sanjay r singhal, ra · 2008. 11. 1. · 2012. web. accessed 6 september 2014. 3 the 2008 waterfowl...

SANJAY R SINGHAL, RA

Copyright © 2014 Sanjay R Singhal. All rights reserved.

FIELD REPORT 11.01.2008A

Location: Area D

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008

Time: 1000am to 1200pm EDST, approximate

Weather: Mainly sunny, with scattered clouds; breezy and rather warm for the season

Present : Myself, and others (names changed and/or withheld for publication)

Sanjay’s Note: Certain aspects of this report may be more subjective in their perspective; the reader’s gracious

indulgence is requested. Not all of these phenomena are understood, yet are reported nonetheless as an integral

and vital portion of my own investigations.

Items Noted:

Chuck Johnson* and I, after some initial discussions, decided to explore Area D, based on my experience there

in the summer of 2003,1 and to hike the dune trails, looking for possible signs of activity: footprints, branch

assemblies, etc. In all honesty, I did not know what to expect, if anything; my visit to Area D in September had

been quite startling, to say the least. I recall wondering if anything would happen.

From the carpark, the trails were mostly clear, level paths through the trees, passing through wetlands and then

rising over multiple, heavily wooded dunes to descend, finally, to the beach. Although it was the middle of

waterfowl/small game season,2 3 we only passed a few people on the trail; most of the hunters were away from

the dunes, in the expansive marshes further east and south.

As we crested the first dune, I noticed, in the sand, a set of footprints that seemed rather odd in their ascension.

Deep sand is difficult to negotiate: these simply walked straight up a sharply pitched dune and over the top.4 I

pointed these out to Chuck, and it was then we realised that the prints were much larger, with longer strides,

than either of us could manage.5

(Continued on next page)

1 Sanjay R Singhal, RA. Field Report July 2003: Area D. Beyond The Forest.

http://beyondtheforestblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/field-report-july-2003-area-d-2/. 2 August 2014. Web. Accessed 12 August

2014. 2 The 2008 Small Game Season included Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus

virginianus), and Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus); all of which ended 14 November 2008, in anticipation of White-Tailed Deer

Firearm Season, beginning 15 November. Brian J Frawley. 2008 Small Game Harvest Survey. Michigan Department of Natural

Resources. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/WLD_report_3540_2008_small_game_harvest_survey_388073_7.pdf. May

2012. Web. Accessed 6 September 2014. 3 The 2008 Waterfowl Season, on 1 November, included only ducks; Canada Goose season did not begin until 27 November. Brian J

Frawley. 2008 Waterfowl Harvest Survey.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/WLD_report_3543_2008_waterfowl_harvest_survey_388076_7.pdf. Michigan Department

of Natural Resources. June 2012. Web. Accessed 6 September 2014. 4 Reports of EC encounters are not as rare as one might think; one notable example is the Caseville incident, near Lake Huron, in the

summer of 1965. Kathy Strain. Young Girls Have Sighting near Lake Huron. Alliance of Independent Bigfoot Researchers.

http://www.bigfootresearch.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=199. 18 March 2008. Web. Accessed 3 September 2014. 5 Dr HW Fahrenbach. Bigfoot Biology: Sasquatch Dimensions and Traits. Originally published in Cryptozoology, Volume 13; pp47-

75 as Sasquatch: Size, Scaling and Statistics. 2 October 1998. Reprinted on Bigfoot Encounters.

http://www.bigfootencounters.com/biology/henner.htm. Date Unknown. Web. Accessed 31 August 2014.



Chuck and I are both big men; I am 6'-2”, and Chuck is probably 5'-10” or 5-11”. The strides of these prints

were well over six feet (6ft, or 1.83m), and impressed deeply into the sand, almost two to four inches (2-4in, or

5.08-10.16cm).6 Neither Chuck nor I could impress our heavy hiking boots into the sand more than a quarter-

inch or so.7

This photograph presents the line of prints observed on the dune slope; the image is reproduced in black and

white, with red highlights, for easier view. Notice the depth of the prints in the sand, and the progress of same

directly up the dune slope, in a clear, straight line.8 Notice also the very wide stride length, which neither

Chuck nor I could match; also notice the lack of turn-out, or straddle, in the prints.9 Further review of this

photograph has revealed a second line of prints, across the bottom of the image, and highlighted in red on the

right. An isolated, anomalous print, highlighted again on the right, appears to be part of a sequence of prints

running nearly vertically up the dune slope; regrettably, this was not observed at the time of my visit.


