I found myself pondering this thought recently when I was talking with a friend about what I was reading.
The conversation was interesting because when I was talking about evidence and how it could be possible I was met with 'that look' - you probably know the once I am referring to. So a quick change of conversation about all the rain Sydney is getting recently fixed everything back to normal!
So the question begs - how and when did you find yourself beyond the point of no return in your interest in this topic?
Mine has been a long term interest but really only took it seriously in the past few years when I read an article that peaked my interest. It also reminded me of my own 'possible' experience back in 1993 on the far south coast on NSW. It hindsight my experience sounds pretty much spot on and witnessed by others near me also....so that got the ball rolling....
For me I stumbled on to some online eyewitness accounts of Bigfoot encounters and figured I'd investigate the whole thing until I could debunk it all to my own satisfaction.
But as I started looking at more and more material I started to realise the plausibility of it all - why couldn't a highly intelligent, socially organised, extremely elusive wild ape or wild man elude science????
And then I found the eyewitness stories like yowie sightings that are basically endless. Now I've spent the last 8 months fine tuning my hoax/bullshit detector, and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. :-)
I wanted to know for myself , see it with my own eyes once and for all . I started at the question , was it true ?
When I found out that it was true I felt obligated to expose it no matter what the cost . I guess that was the point of no return but it's still a hobby and it has it's place .
11pm arrived home to one tearing up the rain forest just metres beyond my rear wire fence. Vocal capacity was enormous. It tore out small trees and foliage throwing it all around the place. Bipedal footsteps were obvious. Strength, aggression and vocal capacity was the stand out. It was chilling.
1997 - Ormeau, Queensland.
This was the crunch. Stalked and chased. Massive vocal capacity. Angry. Fast. If I had of gone for my run through the bush that night instead of stopping to make a phone call, I doubt I would be here now.
..............
After such events, you need answers.
This is why our Websites, Witness Reports, Information and all of our contributors on this Forum are so important. Back then, there was no information for me online and I had no idea where to start. So I built an Information Centre for myself and others.
DMH
The closure of people's minds, understandings and boundaries are subject to either current environmental pressures brewed by ignorance or insecurities sculptured by pre-environmental education whereby they know no better - Dean Harrison
1998/1999 I also had a year or more of encounters with Fatfoot in the Blue Mountains. That was an amazing experience.
One night there were three of us. One had a face to face earlier in the night. Later in the night it had seemingly gone. But when I turned on the spotlight in a random direction, we hit him directly in the chest standing in the open between the trees.
Great memories.
DMH
The closure of people's minds, understandings and boundaries are subject to either current environmental pressures brewed by ignorance or insecurities sculptured by pre-environmental education whereby they know no better - Dean Harrison
Having a party at Glasshouse Mountains lookout. A couple of mates were stalked and spooked when they walked away from the fire. They found a footprint and showed the rest of us. Looking at the size and detail then, looking in the direction it was facing, seeing more steps in the grass, yard and a half strides, heading up the hill. It was like a bucket of cold water on the spine.
I hope more people contribute here. It's very interesting.
DMH
The closure of people's minds, understandings and boundaries are subject to either current environmental pressures brewed by ignorance or insecurities sculptured by pre-environmental education whereby they know no better - Dean Harrison
Speaking of Fatfoot Dean whatever happened to Neal, havent seen him on the forums for months?
My interest stems from 2 odd experiences I had as a teenager, both times with multiple persons involved and in the same area at Evans Head NSW in the early 80's. I am not a researcher as such but do have a high interest in this topic. I spend a lot of time, not as much as I used to but usually around 3 days a week now out in the bush by myself, and always have my eyes and ears peeled. Havent seen anything worth mentioning but Im still a believer and sometimes spook myself lol.
I use some pretty decent cameras and lenses when out in the field so hopefully someday when Im out there photographing wildlife I might be lucky and get that elusive shot !
Most of the Reports in that area are on the Western side of the Highway. Thanks for sharing.
DMH
The closure of people's minds, understandings and boundaries are subject to either current environmental pressures brewed by ignorance or insecurities sculptured by pre-environmental education whereby they know no better - Dean Harrison
Good luck with getting that elusive super sharp photo, Rastus!
