As convoluted as Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, folklore can be: Oklahoma takes the cake on this one. Maybe it is an effort of ecotourism gone askew, or a desperate attempt to gather more efforts in the Bigfoot search, but Oklahoma State Representative, Justin Humphrey, is trying to get an interesting bill passed. Beginning on January 27th, a new bill was introduced to the state legislature trying to open up license for a Big Foot Hunting Season.
Let that sink in for a moment.
In his defense for reaching out to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, Humphrey said:
“A lot of people don’t believe in Bigfoot, but a lot of people do… I have never heard Bigfoot, but I have some people that I know that are good, solid people who I will guarantee you 100% have said they have had experience with Bigfoot. So, I know there are people out there that you will not convince that Bigfoot doesn’t exist.”
Humphrey has sparked this campaign in an effort to generate buzz for the Bigfoot Festival planned in Oklahoma for October. To promote the festival, the politician has made an offer that causes even the most Bigfoot skeptic to raise an eyebrow: a $25,000 cash prize to anyone who brings in a living, breathing and unharmed sasquatch.
Humphrey seems confident in his bounty to reign in tourists from all over the country. It should be safe, affordable, and, most importantly, fun! In an interview, Humphrey told the press:
“We [are] having fun with it. It’s a lot of fun. I’m enjoying it. But at the same time, I know a lot of people thought I was crazy. But, I think if people chill out, [they could] see that this could be a serious deal bringing in a lot of money, a lot of tourism.”
Is he wrong? Absolutely not! Sustainable tourism has been a drawing lure to Hawaii for decades, and Humphrey hopes to encourage tourists to explore the natural landscape of Oklahoma in their efforts to find Bigfoot.
The 54-year-old legislator told Associated Press:
“Establishing an actual hunting season and issuing licenses for people who want to hunt Bigfoot will just draw more people to our already beautiful part of the state. It will be a great way for people to enjoy our area and to have some fun.”
Currently, the bill has not been approved. However, the $25,000 prize has been increased exponentially to $2.1 million dollars! How is that for sweetening the deal? If Bigfoot isn’t your cup of tea– maybe mystical, deep-sea creatures are more of your thing?
