The Untamed Wilds
Deep in the forests of Southeastern Oklahoma, among the tangled vegetation and infant mountains, there roams a creature that legends are made of. It stands over eight feet tall, and has razor sharp claws that can rip the flesh off any living creature. Covered in a thick weave of fur, this creature quietly blends in with the surrounding vegetation. For those who seek it, it remains elusive; only trace evidence of its existence remains.
In Oklahoma, it is known as the Boggy Bottom Monster. Across the world, it’s better known as Bigfoot.
Legends of Bigfoot
The Kiamichi Mountains lie in a part of Oklahoma that remains wild and free. Meandering streams, creeks and vast tracts of dense, uninhabited forest make this area prime Bigfoot territory. Numerous expeditions have been conducted throughout the Kiamichi Mountains, and while tales of this mysterious creature abound, little evidence is presented to support their claims. This Oklahoma Bigfoot has been called everything from a gentle giant to a voracious beast.
According to legend, this Oklahoma Bigfoot resides near Clear Boggy Creek in Southeast Oklahoma, near the town of Honobia located high in the Kiamichi Mountains. The legendary cryptid stands between seven to eight feet tall and is covered all over with reddish brown hair. Reportedly, from eye-witness accounts, the Boggy Bottom Monster makes sounds that resemble that of wild birds, similar to that of the whippoorwill and certain owls. This creature is said to weigh in excess of 500 pounds. Witnesses have also described large eyes, a pronounced brow ridge, and a large, low-set forehead; the top of the head has been described as rounded and crested, similar to the sagittal crest of the male gorilla. Bigfoot is commonly reported to have a strong, unpleasant smell by those who have claimed to have encountered it.
Sightings of Bigfoot in Oklahoma have been going on long before statehood. Native Americans would tell tales of large human-like beasts roaming through the woods.
The first recorded sighting in Oklahoma happened in the Spring of 1942, where two Sisters observe tall hairy creature running away from them. since then, sightings have been well documented, and happen quite frequently. Most of the sightings happen in LeFlore county, where at least 18 sightings have been officially reported.
In May of 2009, footprints of the Oklahoma Bigfoot were found in the Kiamichi Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma. The dimensions of the footprint is reported to be five inches wide and fifteen inches long. D. W. Lee, director of the Mid-America Bigfoot Research Center said of the find, “The toes were clearly visible on the cast after it was lifted up.”
While many of these sightings of Bigfoot have been proven to be hoaxes, cryptozoologists still faithfully study every reported sighting in hopes of discovering a long lost link in humanity.
A Local Legend Celebrated
Located on Indian Highway, just a few miles Southwest of Gobblers Knob, Honobia is a mecca for Bigfoot believers. The town of Honobia holds an annual Bigfoot convention every year, complete with keynote speakers from the scientific community. Typically, the Bigfoot convention includes lectures on the truth of Bigfoot, Bigfoot ATV hunts, costume contests, and instructions on how to hunt for Bigfoot.
Honobia takes great pride in their Bigfoot traditions, as more sightings of Bigfoot have occurred around this sleepy little town high in the Kiamichi Mountains than anywhere else in Oklahoma.
Amusing Myth, or Stunning Reality?
For the most part, scientists discount the existence of Bigfoot because the evidence supporting belief in the survival of a prehistoric apelike creature resembling humans is scarce. The proof for Bigfoot’s existence consists mainly of eyewitness accounts from Bigfoot enthusiasts, barely distinguishable footprints of questionable origin, and pictures that could easily have been of apes or humans in ape suits. There are no bones, no droppings, no artifacts, no dead bodies – in fact, there has been absolutely no real proof that Bigfoot exists. Even so, there are plenty of sightings reported every day. To this day, there is no evidence that any individual or community of such creatures dwells anywhere near any of the “sightings.” The evidence points more towards hoaxing and delusion than real discovery.
There are those who are adamant that Bigfoot exists. While that possibility always exists, as there are thousands of uninhabited miles of forest across the United States, the probability of Bigfoot roaming around these areas is negligible.
Does Bigfoot really exist?
That’s up to you to decide.
© 2010 | Eric Standridge