As ChrisV implies, you have to be very careful when talking to someone about Yowies, UFO’s, the paranormal or any of the many cryptozoology subjects. Think we’ve all been there, done that… You need a person who is open minded and responsive. So many people seem to have a negative mindset without having ever looked at any evidence.
My interest in the unknown sparks from an early age. Reading an amazing UFO book by Edward J Ruppelt that dealt mainly with reports by US Air Force pilots gave me the impetus to further pursue knowledge of unidentified phenomena. I’ve long had a strong curiosity about the amazing universe we live in. How in space, truth is almost always stranger than fiction. As I always try to have ‘an eye on the sky’, I have managed two excellent UFO sightings, but no Yowies as yet!
My fascination with those evasive Yowies is comparatively recent, probably going back less than 10 years. However, once you get your head into the subject and consider all the evidence, it’s hard to get it out…
Then you keep waiting patiently for that monumental breakthrough with earth shattering definitive evidence. It never seems to come.
Its funny as I have managed to find a few people around me whom never showed any interest - now actually bring up the topic and its discussed at length and usually evolves into other areas such as paranormal, UFO activity etc.
Its really interesting is that their interest has been revealed because of my willingness to talk about it with open minded people. Its really interesting hearing what people who are not involved in the field have to say about it. Sure some folks scoff at the notion which I can understand but it also implies a closed mind. And as Dean's tag line under his posts says about closed minds!
Another thing that really solidifies for me is the amount of witness testimony and evidence collected by the researchers who contribute to this forum and overeseas. There is DEFINITELY something going on - not hoaxing, mis-identification or whatever you want to call it. Too dismiss this outright is simply ignorance.
I still firmly believe that what I experienced back in 1993 was not normal. At the time I thought it was a kangaroo but no matter how big a roo can get - they can create the sound of a giant smashing down trees in the middle of dense bushland. At the time not knowing much yowies I brushed it off - but I remember saying to my partner who was there at the time " Geez, thats on big roo !!! " Of course we saw nothing but the noise sounded like an elephant chopping down trees at midnight in the middle of nowhere....which is now confirmed as a yowie hotspot!!
The closure of people's minds, understandings and boundaries are subject to either current environmental pressures brewed by ignorance or insecurities sculptured by pre-environmental education whereby they know no better - Dean Harrison
Hey Dean, I wouldn't mind learning more about your first two experiences. Have you written them up anywhere?
I'm definitely curious about the phone call vs run comment! Wow.
UFO's, ghosts, Loch Ness, Mothman, Government experiments, all that stuff.
When I was around 7, I remember looking through my parents National Geographic magazines. There was an article on Bigfoot.
Crazy stuff for a kid. I just kept going back to that book, looking at the pictures of the Patterson Gimlin film. How could that exist?
Quite a few years ago, after work, I'd watch a show called "Finding Bigfoot". Parts of it were s#@t, but when the people spoke about
their sightings, It reminded me of the books I read.
Late one night again, after work, my missus says "oh yeah Ants is going to the filming of that show you watch, Finding Bigfoot, tomorrow".
I went along with a few other guys I didn't know, that used to be on here. That was a very interesting night.
I started googling around, reading up again. Went out with Ants & others a few times briefly, but then stopped. I do my own thing now, and
have ever since. I've not stopped, still searching.
It's a funny world, the Yowie hunter world. If you have a different way of looking at things, you may be ostracised.
Its funny as I have managed to find a few people around me whom never showed any interest - now actually bring up the topic and its discussed at length and usually evolves into other areas such as paranormal, UFO activity etc.
Certainly agree with that! From my own experience, I brought up the subject of UFOs to a close friend who had no previous interest. It was in a relaxing environment over a cold beer at our holiday house. The mood was right to listen and he took in what I had to say.
A few months later, he announced he was bringing Stanton Friedman to Australia for what was a sell out tour! Now this mate had an entrepreneurial streak…so don’t expect this from every one you talk to! However, it was great to listen to Stan’s lecture and to meet with him in person after the event.