6 Barbara Wasson. Tracking the Sasquatch: How to Track the Elusive Pacific Northwest Hominid, by a Professional Tracker.

Reprinted Bigfoot Encounters. http://www.bigfootencounters.com/biology/tracking.htm. Date Unknown. Web. Accessed 3

September 2014. One of the best articles discussing EC tracks, their making, and how to track them. 7 Unusually deep tracks are not uncommonly reported in EC encounters and/or sightings. One of the most remarkable of these was

reported in Jefferson County, Washington, in 2013. Ghee Bouché. Camper Photographs Possible Footprints at Lena Lake in

Buckhorn Wilderness. Bigfoot Field Researchers’ Organisation. http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=42304. 21 October

2013. Web. Accessed 8 September 2014. 8 One of the earliest reports highlighting the depth of large, bipaedal tracks was made in 1958 at Bluff Creek (yes, that Bluff Creek!)

by Betty Allen of the Humboldt Times. Betty Allen. Times Reporter has a look at Tracks; Says they’re Real. Humboldt Times;

September 1958. Reprinted: Bigfoot Encounters. http://www.bigfootencounters.com/articles/humboldt_times1958.htm. Date

Unknown. Web. Accessed 8 September 2014. 9 Almost all lines of EC tracks present a noticeable lack of straddle; this characteristic is frequently used to differentiate EC tracks

from human tracks. Guy Edwards. Bigfoot Walks as if on Tightropes; A Gorilla Does It Literally. Bigfoot Lunch Club.

http://www.bigfootlunchclub.com/2012/12/bigfoot-walk-as-if-on-tightropes.html. 24 December 2012. Web. Accessed 31 August

2014.



This photograph presents more fully the line of prints observed on the dune slope; the image is reproduced in

black and white, with red highlights, for easier view. Notice the depth of the prints in the sand,10 and the

progress of same directly up the dune slope, in a clear, straight line. Notice also the lack of turn-out, or

straddle, in the prints.11

The following comment is reproduced here by kind permission of my friend and fellow enthusiast Bob Daigle,

who reviewed this Report when first published:

“Sanjay, I have done a fair amount of walking on sand dunes in various places around North America.

I believe when walking uphill on sand I tend to keep my feet more widely apart and toes point more to

the outside than in normal walking. Unless the sand is wet, my tracks tend to be rounded and indistinct.

A heavy individual's track may penetrate into a moister layer of sand somewhat below the surface, and

thereby leave a more distinct outline. How do you walk up difficult sand dunes? The series of tracks in

your photo shows opposite characteristics.” Bob D


10 Ibid, Bouché. 11 Ibid, Edwards.






straddle, in the prints.13 Notice the incredible depth of each print,14 especially when compared to the other

animal prints in situ. This image also provides a good reference for the height and steepness of the dune. Due

to the extraordinary number of tracks on the dune, it is not clear if the lower right-hand print is part of this

sequence. The second line of prints, highlighted on the red, curving line in the lower right-hand corner, were

not observed in situ, but only later, upon further review of the photograph.

We then noticed a footpath running along the top of the dune, rising into a tall, wooded ridge; we followed this

path, hoping to see more of the large footprints. As we moved up the path, I noticed another, rather unusual

print, deeply embedded into the ground.

“Chuck, what is that?” I asked him. “Is it a cougar track?”

Chuck could not identify it.


