shirt and pants, clean shaven and clean cut. I thought he was one of the volunteers. I started to answer him, and he smirked and disappeared. I looked all around trying to figure out how someone did it... then realized it was a ghost.

Dorraine: Yikes! What about bigfoot encounters?

Leon: The Bigfoot started when I had two encounters with what I would say were juvenile Sasquatch crossing the road in front of my jeep.

Dorraine: Did you believe in all this stuff before these events happened?

Leon: Oh yes. My first spirit encounter happened when I was four. I saw my dead grandfather on our family farm. I’ve had lots of different encounters all over the country. Due to my military career I have

lived all over.

Dorraine: So you’ve had encounters of some sort everywhere you’ve lived?

Leon: Almost everywhere. Georgia, Arizona, New Mexico, and in Panama. Most have been on Army bases as they have had lots of action and deaths on them.

Dorraine: Do you think there's some significance to this? It seems to me that some people are like the chosen ones. Some see these kinds of things. Some don't. What do you think about that? Why do you think that is?

Leon: Well, I think a lot of it is being open minded. And observant.

Dorraine: So you're saying they have to be receptive to it?

Leon: I am very details oriented. And yes, also receptive.

Dorraine: Skeptics would say you'd have to be willing to believe crazy things. What would you say to that?

Leon: Well helps to be a little crazy in order to do this. But you need to be willing to push the reality envelope.

Dorraine: You mean being willing to expand your mind a bit to believe in things that aren't proven?

Leon: Yes, very much so.

Dorraine: How do people in Cripple Creek regard you? Do some say you're crazy?

Leon: No. Most everyone that lives here has had an experience of some type.

Dorraine: So this is a whole town of believers?

Leon: A small mountain mining town tends to attract unusual types anyway. They seem to be mostly believers, though some are skeptics. But it doesn't take long after you move here to have some type of happening.

Dorraine: What are their feelings about bigfoot?

Leon: The Bigfoot thing that can draw some interesting reactions.

Dorraine: Well, Cripple Creek’s a small town and in small towns, you get to know people pretty well. How do you think people there feel about the subject overall?

Leon: Most are open to something being possible.

Dorraine: As you've said they've all had strange experiences. It opens their minds a bit maybe?

Leon: Yes, most of them. Bigfoot reports in the area date back to Kit Carson and the Ute Indians.

Dorraine: And you’ve said you’ve seen Sasquatch twice?

Leon: Three visuals, two audios, and numerous signs.

Dorraine: I guess it’s safe to say you’ve seen a lot of unusual stuff. But, as far as everything you've seen collectively during your "career," have you ever been scared to death?

Leon: Not really. I’m always careful and respectful to both spirits and Sasquatch. After 18 years as a soldier and being in many hotspots, I don't get scared as easy.

Dorraine: Is that the only reason? Your military training? Or is there more to it?

Leon: I look at most things with a scientific mind and try to explain it that way.

Dorraine: Have you ever had a problem sorting it out logically or scientifically?

Leon: I feel that respect for all things makes it easier... also as spirits can sense it. Sometimes I use my Indian heritage side and think of it as a gift.

Dorraine: So staying calm and rationalizing is key in what you do?

Leon: Yes, and also not being intimidated by others.

Dorraine: But you're saying that you just see all this; all these weird things you’ve seen, as natural parts of the big picture of everything that exists?

Leon: Yes, everything is connected.

Dorraine: Okay, so you have a more spiritual view of it all? Every piece of the puzzle has its place, including ghost and sasquatches.

Leon: Yes, exactly. And we all need to show respect to all things and all beings.

Dorraine: So what it all comes down to is that it’s the energy you project.

Leon: And the energy you receive. I try to see all points of view but there are limits.

Dorraine: Well, it seems to work for you.

Leon: It does for me, but it does have its drawbacks.

Dorraine: Such as?

Leon: Social interactions and integrations. I’m not a sports person or a social drinker. So I’m a bit of a loner. But it allows for lots of reflection and interaction with Mother Earth.

Dorraine: So you think that your unusual life affects you socially? Or your lack of social interaction affects your unusual life?

Leon: Well, I’ve always have had an unusual life. A soldiers life is not normal. Then I’ve worked in the Telecom industry so I travel a lot.

Dorraine: How has your military career affected your outlook about this?

Leon: Well, I always observe everything. I’m always watching what goes on around me.

As we say, "Stay alert, stay alive!"

Dorraine: Interesting. I've read that a connection to the metaphysical starts with being awake or alert.

So because of your military training, by being alert, you’re seeing things that others don't. A lot of people seem to run around hypnotized. I’m guilty of that myself. (Laughs)

Leon: Some think so narrowly of both mental and physical visions. So wrapped up in their gadgets.

Dorraine: And their own personal struggles.

Leon: So many personal struggles are self-fulfilling.

Dorraine: So what do you say to the skeptics?

Leon: I understand the skeptics keeps you sharp. Everything I encounter I try to debunk.

To ensure it is real and not misinterpreted.

Dorraine: How does this affect your day job. Does all this interfere, or are you able to separate them well enough?

Leon: Actually it’s no issue with me at all. My job allows me to stay on top of the latest technology, I get support from my boss, and have gotten stories from coworkers.

I sometimes hesitate to ask the deeper questions about this subject. Bigfoot researchers and paranormal investigators can be understandably sensitive about how their views will be received. But I’ve been friends with Leon for a while now, and I knew he’d tell it the way he sees it. He doesn’t care much what people think. He knows what he knows. And it gives us all a really clear picture of how one man, through his Native American heritage and personal spiritual philosophies, has managed to make peace with it all. ******DF
[Here is another story we did with Leon -Face to Face with Sasquatch]



Conference hosted by Pikes Peak Crypto and SIR at Cripple Creek Heritage Center on May 4, 2013

Conference: 10:30-4:00 - Cripple Creek Heritage Center. Bring Lunch
Dinner: 5-6:30 - The Creek. Limited space to 50 people.
Ghost Hunt: 7-9/9-11 - Cripple Creek Jail. Very limited space. 10 people per hunt.
Optional Camping: - May 5 & 6 Location announced at Conference, Bring own equipment and food Not an official Pikes Peak Crypto or SIR event.

Cost : Cash only no checks or credit cards.
Conference - $10.00 per person or $25.00 per couple, cash only
Dinner - Responsible for buying own dinner
Ghost Hunt - $15.00 per person or $25.00 conference/hunt, cash only $40.00 per couple conference/hunt, cash only.
Camping: - No cost. Responsible to bring own equipment and food. Optional time for friends and fellow researchers. Not an official activity of Pikes Peak Crypto or SIR

For more information or to reserve your spot email - leon.drew@skybeam.com
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