Peter Aniello

The collection of accurate geospatial data for sasquatch encounters is a critical factor in determining the range and habits of the species. Through analysis of the data, it may also be possible to predict where future encounters will most likely occur.

Geospatial data collection for sasquatch encounters can be broken down into two categories: coordinate data and attribute data.

Coordinate Data

The optimal way to collect coordinate data is with a GPS unit, either by the witness, or by a researcher at the site of the encounter. A note should be made of the projection (i.e., Geographic, UTM, State Plane, etc.), the zone number (if the projection is broken down into zones), and the datum (i.e., WGS 84, NAD 83, NAD 27). Coordinates and elevation should be recorded to the precision allowed by the GPS unit being used.

If it is not possible to collect coordinates with a GPS unit, the next-best method is to locate the encounter site on a USGS 7.5-minute quad sheet, and interpolate the coordinates from the known distance between grid tick marks on the sheet. Horizontal coordinates from a quad sheet should be recorded as geographic, in degrees-minutes-seconds, to the nearest second. Once the encounter site has been located in the x-y plane on the map, an elevation can be interpolated by recording the elevation that is half-way between the contour lines between which the encounter falls (i.e., if the contour lines on either side of an encounter represent elevations of 1000 feet and 1040 feet, the elevation of the encounter site would be recorded as 1020 feet). If coordinates are interpolated from a quad sheet, the projection and datum of the sheet should be recorded. The elevation units (feet or meters) should also be recorded.

If a hardcopy quad sheet is not available, TopoZone can be used to derive coordinates. Using Topozone, an investigator would simply view the 1:24,000-scale quad sheet that represents the area where the encounter took place, click on the exact location in the view, and record the coordinates. Projection and datum should also be recorded. Elevation can be derived using the same method described above.

Coordinates can also be collected from a gazetteer using the above method, although this is not preferable, as a gazetteer is much less accurate.

If, for some reason, it is not possible to derive coordinates for an encounter, then a very detailed description of how to get to the site can be used. The description should include direction and distance from known landmarks (i.e., 2.5 miles northeast on Forest Road 18 from it’s intersection with State Highway 82), and otherwise be as descriptive as possible.

Attributes

Attribute data consists of observations about the surroundings where an encounter took place. Patterns in the attribute data may lead to observations that help define what combinations of factors influence sasquatch behavior. Combined with coordinate data, attribute data may help reveal why sasquatch encounters are occurring in particular places, and which other locations have similar environmental attributes.

Observations of environmental attributes should include as many of the following as possible:

· Date (at least month and year, also day if known)
· Time of day (to the nearest half-hour, if possible)
· Air temperature (note if Fahrenheit or Celsius)
· Weather conditions
· Aspect (south-facing slope, north-facing slope, flat, etc.)
· Predominant tree species, such as Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, gambel oak, redwood, etc.
· Secondary tree species
· Undergrowth species
· Evidence of animals other than sasquatches at the site (tracks, scat, types of birds, etc.)
· Soil type (loam, sandy, clay, etc.)
· Rock outcroppings, such as granite, limestone, shale, etc.
· Direction and distance to water, such as a creek, lake, or pond, and name of the water body, if applicable

Any other noteworthy characteristics of the encounter environment should also be recorded.

If a sasquatch is actually sighted, and/or footprints are found, then physical characteristics of the animal and/or it’s prints should be included as attributes. Such attributes may be used to track an individual animal through time and space, possibly offering more clues to the species’ habits and habitat. These attributes may include:

· Height estimate
· Weight estimate
· Hair color
· Sex
· Footprint length
· Footprint width
· Footprint depth
· Footprint substrate

Any other notable physical characteristics should be recorded.