12 Ibid, Bouché. 13 Ibid, Edwards. 14 Ibid, Bouché.



It should be noted that, for the purposes of this Report, Chuck Johnson is an extremely experienced

outdoorsman and hunter, with an extensive knowledge of game, tracking, and wildlife. I do not think it was a

Coyote (Canis latrans);15 canines do not have long, extended claws. They have nails. Furthermore, a canine

print is beautifully symmetrical, with matched pairs of toes of even dimensions.16 It may have been a Cougar

(Puma concolor)17 or Bobcat (Lynx rufus);18 however, felines sheath their claws while walking or running.19

Their toes are not as widespread as this, but grouped closely.

This photograph presents the unusual track found on the trail which ascended the high dunes, which neither

Chuck nor I could identify. Subsequent research and followup has suggested a possible identification of this

track as Wolverine (Gulo gulo);20 the animal has been sighted in Michigan, in various locales.21 22

15 National Trappers Association Author(s). Coyote. National Trappers Association. http://www.nationaltrappers.com/coyote.html.

2012. Web. Accessed 7 September 2014. 16 Michigan DNR Author(s). Distinguishing Cougar, Coyote and Bobcat Tracks. Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_43573-146656--,00.html. 2014. Web. Accessed 7 September 2014. 17 Michigan DNR Author(s). Cougar. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-

10370_12145_43573---,00.html. 2014. Web. Accessed 7 September 2014. 18 Michigan DNR Author(s). Distinguishing Characteristics between Similar-Looking Species. Michigan Department of Natural

Resources. http://www.michigandnr.com/observationreports/Distinguishing_characteristics.pdf. Date Unknown. Web. Accessed 7

September 2014. 19 The sole exception, however, is the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), which, I am quite certain, does not reside in the state of Michigan! 20 This identification is based on the asymmetrical characteristics of the track, which present some similarity to those of the

Wolverine. Notably, the fifth toe is missing. Nature Mapping Project Author(s). Wolverine Project. Jackson Hole Wildlife

Foundation. http://www.naturemappingjh.org/Wolverine-Project.aspx. 2013. Web. Accessed 7 September 2014. 21 A lone wolverine was spotted in Bad Axe (Sanilac County) in the “thumb” of Michigan, in 2004; it was reported dead in 2012, and

then mounted for display. Michigan DNR Author(s). The Wolverine. Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10369_46675_57974-253814--,00.html. 2014. Web. Accessed 7 September 2014. 22 Subsequent, similar track findings at Area F, to be published forthwith, suggest a breeding population of Wolverine in southern

Michigan, although this has not been confirmed in any way.



Furthermore, Chuck definitely stated that this was not a feline print. I do not think it was a bear; bear prints

look almost human, and are shaped accordingly. Could it have been a bird of prey? I do not know enough

about raptor claws to definitively state this; it left a clear, deep impression in the ground where my 220lbs

barely made a dent.

As we continued upwards through the dunes, we both commented on the utter lack of any sound that morning;23

there were no squirrels, gulls, ducks or any type of wildlife to be seen or heard. Although it was the first day of

duck season, it was still remarkably quiet, almost eerily so.

I began to notice odd arrangements of branches in the woods, scattered about; were these possible branch

assemblies?24 The answer was not readily discernible, if so; there were only a few branches placed together,

and no apparent signs of interweaving or calculated assembly, unlike those I had seen in Ohio.25 It is possible

that the park rangers may have set these branches aside as well, on a temporary basis. These may also have

been deer blinds, hastily thrown up by hunters.26 27 Nonetheless, there were certainly quite a few of them!

We continued on our hike, descending the trail into a narrow, wooded gorge. Both Chuck and I noticed heavy

tree limbs dragged across the path as it led downwards into the gorge.28 The air was remarkably still, and

silent; I could not help feeling distinctly uneasy.29 I must state that I truly felt that there was....something....at

the bottom of the gorge. The eerie quiet in the golden light of the trees belied the reality of the darkness ahead

of us. The stillness was overwhelming, deafening.

Both Chuck and I decided to return up the trail and continue through the dunes towards the lakefront. Chuck

even remarked that he did not feel comfortable,30 and that this was an unusual response for him in the woods; as

I have mentioned, he is an experienced outdoorsman and hunter.


