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W-File: bf_ricel.htm

Type: Bigfoot
Location: Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Source: The UFO Roundup, Volume 2, No.44


BIGFOOT TRACKS FOUND IN WESTERN WISCONSIN

 
On Monday, November 3, 1997, Bigfoot tracks were found near the Christy Mountain Ski Area near Rice Lake, Wisconsin (population 9887), located about 295 miles (472 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee.

"Brad Mortenson of the U.S. Expedition and Exploration Society said three tracks found Monday could be from the mysterious-- some say mythical--ape-like creature known as Bigfoot."

"He describes the tracks as about 16 to 17.5 inches long and 8 inches wide at the widest."

"Asked about the shape, he said, 'It looks like a big foot. It's very distinct.'"

"One print showed five toes, and the impressions indicated a creature with a stride of about 4 1/2 feet, typical for the Bigfoot."

"Mortenson, 41, of Sarona said he started receiving reports about possible Bigfoot activity after a local newspaper report two weeks ago told about his work with the society, based in Doris, Calif."

"'After that we started getting the reports of people coming across the tracks in the Blue Hills,' he said."

"That's the hilly wooded region around the Barron County-Rusk County Line (just east of Rice Lake--J.T.) where a preliminary search turned up the tracks this week, he said." (See the Duluth, Minnesota News-Tribune for November 6, 1997, "Bigfoot Searcher Targets Wisconsin," page B-3)



Source: Newspaper article published November 7, 1997 in the Pioneer Press. (from the AP wire) I believe this is the same story that was printed in the Duluth, Minnesota News-Tribune, (mentioned in the previous story) -Jim
From http://www.moneymaker.org/BFRR/GDB/CNTS/WI/BA/wi_ba001.htm Posted to the BFRR web site by Matt M



Are Big Footprints Bigfoot's?

RICE LAKE, WIS.

Bigfoot in Wisconsin?

That's the possibility under investigation in the Rice Lake area, about 70 miles northeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Brad Mortenson of the U.S. Expedition and Exploration Society said three tracks found Monday could be from the mysterious -- some say mythi cal -- ape-like creature known as Bigfoot. He describes the tracks as about 16 to 17 1/2 inches long and 8 inches wide at the widest. Asked about the shape, he said: "It looks like a big foot. It's very distinct." One print showed five toes, he said, and the impressions indicated a creature with a stride of about 4 1/2 feet, typical for the Bigfoot.

Mortenson, 41, of Sarona, said he started receiving reports about possible Bigfoot activity after a local newspaper story two weeks ago told about his work with the society, based in Doris, Calif.

"After that we started getting the reports of people across the tracks in the Blue Hills," he said.

That's the hilly, wooded region around the Barron County-Rusk County line where a preliminary search turned up the tracks this week, he said.

He said he planned to do more preliminary searching, and if enough signs are found, the society would bring in equipment and personnel for a full search.

"I'd like to be a little more certain . . . before I commit the society to the expense of a full-scale expedition," he said.

The Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is said to inhabit remote regions of the Pacific Northwest, but Mortenson said there also have been a lot of sightings in Florida, Ohio and Maine.

He said he became involved searching for Bigfoot in northern California in the 1970s, and he now serves as the society's international director of operations.



Source: WISN-TV, Milwaukee, Channel 12. 10:00 pm newscast on November 14, 1997.



Jerry Taff:
We are however, going to need some tracking snow up north.

Mark Baden (Meteorologist):
That's correct.

Jerry Taff:
Yes, because Bigfoot is up there, or Sasquatch, or the missing link, or whatever you want to call him. An elusive creature has captured the attention of a northwestern Wisconsin community.

Kathy Mykleby:
Yes, Bigfoot trackers are hunting the woods near Rice Lake after several area residents reported sightings. Colleen Henry tagged along.

Colleen Henry:
Brad Mortenson has spent years hunting Bigfoot, but this search is his first in his own backyard.

Brad Mortenson:
I've never seen it. I've been close enough to smell it. Seen a lot of tracks.

Colleen Henry:
Reports rolled in after Rice Lake's paper featured Mortenson's work for the California based U.S. Expedition and Exploration Service. Reports vary from finding footprints along the ice age trail to actual sitings. One woman told Mortenson Bigfoot crossed the road right in front of her van.

Brad Mortenson:
She said it stood taller than the van. It went across the road in two strides - two, three strides - and it just appeared, was there in the headlights, and disappeared.

Colleen Henry:
Bigfoot is elusive. He lives in the woods and moves quickly. Witnesses say he's there, and then he's gone, which leaves trackers looking for evidence left behind. Bigfoot hairs or footprints, like this cast made in Northern California.

Brad Mortenson:
It sure looks like a large human foot.

Colleen Henry:
Trackers say the best evidence was captured on film by a California man in the 60's. A tall hairy primate walking upright retreating back into the woods. Still, there are skeptics - many right here in the Blue Hills.

Unidentified diner:
"I think it's somebody having a costume on walking around."

Colleen Henry:
At Maxine's, Rice Lake's favorite lunch spot, some diners say they'll believe it when they see it.

Jeanne Alvarez (Blue Hills resident):
"Nope, never seen it. No, never seen any big footprints either."

Colleen Henry:
Bob Costenero said he wasn't a believer until the 200 pound dinner bell at his Blue Hills Inn began ringing in the night.

Bob Costenero:
"Yeah, I thought maybe the wind moved the clapper, ya know."

Colleen Henry:
Costenero said locals have long told the legend of the "Blue Hills Beast" but he says all this Bigfoot talk, and his bell, have him wondering.

Bob Costenero:
"No dear track, no bear track, just the bell ringing. Actually, UFO's scare the shit out of me. Bigfoot doesn't."

Colleen Henry:
Brad Mortenson says Bigfoot is no phantom. Just a primate species yet to be scientifically identified.

Brad Mortenson:
The snow leopard and the giant panda - at one time or another those were all considered myths and people who were looking for them were laughed at.

Colleen Henry:
When it comes to Bigfoot, Mortenson hopes he'll have the last laugh.
In the Blue Hills, Colleen Henry, 12 News at 10:00.

Kathy Mykleby:
Mortenson says Bigfoot sightings are kept strictly confidential. He wouldn't identify anyone who reported sightings in Rice Lake. If you have seen Bigfoot, you can contact the U.S. Expedition and Exploration Service through Brad Mortenson in Rice Lake.

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