Distinctly Montana Magazine

25 w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m dent of both human and known primate. This may come as a sur- prise to many, but without a doubt there is a primate living in the forests of North America, and I stake my entire reputation on it." Just down the road at Idaho State University in Pocatello, there is a professor of anatomy and anthropology named Dr. Jeff Meldrum. Because of his incredible expertise in foot morpholo- gy, Meldrum has analyzed hundreds of sasquatch footprints and track casts (he now holds the largest collection of track casts in the world), from which he has identified anatomical details that can only be attributed to living creatures. The most prominent example of that is called the "midtarsal break" (midfoot flexibil- ity), which means that while a bigfoot is walking, the midtarsal flex squeezes the soil and creates a pressure ridge (a small dirt hump) near the center of its track. This, along with other anatom- ical features found in similar tracks, is impossible to fake. Next, there are numerous recordings of bigfoot sounds span- ning the past fifty years. The similarities are uncanny. A terrify- ing scream recorded above the Klamath River (CA) in 1993 is nearly identical to a Snohomish (WA) scream, yet separated by over 500 miles and twenty years. Or, the "Ohio howl" of 1994 which closely matches those recorded by researchers in north- ern Washington in 2002. Better yet, highly unusual sounds re- corded near Ennis (MT) have strikingly similar characteristics to those captured in the Sierra Nevada range (CA) in the early '70s. The other consistent attribute? Witnesses all describe the over- whelmingly magnitude and power of these sounds. And that brings me to the most convincing piece of this puz- zle...the people. I have looked in the eyes of dozens of ordinary Montanans, from all walks of life, sharing their encounter stories with me. I found authenticity and surprise, excitement and fear. I saw genuine and burdened emotion resurface. Many didn't know how to account for something that left their reality un- hinged. These folks saw or heard something extraordinary and it left a profoundly indelible impact on their lives. So, I ask you, who are we to scoff, to judge? Alas, it wasn't my job to convince you. Rather, I hope I've en- couraged you to consider, albeit critically, the possibility. To sneak a look just below the surface. And, if you're a silent witness, or a landowner experiencing bi- zarre events, I'm here to help. From the movie Predator: "There's some- thin' in them trees, Major, and it ain't no man..." MT TITLE 1/4 406.994.2251 | 600 W Kagy Blvd | museumoftherockies.org LEAD SPONSOR: Chris McCloud and Stephanie Dickson Charitable Fund SIGNATURE SPONSOR: Sheehy Family Foundation – Richard and Denise Sheehy Immerse yourself in the origins of legendary beings worldwide, unveiling a mesmerizing showcase of imaginative models, captivating paintings, and rich cultural artifacts. From the mythical Creatures of Water to the majestic Dragons, each section promises a breathtaking adventure. Encounter awe- inspiring, larger-than-life models like the 17-foot dragon and 10-foot unicorn. Mythic Creatures is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (amnh.org) in collaboration with The Field Museum, Chicago; Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau; Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney; and Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta For more information please scan the QR Code or go to museumoftherockies.org/creatures SUSTAINING SPONSORS: Wellness WORx / Walk-In Chiropractic Hohbach Family Foundation Cole and Abbi Robertson CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR: In Loving Memory of Liam Prorock Through January 5, 2025 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Included with membership/admission Mythic Creatures Mermaids: Dragons, Unicorns, & Berdahl's office is full of Bigfoot ephemera

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