Find Bigfoot, that elusive hominid who roams the forests of America, has never been more likely than it is now.

Hundreds of people and untold thousands of dollars have gone toward projects that prove Bigfoot’s existence and/or have set out to find him. Which one of these five people will be the one to come up with conclusive proof that Bigfoot exists?

5. Melba Ketchum’s Scientific Study

For the past five years this researcher and former veterinarian has been studying the genes found in samples of Bigfoot’s hair, blood, saliva, and urine. She claims that DNA evidence demonstrates that Bigfoot is an indigenous inhabitant of North America and that his species is the result of cross-breeding between a human female and another hominid approximately 15,000 years ago.

What makes Ms. Ketchum’s project unique is the amount of faith she has in her findings. She even submitted her paper to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Unfortunately for the advancement of cryptozoology, “Novel North American Hominins: Next Generation Sequencing of Three Whole Genomes and Associated Studies” was not accepted to any journal.

Undaunted, Ms. Ketchum purchased the DeNovo Scientific Journal outright and has since published her work.

4. Professor Jeffrey Meldrum’s Blimp

A professor of comparative anatomy and anthropology, Meldrum has studied apes and humans across the globe. From a single footprint, he can tell a creature’s gait, height and weight. He has seen casts of Bigfoot footprints that have convinced him the animal is worth further study.

In order to track the elusive creature and record his actions in his natural environment, Meldrum is looking for $300,000 to fund the purchase of a blimp onto which he intends to attach thermal imaging devices. The blimp will then be launched over the Blue Mountains and other parts of Idaho’s wilderness. Professor Meldrum is eager to find Bigfoot, but won’t believe in its existence until he has conclusive proof.

3. Sharon Lee Lomurno’s Kickstarter Campaign

This Bigfoot enthusiast is trying to make her childhood dreams into a reality. She is planning a cross-country road trip in which she will document her search for Bigfoot.

Lomurno wants to draw attention to the grueling nature of authentic Bigfoot research – when she is in the field, she goes out all day to look for signs of something large in the area. “That [first] night, you do your night surveillance. You can’t get into your tent and go to sleep at 11pm,” she says.

To fund this trip, Ms. Lomurno has begun a Kickstarter campaign. She hopes to raise $5,000 to cover her expenses, which include producing a documentary about the experience.

2. Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization’s Expeditions

Always wanted to look for Bigfoot but didn’t know where to start? The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BRFO) has got you covered. Throughout the year they organize four-day expeditions in which budding cryptozoologists get to learn the basics of hunting for Bigfoot while actively tracking him in the woods.

Their website says that one of the best ways to get over the fear of a possible Bigfoot encounter is to look for him in a group. Apparently this strategy has been working, as former participants have testified that they saw footprints or heard calls during their trips. This summer, are some big expeditions is planned for British Columbia that may prove fruitful.

1. Animal Planet’s Finding Bigfoot

One of the best ways to ensure something happens to rally popular support behind it. This worked during the American Revolution and the Montreal Protoco and may work for the conclusive discovery of Bigfoot.

The series Finding Bigfoot has served as a spark for reigniting the popular imagination about Bigfoot’s existence. This show follows the work of renowned BFRO researchers as they travel around the U.S. and across the globe to investigate any cryptid hominid sightings.

The hope is that if people watch the show they will be inspired to conduct their own Bigfoot investigations. With thousands of people searching through the woods, one of them is likely to happen upon the creature.

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