I am new to this forum but a long time Sasquatch enthusiast. In having had several of my own encounters with these animals over the years, the question of appropriate caliber choices has been one of intense study. As a former Law Enforcement Officer and being a life long Hunter of both bear and deer, with emphasis placed on bear now days, There are things that must be considered before this question can be reasonably addressed!
The first of which is assessing the actual need to be armed if an encounter with these animals should occur. I make a habit out of being suitably armed whenever I go out into the woods in areas where I frequently hunt bears. As it happens, bear and Sasquatch tend to use the same areas but bears will leave when the other arrives. Bears being unpredictable, I am armed in preparation for a bad bear encounter. The Sasquatch encounter that I had in 92 was much less of a concern, and there were three of them with which I had to contend! I was armed at that time as well, but not intentionally due to Sasquatch being present, rather because I knew the bears would be there and thick to boot!
I am perfectly satisfied that a "type specimen" of a Sasquatch is needed for science to establish thier existence and then letting nature take it's course as being the only logical conclusion to the entire question of thier existence. With that, I am also willing to take on the responsibility of bringing in said "type specimen", and have made preparations to deal with any eventual opportunity that may arise in that regard.
The issue of shot placement is vital to obtaining a clean and humane kill on an animal that deserves our utmost respect, Sasquatch certainly do. Using a caliber in rifle or handgun that is up to the task is ofcourse, the only intelligent means but placement of the shot is going to be paramount in order to eliminate any suffering that the animal may otherwise be put through. In studying the skull reconstruction that Dr. Krantz created in attempts to learn what the skull configuration on these animals are, reveals that getting to the brain with a bullet is not going to be so easy if we are to preserve as much of the tissue intact as possible. We are limited as to the angle and sure kill zone that a head shot offers, but a bullet that gets there will provide an instant kill without concern for suffering.
Another area that would provide for instant death is the spinal column, providing that thier skeletal make up is as similar to humans as is suspected. Shot placement there, out of neccessity, would have to be placed high and precisely centered to achieve the desired effect.
The pelvic girdle is the remaining target zone and ranks third, as it should, as this is clearly a last resort for stopping a charge and is the largest target zone. A shot delivered here would have the effect of taking out the legs, so that the animal could not keep advancing at will, but could keep coming if its desire to get to you were strong enough, by pulling itself along with it's arms and hands. It would still need a "coup de grace" shot to the brain to finish it.
The .44 magnum handgun with a proper load would suffice for an expert handgun hunter/shooter as would the newer and larger bore revolvers of recent times; 454 casul, 480 Ruger etc.
The rifle and caliber that I have personally selected for my use in bear hunting and the other supposed task, is lever action rifle in 45-70, using hand loaded ammunition. This rifle and ammo combination is extremely powerful and capable of handling large and dangerous game of most any kind, including the big bears up north.
I do not wish to project the image that I believe that everyone should be out there trying to hunt down and bring in a Sasquatch. I do not believe that there are actually many people that would be capable of handling such a thing in a proper way and have the resources to do it right! I think that these animals need recognition and protection, and am against taking these animals for any but scientific purposes.
The idea of using sprays and traquilizers on an animal who's physical capability and metabolism we know nothing about, seems to me, to be risky at best. I should think that an enraged Sasquatch with an eye full of pepper spray would be very much more likely to want to pull you apart like a "play-dough doll"!!! I think it best to be either well armed, or not armed at all, or even perhaps stay out of harms way entirely!
We must all remember that we are dealing in theory and speculation where these animals are concerned, and have no room for being wrong when dealing with such a huge and powerful animal that could be capable of combining that with anger and take out its frustration on an un-prepared individual or group. I think too, that we should consider the potential threat that a wounded,unrecovered Sasquatch may represent!
These are my thoughts on a very controversial subject, I in no way intend for them to generate ill-will or other such emotion, and ask that all who read this do so with an open mind in the interest of furthering science and the protection of this magnificent animal.
Posted on May 10, 2002, 1:16 PM from IP address 216.64.140.6