23 The utter stillness and quiet of the woods has been observed, and commented upon, several times, by several persons; it is not

uncommon in conjunction with reported sightings and/or encounters. BFRO Authors. Silent Woods. The Bigfoot Field Researchers’

Organisation. http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/archive.php?ac=t&forumid=125336&date=02-24-2010&t=2120282-1. 24 February

2010. Web. Accessed 5 August 2014. 24 As unbelievable as this may sound, I did not photograph them; in view of what I would later discover at Area D, it was, to say the

least, a regrettable action. A great deal of information might have been learned from these arrangements. Sigh…. 25 Sanjay R Singhal, RA. Field Report 05.18.2007: Salt Fork State Park. Beyond The Forest.

http://beyondtheforestblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/03/field-report-05-18-2007-salt-fork-state-park/. 3 August 2014. Web. Accessed

10 August 2014. 26 Both Chuck Johnson* and I determined that the branch arrangements, or assemblies, certainly appeared artificial; they were not the

results of natural events, ie storm/wind damage, or deadfall. Nonetheless, outside any direct observation, it was not possible to

accurately determine, or even suggest, their origin. 27 The 2008 White-Tailed Deer season began 27 September (Youth Firearms only); Early Archery season began 1 October, and ended

14 November. The state-wide firearm season did not begin until 15 November. Brian J Frawley. Michigan Deer Harvest Survey

Report: 2008 Seasons. Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/report3499_281614_7.pdf. June 2009. Web. Accessed 28 August 2014. 28 Again, the use of heavy tree limbs laid across the path is remarkably similar to those encountered at Foley Swamp. Sanjay R

Singhal, RA. Field Report 08.13.2008: Foley Swamp (with Addendum). Beyond the Forest.

http://beyondtheforestblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/22/field-report-08-13-2008-foley-swamp-with-addendum/. 22 August 2014.

Web. Accessed 22 August 2014. 29 The use of infrasound cannot be eliminated as a source of my discomfort. Cliff Barackman. A Case for Infrasound.

CliffBarackman.com. http://cliffbarackman.com/research/articles-2/a-case-for-infrasound/. 2013. Web. Accessed 3 August 2014. 30 Ibid.



As we continued through the heavily wooded dune trails, which rise and fall like great waves, we again noticed

larger, more complex branch assemblies here and there through the trees; however, these were not of sufficient

complexity of construction for us to definitely conclude their origin. We emerged from the woods into brilliant

sunshine, finally; the trail surface of finely-packed earth became deep beach sand, rising slightly up a great

dune, heavily grassed but for the path. As we began to ascend, I suddenly turned around, and looked into the

woods, from which we had just come.

I felt....a presence.

Something was following us.31

“Chuck!” I asked him, “Do you hear anything?” We both cupped our ears towards the tree-line, straining to

hear footsteps or movement through the brush.

“No,” he answered. “Do you see anything?” he asked me.

I did not see anything, but the feeling of its presence was noticeably strong.32 I was puzzled; whatever it was, it

chose to stay out of sight, just within the trees, still shadowed, in the morning sun, by the wooded dune hills to

the northeast.

I then noticed a secondary trail, heading straight up the dune, branching off to our right. I also noticed large,

wide footprints climbing the trail, considerably larger and deeper than my own.33 Rather than wreck the

footprints, I began to climb this trail alongside, through the grass, in an effort to pace them; Chuck, on the other

hand, went around the dune and stayed on the main trail.

As I crested the dune, enjoying the blazing hot sun, I suddenly felt....

Something was following me.34

It was on the trail, at the bottom of the slope...I turned around. There was nothing there.

But the feeling of its presence was even stronger. What was going on?35

“Chuck!” I called out, “Do you see anything?” Chuck did not, in fact, he was following another set of tracks. I

began to descend the other side of the dune, heading towards the beach. Without a sound, or suggestion of

movement, I suddenly felt a large, powerful presence, immediately behind me, there, on the trail.

Something was following me, and it was extremely large....

