BWBS Ep:84 Bigfoot Vs. Humans: The Shadow War

On April 12, 1966, a family picnic in America's first national park turned into one of the most baffling missing persons cases in American history. Eight-year-old Dennis Johnson was visiting Yellowstone with his parents William and Betty and his three sisters when his seven-year-old sister Mary wandered off.Dennis and his father split up to search for her. William found Mary quickly, but when he returned to the Cascade Picnic Area, Dennis had vanished without a trace.What followed was one of the most intensive search operations in Yellowstone's history – spanning 100 square miles, employing helicopters, bloodhounds, and dozens of searchers. Despite three weeks of exhaustive efforts costing over $14,000 (equivalent to more than $100,000 today), not a single clue was found. No footprints. No clothing. No evidence whatsoever.Fifty-eight years later, Dennis Johnson remains missing, his fate unknown.In This EpisodeThe detailed timeline of April 12, 1966, and how a moment's separation led to decades of mysteryWhy the search for Dennis was particularly challenging, and the technical aspects of a 1960s-era wilderness searchThe baffling behavior of bloodhounds that couldn't pick up any scent trailFive leading theories of what might have happened to Dennis, and why none can fully explain his complete disappearanceHow the Johnson family turned to a psychic in their desperate search for answersWhat makes wilderness disappearances unique, and the concept of "ambiguous loss"The statistical context: how rare cases like Dennis's are compared to millions of safe Yellowstone visitsHow the case has informed modern search and rescue techniques and park safety protocols

27 Apr 1h 25min

Tonight, Brian shares the never-before-told story of Thomas, a fur trapper whose life was forever changed after a terrifying encounter with sasquatch in the remote Canadian wilderness during February 1987.This first-hand account challenges everything we think we know about these mysterious creatures. What Mercer experienced reveals them to be intelligent, communicative, and potentially dangerous beings with complex social structures and territorial behaviors. His haunting experience raises profound questions about what these creatures truly are and our responsibility toward them.The story begins as Thomas, a third-generation fur trapper, flies his bush plane to his remote family cabin in the Northwest Territories to begin his winter trapping season. Almost immediately upon arrival, Mercer discovers massive, human-like footprints circling his cabin—nearly 20 inches long with a stride length twice that of a human.Over the following days, Mercer encounters increasingly bizarre evidence: traps carefully disarmed with ritualistic arrangements of objects nearby, complex vocal communications between multiple creatures echoing through the forest, and deliberate attempts to test his cabin's defenses through systematic tapping and probing of the structure.Most chilling of all, the creatures attempt direct communication.First through arrangements of natural objects in geometric patterns, then through mimicked human speech—even speaking Mercer's name and referring to his deceased father. In broken English, they suggest they need an "alliance" against other humans hunting them, hinting at a government or private organization aware of their existence.When Mercer attempts to escape in his plane, he's forced to shoot one of the creatures that charges him from behind. In a moment that has haunted him for decades, the wounded sasquatch looks him in the eye and asks simply, "Why?"In the thirty years since this encounter, Mercer has dedicated his life to sasquatch research, building one of the most comprehensive private databases of encounters in North America.Through his research, he discovered another harrowing account from the Olympic Peninsula, where a logging crew's encounter ended in a gruesome death—evidence that these beings aren't always the gentle forest giants of popular imagination.We should note that this episode contains descriptions of violence and disturbing content that may not be suitable for all listeners. Discretion is advised.Thomas Mercer, whose name has been changed at his request, was 25 years old during his encounter in 1987. Now in his sixties, he's spent decades researching similar encounters while maintaining his anonymity. This marks the first time he's shared his complete story publicly.

25 Apr 1h 2min

In this episode, Brian sharesencounters with mysterious creatures and unexplained phenomena from remote wilderness areas. From Whisper Creek in Montana's Glacier National Park, Iron Ridge ghost town, and Dead Man's Hollow in Kentucky to Black Hollow and Widow's Crag, each story recounts experiences with eerie sounds, inexplicable footprints, and terrifying sightings of Bigfoot-like creatures. These tales serve as haunting reminders that some places are meant to be left alone and that not everyone who ventures into the unknown makes it back the same. Also, hear about unexpected sightings on Idaho's notorious Broken Antler Pass and forthcoming adventures in the 'National Park Nightmares' series.00:00 The Legend of Whisper Creek 04:44 A Haunting in Iron Ridge 08:29 The Mystery of Dead Man's Hollow 12:49 Terror on Broken Antler Pass 17:00 The Curse of Widow's Crag 21:22 Escape from Black Hollow 25:49 Conclusion and Podcast Promotion

