iBRORG does not recommend novice or casual hunters venturing into the wilds alone. Nor does it support speculative hunts and/or searches not based on recent sightings or spoor.
Methods
There are 2 main methods for hunting: tracking/spooring or hunting from a blind/hide. Most hunters or searchers should lean toward using a hunting blind for several reasons. The biggest reason is that few hunters possess the skill necessary to track any animal very well let alone a cagy, reclusive animal like a bigfoot. Blind hunting is safer, less taxing and the hunter has some control of the encounter.
Things to consider when hunting from a blind:
1. Site selection
2. Blind construction/selection
3. Behavior
4. Time of day/season
5. Game cameras
Site selection. The idea here is to maximize opportunity and field of fire (field of vision w/ camera). Your hunting ground should be an area where fresh tracks have been found or eyewitness sightings have occurred. Do not waste your time on spots that “look like a bigfoot would live here.” Just as with any game animal wind, sun and visibility should be the main considerations and not the hunter’s comfort.
Blind construction or selection. The goal is to be unseen and unnoticed by a bigfoot. The simplest way is usually the best. Take advantage of natural cover and distance when possible. Any large project, earthworks, tree felling will likely alert every animal in the county including a bigfoot. The best cover is natural cover but it is not always readily available. The next best is a tree stand. If you feel comfortable with heights the tree stand/blind has the advantage of increased vision, it won’t cause claustrophobia and bigfoots like most large animals are not concerned with threats from above. The downside is gravity. If trees spook you, simple blinds are best. Small portable blinds can be set up in seconds with minimal environmental disturbance. This clever blind looks to be very effective.
Behavior in the blind is as important as the blind itself. Do not expect to be successful if you are coughing, sniffing, squirming and whispering. Animals have keener senses and will hear see or smell you if tipped off with careless blind etiquette. Once settled in the hunter should remain silent and still. If you must move do so very slowly and deliberately. Stay alert.
The best times of day are dawn and dusk – an hour after sunrise and hour or so before sunset. Full daylight sightings like the Patterson video are extremely rare. Conserve your efforts and only hunt at the most likely times. iBRORG does not support night hunts or spotting unless done in a group where all are equipped with night vision. Also hunting with firearms and spotlights after dark in most cases is illegal. NOTE: iBRORG does not endorse night hunts but it will not disqualify a hunter from receiving the posted reward. The best time of year is any time but winter. It is not known for certain that bigfoots hibernate but sightings decrease in the winter months. This could be because fewer people are wandering the woods or that there are fewer or no bigfoots out in winter. The lack of print evidence seems to bear this theory out. If you get no results after 3 days then abandon that location and prepare for the next opportunity.
Game cameras are one of the newest and best tools for bigfoot hunters! If you have them, use them. Do not overthink their placement. Use your own judgment and knowledge of the local area. Do not alter terrain near the cameras or spend too much time placing the cameras. Set it up and move out of the area. Remember that a bigfoot is very tall and aim it accordingly.
To bait or not to bait?
It is iBRORG’s position that baiting is not advisable. Baits are usually encountered by other animals first. Bears, wolves and coyotes have far keener noses and invariably get to baits well before a bigfoot. Baits just add elements of danger and confusion that interferes with the search more that it helps. Bears and food are a dangerous combination.
In general, iBRORG recommends not calling or knocking. Most folks get impatient or carried away with the result being to frighten away every animal in the area. Also many people will knock or call in response "just for fun." You should only call in response to a sounding. Do not try to imitate the sound exactly instead try to pique its curiosity with non-threatening chirps or trills. Never barks or rattling. The other time to trying calling is just before you intend to end your hunt anyway. It is worth a try then.
Calling vs. Baiting.
If forced to choose iBRORG favors calling over baiting.
Targets of Opportunity
This does not necessarily refer to specific hunting. Sure harvest a bigfoot if you have the chance, but often you won’t be armed. Opportunity could knock on any hike, camping trip or any time you are in the wilds. Always carry a camera. Thanks to technology today this is almost always the case. Make sure you know how to operate the camera. You never know when a creature will show itself. Forward images/video to iBRORG.org for analysis.
What to do if you capture or kill a bigfoot
1. Take as many photos and/or videos as quickly as possible then disseminate them immediately.
3. Note the location (GPS coordinates) and other relevant data per iBRORG Eyewitness Worksheet (iBRORG form 51-01) then take to a secure facility. Maintain 24 hour security if possible.
4. Contact iBRORG.org and other bigfoot authorities at your earliest convenient opportunity.
5. Alert mainstream media yourself. It is standard procedure for iBRORG to do so as well, but do not rely on this. Our research is demanding. Sometimes response time is several hours.
6. Do not allow “government” officials to take custody of the creature/carcass. No laws yet cover bigfoots. It is your property. Do not relinquish it. Guard your investment.
7. Secure legal counsel and follow their advice! Protect your rights.