I had been holding off creating a new Cryptozoological organization in Ohio until I had the time as well as some help, but I decided to begin the slow building process while there is still snow on the ground in Northeast Ohio.
What is Ohio Cryptid and why a new organization?
There are a few Ohio organizations that specialize in Bigfoot/Sasquatch and a lot of very good investigators/Cryptozoologists that man them or are a part of them. While there is a lot of work being done out there I have noticed a couple of startling things about these groups.
First, they don't seem to work together. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but they are not aware of the findings and investigations of their neighbors. Coming from the ghost investigation camp I can fully understand how things got this way, but the cryptid field needs people working together to create a successful overview of the state in regards to sightings and other evidence to help tie things together. Many of these creatures are elusive and and constantly on the move and it will take a team of individuals and groups to help uncover findings.
Second, many of these groups are closed to outsiders. Imagine my surprise when I e-mailed not one, not two, but at least four groups in Ohio that I had interest in joining or assisting and was met with a stiff arm or was directed to their site which read that it was a closed circle of investigators. Again, being from the ghost and U.F.O. camps I understand this. You can't have every wanna-be out bushwacking the local woods causing problems while wearing a hat and shirt with your logo on it...not a good idea. My credentials were pretty straight forward with my 12+ years as a paranormal investigator, my outdoor and animal experience, etc., but I didn't fit in the circle. So, now Ohio Cryptid is born.
Ohio Cryptid is beginning as a series of blogs that will feature Ohio researchers, investigators and those who have had experiences with Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Grassman or other cryptozoological creatures in the state of Ohio, nothing less. Ohio Cryptid will serve as an online group for now as it grows with contributors, investigators, researchers, readers and supporters. Eventually, if this venture takes off I have many other ideas and directions in mind. The obvious next step will be a home page for all of us to call home. With a home page I have a plethora of plans and ideas for. Along with this will come monthly meetings, possibly regionalized or centralized, who knows. First we have to get this bird off the ground.
So, what makes you so qualified to start this?
Well, I have operated my own paranormal group, Ohio Paranormal Investigation Network since 1996. In that time I have also trained under the M.U.F.O.N. Field Investigator's Manual that they use in their investigations into U.F.O. sightings and other related phenomenon. As far as cryptid investigations go, my first one was only in 2001 and did not yield much in the way of evidence, but I was hooked. I learned from various books and other resources over the years and made an attempt to work with others in Ohio and elsewhere. I became a part of the Sasquatch Research Initiative to help as an investigator in Ohio and most recently I became the Ohio representative for the Crypto Squad U.S.A. which is the U.S. representative of the Centre for Fortean Cryptozoology based in the U.K. which is the biggest organization in the world devoted to these studies. My current home site for that group as well as my personal paranormal site away from my group is the Paranormal News Insider, which began as a newscast within a podcast that I do for the Grand Dark Conspiracy (yes, I'm very busy). I have been an avid backpacker in Ohio and Pennsylvania for almost two decades and have learned plenty about animals and their sign along the way.
If you wish to take part in Ohio Cryptid or have another inquiry about it please e-mail me and we'll get started...