23 Apr 31min

In today's special storytelling episode, I'm thrilled to share an original tale I've created called "The Unlikely Guardians:  Bigfoot Saves Easter. This heartwarming adventure follows Bartholomew, the last Sasquatch of the Pacific Northwest, whose carefully isolated life is upended when he discovers a set of unusual footprints in the late winter snow. Following them leads to an encounter with none other than Edmund Cottontail, the Easter Bunny himself, who is in desperate need of help. The magical Egg of Renewal has been stolen by Jack Frost, threatening to trap the world in endless winter and prevent Easter from happening at all.What follows is a journey across magical landscapes as these natural opposites—a reclusive wilderness dweller and the embodiment of spring celebration—form an unlikely alliance. Their adventure takes them through ancient forests, across frozen plains, and eventually to the edge of reality itself as they confront not just Jack Frost but the shadowy powers manipulating him. Throughout their quest, Bart and Edmund discover that their differences actually create a perfect harmony when combined with Jack's winter magic, forming a balanced force capable of restoring nature's cycles.The story explores how friendship can emerge in the most unexpected places, and how the balance between wilderness, winter, and renewal is essential for the natural world to flourish. We witness Bart's transformation from a solitary observer who has hidden from the world for centuries into someone who finds purpose in connection and community. It's a modern fairy tale about how isolation ends when we open ourselves to new possibilities and how seemingly opposite forces can unite for a greater purpose.

20 Apr 3h 18min

In this haunting episode, we delve into one of Yellowstone National Park's most perplexing cold cases — the 1991 disappearance of Dan Campbell and his loyal dog Freckles.Our journey begins with Dan Campbell, a 42-year-old Montana man whose life had reached a crossroads by the spring of 1991. Living in Big Timber and struggling with mounting financial troubles, Campbell was looking for a way out. Standing 5'8" and weighing about 165 pounds, with the weathered face of someone comfortable in the outdoors, he had recently begun making plans to relocate to White Sulphur Springs, but needed money to finance the move.According to his brother Billy, Dan had started "running with some pretty shady characters" who introduced him to the lucrative world of illegal shed hunting — a dangerous underground economy that would ultimately lead to his disappearance.The dark underbelly of shed hunting in Yellowstone had evolved into what insiders called "the antler wars" by the early 1990s. With elk antlers selling for up to $15 per pound on the black market, what began as an innocent springtime hobby had transformed into a fiercely competitive criminal enterprise. Reports from the time suggest that certain areas of the park had been carved up into informal territories by competing groups of poachers, some allegedly carrying semiautomatic weapons to guard their claimed hunting grounds. Into this dangerous world stepped Dan Campbell, desperately seeking quick cash.On April 4, 1991, Campbell set off with his Australian shepherd-heeler mix named Freckles from the Hellroaring trailhead, planning a four-day trek to exit near Jardine, Montana, where his girlfriend Tracy Erb would pick him up on April 8. Dressed in blue Levi's jeans and a blue coat, he carried basic survival supplies in his backpack, along with the expectation of returning with valuable shed antlers. What he couldn't have anticipated was the treacherous journey that awaited him.The Hellroaring Trail itself presents a formidable challenge even to experienced hikers. Beginning with a steep 600-foot descent over switchbacks to reach a suspension bridge spanning the Yellowstone River, the trail then traverses an expansive sagebrush plateau before dropping down to Hellroaring Creek. As Campbell navigated this difficult terrain, a powerful spring storm moved in on April 5th, dumping up to a foot of fresh snow across portions of the park and sending temperatures plummeting.This sudden weather change would not only challenge Campbell's wilderness skills but would later severely hamper search efforts.When April 8 arrived with no sign of Campbell at the designated pickup location, Tracy Erb reported him missing. Park rangers immediately launched what's known in search and rescue terminology as a "bastard search" — checking obvious locations to confirm he wasn't simply elsewhere — before initiating a full-scale operation. Ground teams and, when weather permitted, aerial search units scoured Campbell's planned route, battling the aftermath of the snowstorm that had left up to a foot of fresh snow obscuring any tracks or evidence.Despite weeks of intensive searching across multiple locations, not a single trace of Campbell or his dog was ever found — no backpack, no clothing, no equipment, and perhaps most tellingly, not even Freckles.This complete absence of evidence pushed Campbell's brothers to consider darker possibilities. As the search transitioned to an investigation, Rod and Bill Campbell, along with their third brother, transformed from grieving family members into relentless advocates. Bill's own investigation uncovered that there had reportedly been 14 other horn hunters in the area on the day Dan went missing, and one of them claimed to have heard two gunshots. This discovery aligned with the family's growing suspicion that Dan had been murdered by rival shed hunters protecting their territory. The Campbell brothers' frustration with official efforts peaked in July 1991 when they filed a lawsuit against Park County Montana Sheriff Charlie Johnson, seeking $100,000 each for what they claimed was a botched investigation. They were particularly outraged by the sheriff's decision to return potential evidence — ammunition and spent cartridges confiscated from two horn hunters legally camping outside the park's northern boundaries — without subjecting these items to forensic testing. "If Dan's in the park, he's buried," Rod Campbell told reporters, reflecting their conviction that their brother met with foul play rather than a wilderness accident.As investigators weighed the evidence, three main theories emerged about Campbell's fate. The natural causes theory suggested he might have succumbed to hypothermia during the snowstorm, suffered a fatal injury on the rugged terrain, or encountered a grizzly bear emerging hungry from hibernation. The voluntary disappearance theory, which law enforcement initially considered due to Campbell's financial troubles, proposed that he might have staged his own disappearance to escape mounting debts. The foul play theory, championed by Campbell's family, posited that he had been murdered by rival shed hunters, with the snowstorm providing ideal cover for the crime and hampering subsequent searches.Each theory had strengths and weaknesses. The natural causes explanation failed to account for the complete absence of any trace, including the dog. The voluntary disappearance scenario seemed unlikely given Campbell's attachment to Freckles and his concrete plans for the future.The foul play theory addressed many puzzling aspects of the case but lacked definitive evidence. This ambiguity has allowed the mystery to persist for more than three decades, making it one of Yellowstone's most enduring cold cases.Today, Campbell's disappearance stands as a sobering reminder of both the wilderness dangers and human hazards that persist in Yellowstone. The illegal shed antler trade continues, with recent cases demonstrating its evolution and the ongoing risks it presents. In 2023, an Idaho man was charged with attempting to transport and sell more than 1,000 pounds of poached antlers valued at approximately $18,000, resulting in substantial fines and a hunting ban. While regulations have tightened and enforcement has improved since Campbell's day, the fundamental dynamics that may have contributed to his disappearance remain: valuable natural resources, limited oversight capacity, and the human willingness to risk legal penalties for financial gain.For those who venture into Yellowstone's backcountry today, Campbell's story serves as a haunting reminder that beneath the park's spectacular beauty lies a landscape that can still harbor both natural perils and human darkness. As we conclude our exploration of this mysterious disappearance, we're left with the same questions that have troubled investigators and family members for decades: What really happened to Dan Campbell and Freckles on that April journey in 1991? And will we ever know the truth?Our research for this episode draws on extensive sources, including original search and rescue reports, interviews with former park rangers, newspaper archives from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Freedom of Information Act documents released by the Department of Interior, Campbell family statements, and expert analysis on Yellowstone terrain, weather patterns, and wildlife behavior. Yet despite this wealth of information, Dan Campbell's fate remains one of the park's most persistent mysteries — a story that continues to fascinate and disturb more than thirty years after he vanished without a trace.

