By Amber Ford
The Mountain Times
Bigfoot: Man, myth or a creature yet to be identified by scientists? For centuries the idea of Bigfoot or Sasquatch has mystified locals in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. From television series hosted by scientists and amateur research teams to legends passed down through different Native American tribes across the country, the idea of Bigfoot has become a popular conversation – fact or fiction.
Whether this real or fictional creature knows it or not, Bigfoot has become the unofficial mascot of the Pacific Northwest. From eyewitness accounts to some scientific evidence in the form of footprints, hair specimens, eyewitnesses and vocal recordings, the idea of Bigfoot sharing our National Forests is not so far-fetched. Mt. Hood Villages resident and dedicated Bigfoot researcher Todd Neiss not only believes these creatures exist, but has done extensive research which has been featured on several different television programs over the course of the last decade. “Over the course of the past three decades, I have conducted numerous investigations, as well as led several full-scale expeditions across the US and Canada,” Neiss said. “One of the largest expeditions I led was called “Operation: Sea Monkey” in 2016. This was a full-scale expedition unlike any other in that we chartered a 50-foot trawler out of Campbell River, British Columbia, and used it as a base of operations while conducting research in the remote Broughton Archipelago, a chain of over 90 small uninhabited islands between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland,” Neiss added. While that particular expedition produced no tangible evidence to support the claim, Neiss regarded this experiment as a successful test run for future investigations.
While investigative professionals such as Neiss regard the Pacific Northwest as a hotspot of sorts for research on Bigfoot, local Oregonians have had their fair share of experiences when it comes to this elusive creature. According to Rob Nees of Portland, his experience not only made him a firm believer in the idea of Bigfoot, but he also shared this most unique moment with his wife while camping out near Hagg Lake. According to Neiss, his experience was not only hair-raising, but a most memorable part of his life in Oregon. “My wife Allison, and I rented a canoe and were fishing in the middle of the lake which is surrounded by forest,” Nees said. “There’s a little clearing on what I think is the north that goes up a hillside. We were both looking that way and saw this rusty/brown thing run across the clearing maybe 150 yards away. At first I thought it was a bear but it was definitely running upright on two legs. It was quite tall and really fast. Allison and I looked at each other and exclaimed, “did you see that?!” Nees added.
Although research has provided some evidence with regard to hair samples, footprints and vocal recordings, eyewitness testimonies have become the backbone of many studies on the creature. “I observed several creatures while researching on the Omaha Indian Reservation in 2020,” Neiss said. “These were nocturnal encounters where, in combination with vocalizations,my team and I observed the phenomenon of “eye shine” in pitch blackness over a period of five nights,” Neiss added.
While a firm confirmation on whether or not these creatures truly do share the National Forests, coastlines and Pacific Northwest communities with humans, it is fair to say that dedicated researchers such as Neiss will continue their work on positively locating and identifying this most elusive creature. “The bigfoot is a species unlike any other,” Neiss said.
“Their survival depends on stealth and evasion. I believe they have specialized natural capabilities which aid them in their ability to remain elusive and difficult to detect. I am currently working on several theories which will prove my hypothesis,” Neiss added.