Blog for week of September 1-7 2008
Yes this site is dedicated to Champ, however I feel the need to speak about the recent Big Foot Hoax.
While the hoax certainly drew attention to the Big Foot theory it drew the wrong type of attention. When people hoax Cryptid evidence it hurts everyone involved with Cryptozoology whether researchers or simply believers.
It causes every piece of evidence of any Cryptid to automatically be suspect.Every bit of evidence is presumed to be just another hoax unless it can conclusively be proven real.
Photos and video are no longer sufficient evidence of a crptids existence because people will assume the photos or film to have been faked or photo-shopped or altered in some way. Unless maybe you can get the Cryptid on a live TV broadcast. And the chances of most Cryptid hunters having CNN along when they run into a Cryptid are -shall we say rather slim.
What this means for Cryptozoology researchers is if you intend to present evidence of a Cryptids existence, your evidence had better be backed with physical evidence like hair samples, tissue samples,blood, bone samples ,fossils , a live animal or dead body.
When I say physical evidence I mean from the actual Cryptid and my advice say nothing until you know your evidence is sound.
Don't hold a press conference and put on a huge dog and pony show for the press then announce the DNA results you got back were from a human and a opossum. Don't say you have a body if all you have is a Halloween suit folded up in a freezer.
The hoaxers make it easy for the skeptics to discredit anyone involved in Cryptozoology. If you want the skeptics to take us seriously it is time we back up our evidence with DNA and species identification tests. Then go ahead and hold a press conference if you like but only when we can present honest solid physical evidence to the world.
Will we be holding a Champ Expedition 2009?
The answer is yes. We have learned some important things through Champ expedition 2008. Like make sure you have back up equipment in case of problems with cameras, cell phones etc.
For anyone interested in participating in Champ expedition 2009 please let me know by February 1st 2009 so I have a final count of team members before reserving camp sites.I will be paying for these myself so if you contact me after Feb. 1,2009 I will see if we can fit you into one of our reserved sites otherwise you may have to reserve your own tent site with the state park if you notify me after Feb.1st
If you are interested in Participating in Champ Expedition 2009 at Button Bay State Park please use or contact form or contact me by email at CTHuntress@yahoo.com and send me your name and email address , let me know if you have camping and video equipment of your own.
We currently have no corporate sponsors . Which means everyone involved will have to pay their own way to Button Bay State Park. I will be paying for camp sites and food. Within reason ,depending on the number of team members we end up with.
Things you should take into consideration if you wish to participate in our 2009 expedition:
1. Bring insect repellent and sun screen.
2. Bring water shoes if you will be going in the water.
3. Bring a sleeping bag or blanket and pillow. (I can provide tents)
4. Bring quarters for showers. Shower cost 50 cents plus additional 25 cents for each additional 2 minutes.
5. If you have any medical condition I should know about or medication you must have please let us know. Example if you are diabetic or have a heart condition ,food allergies. (Things we would need to know in the event of an emergency.)
6. Be sure to write down our camp site names or numbers - example camp site cedar, tent site 51.
7. Respect State Park Rules , which I will email ahead of time along with map of state park.We want to continue maintaining a good relationship with the state park so please follow all camp rules.
8. While our goal is to find proof of Champ , identifying things that could be mistaken for Champ is also important. It helps in sorting out reported sightings and identifying actual Champ sitings from misidentifications.
Questions and answers
1. What if someone who is part of the media wants to participate in the expedition ?
for example : if someone from the skeptical inquirer wanted to tag along ? That would be OK as long as they act in a professional manner and aren't distracting or interfering with team members.
2. Will we look for corporate sponsors?
If a corporation offered, we might accept sponsors depending on the expectations of the sponsor but we will not actively seek corporate sponsors .
3.What qualifications are required to participate?
Willingness to cooperate with others and obey ALL State Park rules, There is also quite a bit of walking involved and it can get very hot out there so This is vitally important -PLEASE let me know of any medical conditions you have that I should be aware of.
4. What about people wanting to film for documentaries on Champ-
I do not consider these in the same category as media in general. If someone is doing a documentary and wants to be present during the expedition that's fine as long as they also obey the state parks rules.