20 Apr 1h 7min

In this chilling episode, we dive deep into the mysterious Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, where moonshine and monsters collide in a story that spans generations. Join us as we unravel the tale of Jim, a master moonshiner whose knowledge of the mountains led to prosperity—and ultimately, his mysterious disappearance in 1972.This haunting narrative, told from the perspective of his grandson, explores how Jim used the feared presence of Sasquatch creatures to keep revenue agents and competitors away from his illegal stills in an area locals called "Booger Holler." But as we'll discover, nature always collects its debts, and some territories should never be trespassed—no matter how profitable they might be.This haunting tale explores themes of territory, respect for nature, and the price of hubris. The Appalachian Mountains have long been home to tales of strange creatures and unexplained phenomena, with "Booger" being a common mountain term for ghost or monster. While science may not acknowledge the existence of Sasquatch, many mountain communities have their own stories of encounters with something not quite human that protects the deepest, most isolated hollows.Moonshining itself has a rich history in the Appalachians, where distilling skills were passed down through generations and became both an economic necessity and a point of cultural pride for many families. The tension between moonshiners and "revenuers" (federal agents) created a perfect environment for legends to thrive—especially those that kept strangers away from secret still locations.Listener DiscretionThis episode contains descriptions of implied violence and intense situations that may not be suitable for younger listeners. While not graphically depicted, the story suggests the fate of those who venture too far into territories they aren't welcome in.What did you think of this episode? Do you have your own strange tales from isolated mountain hollers? Let us know on our social media channels or leave a review.Website: https://paranormalworldproductions.com/ Instagram: @bigfootbks TikTok @bigfootbks

15 Apr 46min

Deep in the shadows of Mount St. Helens, five gold prospectors experienced a night of terror that would forever mark their lives and give birth to one of America's most enduring wilderness mysteries.In this episode, we transport you to July 1924, when Fred Beck, the steady leader of a small mining operation, fired three shots at a strange, towering figure glimpsed across a canyon. Little did he know that as darkness fell, his cabin would become a fortress under siege.Join us as we follow Fred, Gabe Lefever, John Peterson, Marion Smith, and his son Roy through their harrowing ordeal—rocks and massive objects raining down on their roof, glimpses of seven-foot creatures moving through moonlit shadows, and the heart-stopping moment when a massive, hair-covered arm reached through their window.As dawn broke over Mount St. Helens, the men discovered fourteen-inch footprints surrounding their cabin, evidence of something science couldn't explain.Their story would reach The Oregonian newspaper under the headline "Ape Men Sought," and a remote gorge would forever be known as "Ape Canyon. "Ninety-nine years later, we examine what really happened during that midsummer night and why Fred Beck maintained the truth of their encounter until his death, insisting they had confronted something unknown in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.Share your own wilderness encounter: brian@paranormalworldproductions.com

8 Apr 51min