31 To this day, I have been unable to explain what, exactly, I felt, or how I felt it. I made no visual observation; nothing physically

appeared on the trail, which might have been verified by Chuck Johnson. Nonetheless, as I have outlined above, I felt

that…something…was following us along the path, out of the woods, into the dune meadows, and that…something…was very large,

and very…black. 32 The Ron Mowers story may be considered a close approximation of my own, for the purposes of this Report. Lynn Arave and Zack

van Eyck. Utah Man says He’s seen Bigfoot 9 Times. The Desert News; 7 June 1997. Reprinted: Bigfoot Encounters.

http://www.bigfootencounters.com/articles/ronmower3.htm. Date Unknown. Web. Accessed 8 September 2014. 33 Ibid, Wasson. 34 Ibid, Arave and van Eyck. 35 I truly wish I could describe this more accurately, and completely. I had, at the time, absolutely no doubt in my mind that

something…was standing on the trail…and that it was following me.



I turned around.

I cannot explain what I experienced at that moment: it was standing right behind me.

But what was it? Why could I not see it? I certainly felt it; it was quite large, and thus quite powerful. I

distinctly felt, somehow, that it was male. Strangely, however, I did not feel threatened, merely puzzled. I did

not feel that I was in danger, but I certainly felt uncomfortable. I wonder if the...thing, whatever it was, perhaps

realised that I was able to feel its presence, and so, being curious, decided to follow me.

It was definitely not human. But it was also, most definitely, not an animal.

It was...something else.36




straddle, in the prints.38

36 I must reiterate: I did not make a visual observation of this creature; I cannot define its appearance in any other way. It was very

large, and very rough-looking and hairy, but that is all. It is not unreasonable to suggest EC; however, despite its size and its

hairiness, it did not resemble EC in any other fashion. It had almost no shoulders, and its head sat very low on its neck (there was no

discernible neck, actually). It had long arms, and some type of hands; I recall no further details. I did not see any facial features, yet I

have no doubt that as I stood there, staring at this…thing…it was looking right back at me. 37 Ibid, Bouché. 38 Ibid, Edwards.



This photograph presents more fully one of the prints observed on the dune slope; the image is reproduced in

black and white, for easier view. Notice the astonishing depth of the print in the sand,39 and the outline of the

foot; although somewhat deteriorated by weather, it is still quite clear, and readily discernible.

How long I stood there, I cannot recall. It seems only a second or two; perhaps it was longer. Nonetheless, I

recall that Chuck called out to his dog, and I turned my head…and it was gone.

I did not return along the trail, but came down the dune slope directly towards Chuck. He was standing at the

edge of a large, sandy bowl, stretching towards the beach for several hundred yards. In the morning light, it was

apparent that many different types of animals had traversed the sand, leaving their footprint trails behind.

Not all of them were quadrupaedal.

At first, both we thought that the prints were those of someone jogging, perhaps, across the sand, based on the

stride. However, we realised that the depth of the prints was truly incredible: consistently two to three inches

(2-3in, or 5.08-7.62cm) with each print.40


39 Ibid, Bouché. 40 Ibid.



These photographs present more fully the line of prints observed on the dune surface; the images are

reproduced in black and white, with red highlights, for easier view. Notice the depth of the prints in the sand,41

and the progress of same directly across the dune surface, in a clear, straight line. Notice also the lack of turn-

out, or straddle, in the prints.42 Notice also the incredible depth of each print,43 especially when compared to

the other animal prints in situ.

The following comment is reproduced here by kind permission of my friend and fellow enthusiast Bob Daigle:

“Sanjay, Thanks for the excellent photography and analysis. In the 2nd last photo, what is truly

impressive is how shallow the boot tracks are next to the deep track impression. Also, there appear to be

two fracture cracks in the sand emanating outward from the deep track. When you use the term “arch”

in connection with this track, I hope readers aren't looking for a human type arch, which occurs only on

the inside part of the human sole, and is convex relative to the rest of the foot bottom. The arch which

you have pointed out is something which someone faking tracks would be unlikely to include.” Bob D

41 Ibid, Bouché. 42 Ibid, Edwards. 43 Ibid, Bouché.



These photographs present close-ups of the footprints found on the dune surface. In the first image, notice the

clearly defined mid-tarsal break,44 in the second image, notice the depth of the print, breaking the surface of the

dune to impress nearly three inches (3in, or 7.62cm). In the same image, notice the booted prints in the

foreground; they are my own. Try as I might, I was not able to replicate the depth or the size of the prints.45

This photograph presents the prints I made by sprinting across the sand; notice how my left boot leaves a deep

impression, but my right boot barely impacts the surface. Additionally, notice the obvious straddle, and turn-

out, which were not evident in the prints found in this location.

