The Skookum Cast Explained

The Skookum Cast is a plaster cast discovered on September 22, 2000, during a Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) expedition in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Mount Adams, Washington. The cast measures 3.5 by 5 feet (1.1 m x 1.5 m) and weighs approximately 400 pounds (180 kg). It was found in a muddy wallow and is believed to show the partial body imprint of a large creature. 

Discovery and Initial Analysis 

The cast was discovered when researchers left fruit in the muddy wallow overnight and found the imprint the next morning. The cast shows impressions of hair and what some believe to be the foot, hip, thigh, and forearm of a reclining creature. The BFRO team concluded that an animal laid in the mud to reach the fruit without leaving tracks. 

Scientific Analysis 

The cast was examined by several experts, including physical anthropologist Grover Krantz, wildlife biologist John Bindernagel, and primate anatomist Jeff Meldrum. While some believed the cast showed evidence of a Sasquatch, others argued it was more likely an elk’s imprint. Analysis of hair found in the cast identified elk hair, and tracks of elk, deer, bear, and coyote were found nearby. 

Controversy and Interpretations 

The Skookum Cast has been a subject of debate within the Bigfoot research community. Some enthusiasts believe it provides solid evidence of Bigfoot’s existence, while skeptics argue it is a misidentified animal track. The cast remains a significant piece of alleged Bigfoot evidence and continues to be studied and discussed by researchers and enthusiasts alike.