One usually relates Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, sightings to remote forest areas in the Pacific Northwest. The Hoosier state is not immediately thought of as a hotbed of cryptid activity. However, Indiana has had its fair share of sightings throughout the years, leaving many scratching their heads.

Witnesses are as diverse as their experiences...everything from the casual day hiker to woods savy hunters and fishermen. All have one thing in common - they have seen or heard something that they cannot explain. Experiences seem to fall into one of three consistent categories: audible noises, physical encounters, or evidence that something big was in the area. Many times there are a combination of these indicators in a single encounter.

Larry Battson of Wildlife Educational Services takes these Indiana claims very seriously. Larry, a nationally known wildlife educator from Putnam County, has logged many hours collecting interviews regarding Bigfoot sightings in the Hoosier state.

The question always comes up - Why has no Bigfoot body ever been found? Why are there only a couple of grainy movies in existence to prove these claims? Battson answers, "They are nocturnal, quite elusive and rare. These animals are smart enough that they dont leave their dead around." He also reminds that there are multitudes of wild animals living in the woods. "How often do you see a dead animal in the woods? Hardly ever. Buzzards and other scavengers take care of them pretty quickly. Mother Nature has a way to clean things up like that."

Then there is the theory of parallel universes to explain the sightings of Bigfoot and other paranormal oddities which we'll save for another article.

There is speculation that authorities may cover-up the sightings and resulting evidence because of the affect it may have on the general population and the tourism business. Battson claims there is a report from a former sheriff in eastern Ohio that a "creature" was struck and killed by a semi truck. Everyone in the department was ordered to keep it quiet.

There is strange business going on in the forests of Indiana and many who are not willing to just take the claims at face value.