Moral of this story is to carefully choose the time and place to bring up Yowies, UFOs or whatever and then give it a shot. You may be surprised! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Its funny as I have managed to find a few people around me whom never showed any interest - now actually bring up the topic and its discussed at length and usually evolves into other areas such as paranormal, UFO activity etc.
Certainly agree with that! From my own experience, I brought up the subject of UFOs to a close friend who had no previous interest. It was in a relaxing environment over a cold beer at our holiday house. The mood was right to listen and he took in what I had to say.
A few months later, he announced he was bringing Stanton Friedman to Australia for what was a sell out tour! Now this mate had an entrepreneurial streak…so don’t expect this from every one you talk to! However, it was great to listen to Stan’s lecture and to meet with him in person after the event.
Moral of this story is to carefully choose the time and place to bring up Yowies, UFOs or whatever and then give it a shot. You may be surprised! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Yes Searcher....you are quite correct in saying that you really have to chose your audience carefully. My close mate started listening to the AYR witness reports after my suggestion instead of listening to me ramble on about stuff third hand - have a listen and keep an open mind. After listening to one report he was pretty impressed by the integrity of the witness and the interviewer.
I do find that more people are open to talking about paranormal ( ghost ) activities because it is around everyone to experience and UFO's maybe a distant second. Yowie's are way down the list of common experiences of people I have spoken to with the exception of this forum.
One awesome side benefit from this interest is that I have rediscovered the beauty of the Australian Bush. I'm more aware of the bush and its occupants and a new found deeper respect for the aboriginal heritage and law that accompanies the land. Its really been a back to basics exercise which really touches finds peace in the soul..... and it has turned me off living in the bustling city due to the general ignorance displayed and encouraged there....
I hope it's not off topic, certainly not an experience that brought me here, but.......
For me I had a great interest in the elusive Bigfoot and ufo's and the paranormal from a young age. I'd always talked about it and didn't put much thought into looking in our own country. So a massive thanks to this site and it's founder and admin and great folks here that fuelled the spark with real credible knowledge. I give all thanks to here being as this was the meeting place, a source of real information from seasoned folks from the field, I found great friends and knowledge to be learnt. So far I've had knocks, vocals, eye shine, prints and some fairly weird anomalies, and a little more, but no point blank range sighting early days but.
Kind of lame compared to any physical experiences, but i got a book called "unknown" when i was about 11 .. It had accounts of ghosts, cryptids and all kinds of supernatural occurrences. It led me to a fascination with all things i dont know.
It started with ghosts, then moved onto cryptids. Long story short i find the whole thing fascinating and i basically want answers. I know i wont find them on the interwebs, so ive started camping on the weekends. Ive been taking my girlfriend to "new and beautiful" places each time ... (going deeper and deeper into the GC mountains each time.) In the hope of some evidence.
Kind of lame compared to any physical experiences, but i got a book called "unknown" when i was about 11 .. It had accounts of ghosts, cryptids and all kinds of supernatural occurrences. It led me to a fascination with all things i dont know.
It started with ghosts, then moved onto cryptids. Long story short i find the whole thing fascinating and i basically want answers. I know i wont find them on the interwebs, so ive started camping on the weekends. Ive been taking my girlfriend to "new and beautiful" places each time ... (going deeper and deeper into the GC mountains each time.) In the hope of some evidence.
For me i was 14 (now 28). I came across some sort of bigfoot video on youtube one night. This is long before most of the hoax videos. I thought to myself. They are mythical apparently but i will look them up. I started researching and got hooked. I will see one before i die. I know they are real. I am in Perth though, and most of if not all the sightings here smell funny. I don`t believe they are in W.A myself.....
Hi guys, add me to that list of interest in all things unsual from an early age. Dean H did post something about his encounter while making a phone call and I had difficulty in sleeping that night after reading it!
Started when I was walking to a mates house in South of Beenleigh QLD, 1 night I was bluff charged and stalked with foot stomps and tree shaking, - couldn't explain what happened, 2nd night - camped out in my mates backyard that backed onto the place where the bluff charge happened, I listened to approx. 4-5 of them communicating for approx. 30mins and breaking branches and moving through the bush (the most amazing animal sounds I have ever heard) - once again I couldn't explain it as I didn't fit any animal sounds I have heard - found a foot print, lead me to researching bigfoot - which turned into the Australian Yowie - and then found Yowie Hunters /AYR.
