Sasquatch Seeker's Field Manual: Using Citizen Science To Uncover North America's Most Elusive Creature

by David G. Gordon

Bestselling writer and naturalist David George Gordon delves into the remarkable history of one of the most iconic creatures of the Pacific Sasquatch. This new field guide introduces readers to the Sasquatch―also popularly known as Bigfoot―in nature, in myth, and in modern culture. Gordon explores folklore, testimonies and evidence, and modern day encounters. He pieces together the species’ physical features, behavior, and habitat, and suggests a “critical thinking” approach to the facts surrounding Sasquatch.

Whether or not you are the one to discover Sasquatch, The Sasquatch Seeker’s Field Manual, will help you become a better observer of nature, more knowledgeable data-gatherer, and skilled in basic tracking and wilderness navigation. Becoming a proficient citizen–scientist is a step toward bringing this creature into the spotlight of the scientific community. And along the way The Sasquatch Seeker’s Field Manual will give you a deeper appreciation for the impact it has had on our daily life, ranging from Sasquatch garden pavers to frozen Yeti Yogurt.

Genres: Paranormal, Bigfoot, Nonfiction, Reference

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2015

Reviews

[Syn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were to ever go out into the forest looking for Bigfoot. This book provided some excellent info on gear, hotspots, and stories about sightings from years gone by and the present.

A fun and interesting read, I highly enjoyed it! Gimme all the weird books!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit it - I'm a sucker for the Sasquatch. If he does exist, I'll probably never get a chance to see him and if he doesn't, I may "think" him into existence.

The author here is not a "typical" 'Sqatch hunter. He admits he is totally on the fence about the creature's existence but says that the only way we'll ever find out is by "citizen science." As he mentions, citizen science is actually used in many scientific endeavors. Regular people, like you and me, are given training concerning the protocol for a specific scientific study and then turned loose. SETI has used citizen science for years since they cannot possibly listen to every sound from space. People who hear an anomaly report it to SETI who then spends the time to analyze it. Bird migration patterns use citizens, too, as well as many other endeavors.

So Gordon outlines the protocol for scientific ventures and tells Sasquatch Seekers to use it. Don't run away and tell people you saw "a big hairy monster that looked like a person." Write down the day, the time, as detailed a description as you can of your location (GPS anyone?) and the surrounding territory. Is it rainy? Cold? Hot? Rain forest or open plain?

Of course all this assumes that you aren't scared to death by just seeing the thing. But I think Gordon is right. Relying on grainy videos, not well defined casts of purported footprints, verbal reportings and such will never "prove" whether Sasquatch exists. People need to document their sightings.

Gordon also dismisses the idea that there cannot be a Sasquatch. Many strange plants and animals have only been discovered lately and mostly by chance. Of course, we have bodies for these - like the coelacanth, the "so-called living fossil." And it wasn't until 1901 that Europeans believed that the okapi, a relative of the giraffe, existed. Gordon does NOT propose that hunters go out, find a Sasquatch and kill it, just for proof. But he does suggest that looking for remains will help - a skull, bones, mummified skin, etc.

So please don't laugh or ridicule those of us who want to believe. I'm not sure that, even with Gordon's ideas, we will ever find him, if he does exist. But Gordon takes the most logical approach to proof that you'll find in this field.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it - but I'm really into Bigfoot lore. :)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, first off, is very cute. Its small size and durable construction do, indeed, give it the appearance of a backpack-ready field guide. The author offers tips and tricks for Sasquatch stalkers and a little Bigfoot history, interspersed with anecdotal sidebars about famous sightings, hoaxes, etc. etc. There's even one about the Weekly World News (may that venerable journalistic institution rest in peace -- its impact on my childhood cannot be underestimated). The book is somewhat entertaining and the author advocates an admirable approach to Squatchology. It would serve as a decent introduction to the subject.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit it - I'm a sucker for the Sasquatch. This was the cutest book that I could find, from among many, at the Mt St Helens gift shop potpourri. It was an enjoyable, quick read that I polished off on the bus enroute back from Sasquatch country. There are several facts and some background on those who have hunted the elusive beast -- and those who have pranked the world. About 1/3 of the book describes Sasquatch country; one third is dedicated to documentation techniques and the first third is history. I'll never be a scientist, but if I ever spy one of these, I'm now able to properly document the experience.

[Tim Blandford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this book up at the Espresso Chalet on the way to the mountains for a weekend of hiking. Enjoyable quick read that was both informative and interesting in it's goal of helping individuals understand how to formalize "citizen science" undertakings. Helped set the mood for the weekend as well.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a fun read.