In early 2008, I had the privilege of boxing Ray Crowe's Western Bigfoot Society and International Bigfoot Society records for their sale to North American Bigfoot Search.  Aside from some help from Ray's daughter, I was alone in the work since I couldn't find volunteers and Ray was in a period of limited locomotion.  

Packing brought back many memories.  Recently, I've had cause to revisit those dusty, moldy poignant fourteen hours of work in five sessions to provide information to another researcher. 

During my remembrance, I recognized one thing seemed missing, something I haven't seen on the Internet, although I spend little time searching for Bigfoot stuff on the web.  It was a review of the absolutely incredible work NABS did to organize, scan, index, and catalog Ray's Track Records, A Bigfoot Encyclopedia into a DVD format. 

The DVD is available through the North American Bigfoot Search website for the very reasonable sum of $19.95 plus a modest shipping charge.  This is why every, and I mean every, serious Bigfoot researcher should buy a copy. 

First, let me say that during its 16 year run from 1991 to early 2007, Ray Crowe always advised his readers “To have their “Skepticals” on.”  Pretty much, Ray typed his contributor's works in as they came.  He did one other thing; he generally didn't repeat what was readily available through other venues; rather, Ray would simply reference where the citation could be found.

So, what does all that mean?  

One: there is a huge amount of primary information available in the Track Record.  This was recognized by NABS, which has astute people on staff, and they went to the time and expense of making 174 of the newsletters {about 3,000 pages} available to the many who have few if any copies of the originals {I think I have a complete set, but may be missing a couple, yet for it's convenience, I find the NABS DVD my go-to reference.} 

Two: critics who say the TR is hardly worth the paper it's printed on are in serious error.  Crowe's work is in fact an Encyclopedia unmatched in our field of study.  It goes far beyond the product of some Bigfoot books which are mainly, “back-in-the-day, they saw one; and reports of one walking across a road.”  

Now, let's consider some TR generals and specifics which I selected virtually at random this morning. 

The superlative 80 page index begins with four or five pages of Bigfoot only related material.  Some headings read: “Bigfoot Caves {20 citations}, eyes {100}, odor {60+}, wood knocks {20+}.   

Indexed topics include: BF/Sasquatch/Wildmen, UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, Chupacabras, Research Reports, Yeti/Yowie/ Yaren Reports, Photos of Researchers, Research photos & sketches, and commentary. 

Just three issues are adequate to demonstrate the wide range of exceptional material available in the TR DVD: issue #16 of May 1992, issue #28 of June 1993, and issue #130 of August 2003. 

#16 – this one caught my eye because of a mention of Olallie Lake tracks which is in my primary area of field research.  The heading was somewhat misleading as the tracks actually occurred NW and across Big Bottom on the upper slopes of Mt. Lowe.  The vicinity of Mt. Lowe is an area I have spent many days and nights investigating.   I was also disappointed to know that the many reports of activity near Olallie Lake are apparently not in the Track Record.  No matter. 

#28 – there is a version of the Clackamas Indian myth about Bigfoot presenting themselves to man and not being seen.  Ray also comments on the eleven {11} Bigfoot newsletters in print at the time.  One central to his comments exploded onto the scene and then evaporated, as most have, with the exception of Daniel Perez's monthly. 

#130 – this one was a bit touching.  While it was surely selected at random, I found it important for it contains a photograph of a much younger Ray and our dear Theata before she had cancer.  Theata Crowe was a beautiful, wonderful person. 

Anyway, pages 2228 & 29 on the DVD version of #130 have old drawings about wild men in Europe.  P.2230 relates a Loch Ness type Native American legend of a similar, more violent creature called the “Wallowa Lake Monster.”  P.2232 contains a report from Russia authored by Valentin Sapunov.  

Somewhere as I was rambling with my mouse I found a reference to Forest Road 4610 which was very important to me, although I thought I knew the road area “well.” 

I could go on, but I will not.  Save your money, buy the DVD.  It contains important history that someday may become rare.  Also know the DVD is in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.  If you are not familiar with PDF in large documents, it is very easy to learn and navigate.  

Where to buy the DVD:  www.nabigfootsearch.com
Contact Dave Paulides nabigfootsearch@yahoo.com

Thank you,
Joe Beelart, joebeelart@comcast.net
West Linn, Oregon
April 3, 2010
This review was not solicited by; and, has not been seen or endorsed by North American Bigfoot Search.

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