Started to get heavily into researching yowies and cryptozoology, had some great experiences and meet some fantastic people.
Now days I'm more of an observer than active researcher
It was back in 1999 if my memory is correct, about mid week - (no neighbourhood parties etc), after the bluff charge that spiked me curiosity, I was at a friends house that is next to the bush that the bluff charge occurred and from the back yard I had a 160 degree view of the bush, the first strange vocalisation that I heard was about 4pm, it was the classic deep woop woop sound, when everyone went to sleep I though I might hear it again, I pulled up a chair, a water bottle and sat still and listened for hours (basically star gazing, I find this method works great - recently I had 2 white tail deer walk within 10meters of me as I sat on a chair behind a small divider, anyhow).
At about 1:30am - 2:30am I heard what I could only describe as something with lungs of a cow whistling, grunting, shrieking, real low pitches, high pitches, sounds like words but were gibberish being spoken with clear change in voice tone, also some real heavy grunts that resonated, majority of it was coming from the one spot, and replies from different spots in the bush in front of me.
Interesting things I noted is that I could hear them snapping branches, some big ones too with really loud cracks (maybe chasing possums? getting grubs?).
Another interesting thing I noted was that when they went quiet I could hear a car approaching in the distance and they seemed to stop what they were doing and go quiet until the car was long gone and couldn't be heard anymore and then they'll speak up again.
It all came to an end when in my excitement for what I was hearing, I wanted to share the experience with my mate, I stood up, opened the metal sliding door which made a sound - they stopped, went quiet and I got a terrible feeling I was being stared down - I freaked out, locked the door and went to sleep.
It would of be awesome to have a mobile back then and record what I heard and share it.
Anyhow, I would love to hear it again one day.
Cheers,
Tom.
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A couple of side notes - I'm pretty good with all my animal sounds - possums, bats, wombats, deer, rabbits, koala's, roos, emu's, wild dogs, cows, horses etc etc ... nothing compared.
Also, i'm very aware that at night, in a valley when it's nice and quiet - sound travels further and can be amplified especially when all the normal night time crickets, frogs etc stop.
Where south of Beenleigh was this? That was the time all the commotion was going on with the Ormeau Yowie.
DMH
The closure of people's minds, understandings and boundaries are subject to either current environmental pressures brewed by ignorance or insecurities sculptured by pre-environmental education whereby they know no better - Dean Harrison
This occurred along Beaudesert – Beenleigh Road, I was at house on the top of Mount Warren Blvd, and the big one was near Wuraga Rd, south of the transfer station, the others where above Trevina Cres.
Of course back in 1999 there was less development in the area, however pretty surprising they go so close to built up areas, but you can see the amount of bushland in the area; there could be a couple of routes from Mount Warren to Tamborine & Ormeau they could of have taken – mainly by the bush and nature corridors at the west side of Beaudesert – Beenleigh Road or alternatively along the banks of the Albert River and via the golf course – this would have less cover though.
Looking at this map: https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Mt ... 5af3de91f0
The bluff charge and vocalisations occurred at the top of map, at the bottom of the map is Tamborine and Omeau on the right, all within 15-20k’s as the crow flies.
Cheers,
Tom
I've also attached a detailed map that corresponds to this post and previous re bluff charge / foot print.
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The closure of people's minds, understandings and boundaries are subject to either current environmental pressures brewed by ignorance or insecurities sculptured by pre-environmental education whereby they know no better - Dean Harrison
I was always a fan of the Pinkney Report (I think ) in the Australian Post. Reading about yowies, ufos, min min lights and ghosts was enthralling as a kid.
There is something very magnetic about this field of interest/research.
For me whats starts out as an interest seems to morph into research after a short period of time. Before you know it your standing outside a national park looking in with your notepad, camera and reference notes looking for clues!
early days but.
... (going deeper and deeper into the GC mountains each time.) In the hope of some evidence.