44 Dr Jeff Meldrum. Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science. New York: Macmillan Publishers; 2007. 45 Ibid, Bouché.



For comparison, I sprinted rather quickly across the surface of the sand: my left boot seemed to go deeper into

the sand than my right boot, which made for a rather lopsided set of impressions. The bipaedal prints in the

sand, however, were consistently deep for both the left and right feet.

It was then that I noticed that the prints did not appear to be made by either shoes or boots; they were clearly

those of bare feet. Extremely...large...bare…human-like…feet.46

Oh, my god!

Chuck and I reviewed the prints again; they were enormous. Regrettably, I did not have a tape-measure,47 and

so used the sole of my black Timberland boots as a guide; the prints were considerably larger in all cases.

Chuck and I continued to the beach, but did not find any further prints or other evidence suggesting habitation,

or even migration. Our weekend plans included a visit to Watson Hill Farm (see published Report for this

location) as well as an overnight visit to Saddle Lake Campground (ditto); we returned to the carpark, and left

the area shortly thereafter.

Respectfully submitted,

Sanjay R Singhal, RA

*Name(s) changed for publication

46 Ibid. 47 It goes without saying that I should have been more prepared, but in all honesty, I had not expected to find anything.



FIELD REPORT 11.01.2008A

SUMMARY

Substantiation of this Report may be provided, in part, by similar published reports in the Michigan dunes on

the BFRO website, notably at Sleeping Bear Dunes48 and at Caseville, in Huron County.49 No doubt there are

additional, similar reports of this type, which may not be published.

Further substantiation may be provided by my own field work at Area D, which began in earnest at this time

and which has continued, albeit at intervals, through the autumn of 2014; future field work at this location has

not yet been determined. Numerous behaviours and evidences documented therein suggest the presence of EC

at Area D, although permanent habitation has not been confirmed. Nonetheless, it is reasonable to suggest a

significant level of activity throughout the year.

The combination of physical, visual, audible and/or olfactory events described in this Report are as follows:

1. The numerous footprints observed on the dune slopes;

2. The overall shape, size and depth of the footprints observed;

3. The line of travel, lack of turn-out, lack of straddle, and stride length of the footprints observed;

4. The numerous, possible branch assemblies observed in the woods;

5. The horizontal branches dragged across the trail.

Based upon these behaviours, and the history, it is reasonable to suggest the presence of EC50 at Area D;

subsequent investigations and field visits have yielded a remarkable wealth of information, which will be

published as part of my on-going efforts to update my Reports from this location.

A number of subjective events also occurred. While these cannot be considered conclusive evidence, neither

should they be discounted. Although it is reasonable to review the impact of non-objective stimuli in this

Report, such effects, while personally quite vivid and at times overwhelming, are nonetheless nearly impossible

to substantiate with any measure of certainly.

48 Kim Fleming. Description of Several Strange Encounters along Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline. Bigfoot Field

Researchers’ Organisation. http://www.bfro.net/gdb/show_report.asp?id=37797. 27 November 2012. Web. Accessed 9 September

2014. 49 BFRO Author(s). Apelike Creature Seen by Children on a Sand Dune near Caseville. Bigfoot Field Researchers’ Organisation.

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=5652. 15 January 2003. Web. Accessed 9 September 2014. 50 EC, in this context, stands for “Elder Children”, as usual.

sanjay r singhal, ra · 2008. 11. 1. · 2012. web. accessed 6 september 2014. 3 the 2008 waterfowl...

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